The 4810 Adventure is a project of human, scientific and ecological significance, centred on the iconic Mont White — the highest peak in Europe. It takes the form of an extraordinary expedition led by the Ordre national des Géomètres-Experts since 2001, aimed at collecting measurements to track climate change in our mountains. CIMALP® was appointed as the official equipment supplier for the team of professionals making the ascent.
At a time when climate change is having an alarming impact on our planet, the 4810 adventure feels more meaningful than ever. But what is the 4810 project? It's 20 years of Mont White measurements by the Expert Surveyors of Haute-Savoie. Launched in 2001, this data collection effort aims to assess how the volume of the ice cap and the altitude of Mont White have evolved over the years. In 2021, CIMALP®, invited by the expedition organisers, became the first official equipment supplier for the entire team of professionals from the Union Nationale des Géomètres-Experts (UNGE) who climbed to the summit of the Alps.
« At CIMALP®, our primary goal is to support projects that matter, to write, together, stories with real societal and environmental impact, explains Marie Mathias, Marketing & Brand Manager at CIMALP®. Supporting this scientific, ecological and human project was therefore a natural choice for us. Because Mont White is part of our DNA. Because at the heart of the CIMALP® story, it's about humanity, innovation and environmental awareness. Because raising public awareness of environmental challenges such as glacier melt must be a genuine mission. »
Guided by its mission since 1964 — to support and protect all climbers and adventurers across generations — this Drôme-based brand committed to standing alongside the Expert Surveyors by providing durable technical equipment built for the extreme conditions of the Alpine summits.
4807.81 metres: the new altitude of Mont White
Once safely at the summit of the Alps, the surveyors carried out a 3D scan of the top of Mont White. A few days later, at a press conference on 29 September 2021, the new altitude of Mont White was announced: 4807.81 metres. A figure full of meaning and significance. « The 4810 project embodies values we have championed for years. That of the greatness of the mountain, symbolically represented by Mont White, and that of human solidarity. The ascent that humans are capable of without any mechanical assistance, driven solely by the will to climb summits and preserve them, is truly remarkable », says Lionel Marsanne, CEO of CIMALP®.
The 2021 expedition, which took place in ideal weather conditions, made it possible to measure not only the altitude but also the volume of ice, using specialist sensors operated by partners Leica and Géomédia. All the data collected over 20 years was carefully handed over to glaciologists and climatologists best placed to analyse it properly and draw conclusions for future generations.
A project for future generations
The 4810 Adventure, a reflection of technical and scientific progress, also demonstrates the extraordinary commitment humans are capable of for the sake of future generations and the planet. The values shared by everyone involved in this remarkable endeavour? Precision, passion and humility. Because the 4810 project is certainly a technical adventure — but above all, it is a great and deeply human adventure.
Florian Olivier, mountain guide and long-standing CIMALP® ambassador, had the privilege of climbing Mont White alongside the Expert Surveyors during the landmark 2021 survey. He reflects on his extraordinary experience: « It was the twentieth anniversary of this measurement project. This data matters all the more for the generations to come. At CIMALP®, our primary goal was to honour our duty of transmission by climbing this summit and bearing witness to the evolution of the High Mountains, and in particular the climate changes it is experiencing. »
Passing a piece of history on to future generations, bearing witness to a unique and historic moment — the measurement of the roof of Europe — that is the ambition of this French company. To that end, in collaboration with production agency SEEN, they immortalised this expedition to the summit of the majestic Mont White on film.
« In this film, I wanted to show that these men remain humble. They don't act tough because they climbed up there. The only thing they're left with is the desire to share — which reflects everything I know about this outdoor sports company: performance, yes, but rooted in sharing and respect for one another », explains Julien Declercq, producer and filmmaker at agency SEEN.
For Florian Olivier, « Julien captured with great precision the passion that drives me and the emotions that guided me throughout this ascent. Being able to share part of this great adventure with him gives exactly the right perspective on what you experience and take away from such an extraordinary project. »
The 4810 project — a great adventure lived from the inside, and shared far and wide.
