Where do we want Mont Blanc to be?

Question

Sophia Maul died in 1870 while climbing Mont Blanc on her honeymoon. Her body was never recovered. Did she die in Italy, or France? See [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mont_Blanc Wikipedia: Mont Blanc]. The mountain has claimed many lives so perhaps there should be a category for this. Any suggestions? Got to marvel at these Victorian women.

Answer 1

There is actually a dispute between France and Italy concerning the frontier. Let's conservatively take the Italian point of view and say that the summit is on the frontier.

I checked the different itineraries and it looks like the "historic" way is in France, though I wouldn't bet my house on it:

http://www.montagnes-magazine.com/actus-topo-5-voies-mont-blanc-les-grands-mulets

If we know Sophia's itinerary, we may be able to find out if she is more likely to have died in France or in Italy.

A Mont-Blanc category can, and indeed should, be both under France and Italy.

Comments

National Probate calendar says she died in Chamonix, Switzerland. I'm assuming that's where she was staying. Therefore I'll make it Mont Blanc, Haute-Savoie, France for now.

Answer 2

I think it all depends on the year period... See the history of Mont Blanc on Wikipedia...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mont_Blanc#Ownership_of_the_summit