This summer's record-breaking temperatures are having widespread consequences, including on mountains. As a result of the heatwaves and drought conditions in Europe, Mont Blanc has been deemed too dangerous to ascend the summit.
In France, the high temperatures, as well as lack of snow and ice, are making the mountain surface unstable. The conditions on the mountain make climbing it hazardous, even for seasoned climbers.
The lack of snow means the glaciers are covered in fissures, which in some areas have grey or yellow tinges due to sand from the Sahara.
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Unusually high temperatures has caused further damage, melting the snow that had made it possible to cross crevasses and sending huge boulders crashing down.
Faced with dangerous conditions, many mountain climbers have been forced to cancel their ascent of the highest point in the Alps.
