© SeeChamonix.com
Goûter hits record numbers for summer 2018
11,258 beds sold since opening for the season at the end of May
Despite ongoing restrictions put in place to limit the numbers of people attempting to summit Mont Blanc by the voie normal this summer, a record 11,258 overnight stays took place at the Refuge du Goûter, 80% of its total maximum capacity.
It was a busy season on Mont Blanc with the 120-person capacity Gouter on the 'classic' route booked out entirely as of early as June. The mountain refuge closed it's doors for the season on October 1st after its busiest season since opening five years ago. It is a dramatic increase when compared to last year's figure of 9,650 stays. Due to increased volume, a number of restrictions were put in place over the summer to limit numbers, including an order barring anyone without a reservation for the refuge from attempting the summit via this route.
The prefecture of Haute-Savoie initially took the action after the Mayor of Saint-Gervais, Jean-Marc Peillex, warned of overcrowding at the refuge, and accused department officials of not enforcing the laws and regulations regarding Mont Blanc access and reservations at the mountain refuges. A number of new measures have been suggested by Peillex for 2019, including a daily cap of 214 climbers, the issuing of permits, fines, and the creation of a "brigade blanche" to make sure these rules are followed.
More inspiration...
For more about climbing Mont Blanc and alternate routes, check out our guide here. It is highly recommended that you hire a mountain guide to attempt any route on the Mont Blanc.
