UM at the summit of Mont Blanc
Taking the University of Montpellier to the top of Europe is the project carried out by students and faculty members of SUAPS. Their ascent of Mont Blanc took place from September 10 to 16. Here’s the story.
“Climbing Mont Blanc requires not only incredible physical effort but also true mental fortitude. For me, the final stretch of the climb turned into a real mental challenge!” recalls Camille.
Intensive course
Last year, the sixth-year medical student took part in an intensive mid-mountain hiking course organized by SUAPS, the university’s physical and sports activities department. Three days and two nights at the Font Romeu high-altitude training center with a single goal: pushing oneself beyond one’s limits in the face of the cold, stress, lack of sleep, and the physical and mental fatigue inherent in endurance efforts in the mountains. “During this trip, we wanted to identify the profiles best suited to the project—then still in its infancy—of bringing together students from different parts of the university who had never practiced mountaineering before, united by a common goal: the ascent of Mont Blanc, ” the SUAPS told us.
An unforgettable climb
In early September, Noémie, a student atthe Montpellier-Sète University Institute of Technology (IUT), Pablo, a doctoral student, and Justine and Benjamin, students atthe UFR Staps, gathered at the foot of the Alpine peaks alongside Camille. After two days of acclimatization at an altitude of 2,700 meters and a crash course in glacier walking, the five students began their ascent of Europe’s highest peak on September 14. A two-day climb, supervised by three SUAPS instructors and led by two experienced high-mountain guides. “Near the Crête des Bosses, we sometimes had only 20 cm of space to walk on, with a precipice on either side! ” recalls Noémie, feeling both nostalgic and moved as she recalls that immense joy, the laughter, the tears, and the general euphoria upon the team’s perilous arrival at an altitude of 4,808 meters.
Sustainability?
“Meeting people from all walks of life, learning to live together, supporting one another through tough times… The benefits of this incredible human adventure will undoubtedly serve us well in the future. During our internships, at the end of our studies, and then in our respective professional lives,” reflects the young woman today, who, nearly six months after the climb, seems to have already forgotten the pain of frostbite, cramps, and blisters, altitude sickness, or even the gradual loss of oxygen during exertion, retaining only the best of her experience. “Provided that new instructors step up, this project could be sustained in the future,” explains the SUAPS administration today, as if in response to the massive enthusiasm of students from all departments for this sports project—one that is unifying, rich in emotion, and full of humanity.
The climb up Mont Blanc by Camille, Noémie, Benjamin, Pablo, and Justine was financially supported by the Fund for Solidarity and Development of Student Initiatives (FSDIE).
Playing sports in college
Tennis, swimming, hiking, salsa, rock climbing, combat sports… During the academic year, SUAPS offers no fewer than 40 free sports activities open to university staff and students.
Whether during your lunch break or after work, SUAPS welcomes you at various UM locations with programs suited to all skill levels and professional instruction.