Hikers on alpine glacier, Mont Blanc, Chamonix, France

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A glacial pace. The icy allure of Mont Blanc

These brave Alpine hikers have gone to great lengths - and heights - for the chance to fill their lungs with some freezing mountain air. Mountain hiking is a popular winter sport here in the famous Mont Blanc massif mountain range. At 15,774ft (4,808m), Mont Blanc itself is the highest mountain in western Europe, straddling France and Italy. This photograph was taken on the French side, overlooking the famous ski resort of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. There are lots of ways to get around this icy landscape, from snowshoeing to cross-country skiing, and many take the opportunity to immerse themselves in nature and enjoy these tranquil surroundings at their own pace. If they are quiet enough, they might even come face to face with the chamois Alpine goats which inhabit this region.