Rab athlete Anna DeMonte has set a new women’s ski Fastest Known Time (FKT) on Mont Blanc’s Grand Mulets route. On June 5th, the Utah-based mountaineer completed the course in an impressive 7 hours and 29 minutes, carrying all her own gear. A video documenting the project is now available on YouTube.
- Related: American Athlete Anna DeMonte Sets New Record Time for Summiting Mont Blanc, France, on Skis
DeMonte’s time came within two minutes of the women’s overall FKT, set by Hillary Gerardi, after a 100-foot slip on the icy ascent. The route, covering approximately 12,600 vertical feet, combines technical trail running, steep ski mountaineering, and complex glacier travel.
“I am both happy and humbled with the effort I put together. We put so much time and focus into training, scouting, acclimatizing, and waiting, all in a new country, and still, conditions were far from optimal. I’m stoked to have done this in a style I am proud of, carrying all of my own equipment from start to finish.”
– Anna DeMonte
DeMonte and her partner, Jack Kuenzle, spent this spring in Chamonix pursuing adventure and new challenges. It soon became clear to her that she wanted to attempt an FKT on Mont Blanc.
The Grand Mulets route presents a true challenge, including a 3,300-foot trail climb past the Mont Blanc tunnel, traversing the Bossons glacier, navigating massive crevasses and seracs, and ascending the Arete des Bosses to the summit. The descent involves a thrilling ski down the north face, which DeMonte described as “one of the best skis I’ve ever done.”
The conditions during the descent were better. “The downhill was a dream. Some fresh powder on the north face of Mont Blanc followed by super firm and fast conditions down to 2,000 meters (6,500 feet),” said DeMonte.
Anna’s partner, Jack Kuenzle, also set a new ski FKT on the same day, which lasted four hours and 59 minutes; however, the couple made the ascent separately. Jack Kuenzle’s time is two minutes slower than Kilian Jornet’s FKT of 4:57 on foot.
Anna De Monte is an American ski mountaineer and multi-sport athlete from Salt Lake City, Utah. She used to be a competitive swimmer and almost qualified for the Olympics before she picked up road and mountain biking and then moved to backcountry skiing.
Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in the Alps. Its peak is situated at 15,771 feet. The first ascent was made in 1786. The mountain is located at Italy’s border with France and can be approached from both sides. Mountaineers usually take the Gouter route from Chamonix, France, to the summit and split the ascent over two days.
DeMonte hopes her achievement will inspire more women to attempt speed ski efforts on Mont Blanc.
