A Belgian alpinist and long-distance hiker, Sander Van Poeck, crossed the Alps from east to west in six months – covering 2,576 kilometres and slightly more than 166,612 metres in elevation gain. On Monday, he arrived in Monaco.
Van Poeck started his journey on 13 April in Muggia (Italy), on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. From there he went to Slovenia, Austria, Italy again, Switzerland, France and Monaco along the highest peaks of the Alps, such as the Dufourspitze (4,634m) in the Monte Rosa massif, the Matterhorn (4,478m) and the Mont Blanc (4,809m), the highest point in the Alps.
"The body has suffered but as a mountaineer, I feel honoured to be part of this incredible environment and at the same time I feel obliged to draw attention to the effects of climate change on it," he said. He urged everyone to examine their own CO2 emissions.
While he took most of the journey alone, Van Poeck was accompanied by trail partners during some of his climbs. He spent the night in his tent or in mountain huts. If these were not available, he had to rely on more unusual places, such as a cowshed or an abandoned ski resort.
Humbling experience
Reporting about the trip on his website, Van Poeck describes the visible impact of climate change in the Alps. He explains that temperatures in the Alps are about 2°C higher than in the pre-industrial era, and therefore also higher than the global average of 1.5°C. He saw how glaciers are retreating, how weather patterns are changing and how the fragility of the alpine ecosystem is being exposed.
"It is hard to describe the feeling of finalising this project when arriving at the coast in Monaco after almost six months in the mountains at high altitude," Van Poeck said. "But I am grateful for the privilege of being able to do this and eternally humble for being part as a mountaineer of this wonderful part of nature."
