Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe, is undergoing significant changes due to climate warming. Glaciers that have long defined the mountain are retreating, and permafrost—frozen ground that has historically stabilized the rocky terrain—is thawing. This has led to an increase in rock falls and overall instability in the region. For centuries, communities in France and Italy have lived near the mountain, relying on the glaciers and snow that give Mont Blanc its name. However, rising temperatures are now transforming the landscape at an alarming pace. This summer’s record heat waves across Europe have accelerated the thawing of permafrost, weakening cliffs and increasing the risk of rock falls. One of the most dangerous gullies on Mont Blanc became temporarily impassable due to falling rocks. Stéphane Bozon, a deputy mayor in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, noted that the town has experienced more frequent rock falls and areas that are now difficult to access because of glacial retreat and increased snowmelt. On the Aiguille du Midi peak, average July temperatures have risen significantly, with this July being the warmest on record according to Meteo France. Bozon described the mountain as "drying out" and experiencing "unusual temperatures" that are reshaping the environment. The effects of climate change are not limited to the Alps. Recent floods in the Himalayas, caused by the collapse of bedrock and glacier ice, highlight the growing risks associated with global warming. In Italy, Alpine glaciers have lost over 40% of their surface area since 1991, according to the region’s glacier service. Vanda Bonardo, head of the Italian branch of the International Commission for the Protection of the Alps, noted that high-altitude snowfall has been increasingly replaced by rain, which affects the stability of the terrain. Ludovic Ravanel, a researcher at Savoie Mont Blanc University, reported a significant rise in rock falls, estimating that this year’s total in the Mont Blanc massif could reach around 400—about 10 times more than in the early 2000s. Climbing guides and experts have also observed the dramatic changes in the mountain’s landscape. Stuart MacDonald, a Mont Blanc climbing guide, described the rapid retreat of glaciers and the challenges posed by melting ice and rock falls, which forced him to cancel a planned summit expedition. According to MacDonald, some climbing routes that were once accessible are now impossible to use due to the altered terrain. As the mountain continues to change, the impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly visible, affecting both the natural environment and human activities in the region.