BLANC, MONT, the culminating point (15,782 ft.) of the mountain range of the same name which lies within French, Swiss and Italian territory. The summit is wholly French and is the loftiest peak in the Alps, and in Europe also, if certain peaks in the Caucasus be excluded. It divides the valley of Chamonix from that of Courmayeur. Among the great glaciers which radi ate from this centre are those of Bossons, and Taconnaz (north ern slope) and of Brenva and Miage (southern slope). The first ascent was made in 1786 by two Chamonix men, Jacques Balmat and Dr. Michel Paccard, and the second in 1787 by Balmat with two local men. Later in 1787 H. B. de Saussure made the third ascent, and was followed a week later by Col. Beaufoy, the first Englishman to gain the top. These ascents were all made from Chamonix, but since then routes have been forced up the peak from nearly every side, those on the Italian side being much steeper than that from Chamonix. The ascent from Chamonix is now frequently made in summer (rarely in winter also), but, owing to the great height of the mountain, the view is unsatis factory, though very extensive (Lyons is visible). There is an inn at the Grands Mulets (9,9o9ft.). In 1890 M. Vallot built an observatory and shelter hut (14,312ft.) on the Bosses du Drom adaire (north-west ridge of the mountain), and in 1893 T. J. C. Janssen constructed an observatory lust below the very summit. Both no longer exist.
See C. E. Mathews, The Annals of Mont Blanc (1898) ; L. Kurz and X. Imfeld, Carte de la chaine du Mont Blanc 0896, new ed. 19o5) ; Ch. Vallot, L. W. Collet, J. Vallot, Guide du Massif du Mont Blanc (1924)•