Extremely high temperatures in the Alps are raising the risks for climbers on Mont Blanc, with mountain guides and local authorities considering suspending ascents along some of the more popular routes. The danger is linked to the rapid melting of snow, glaciers, and permafrost, the "natural cement" that binds rock walls together. This phenomena is causing a rise in rockfall, particularly at the Couloir du Goûter, one of the most precarious sections of the traditional French route to the top. The situation has received additional attention following the deaths of two climbers on the French side of the mountain, who were washed away by a rockfall at above 3,300 meters. Mountain guides have also reported the absence of ice at high altitude. According to French authorities, the continuous heat of recent weeks has had an impact on conditions on the summit. No official climbing ban has been announced, but numerous mountain guides are refusing to accompany clients on routes judged too dangerous. Similar procedures were already implemented in the summer of 2022, amid another extreme heatwave. Mountaineering caution warnings have also been issued in Italy, and several high-altitude routes and facilities have been restricted for safety concerns.