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Highest Toilets In Europe Top Mont Blanc

In the Alps, they're striking a blow against yellow snow

By Heather McPherson,  Newser User

Posted Jul 24, 2007 10:39 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Now there's a new reason to climb Mont Blanc—to experience Europe's highest-altitude toilets. Local officials installed the facilities for the over 30,000 climbers who trek up the 14,000-foot peak each year. The mayor of a nearby town explained that local snow was becoming a few shades tawnier than usual. "It was urgently necessary," he said.

The toilets cost $200,000, and were made by Ecosphère Technologies, a French company that specializes in dry toilets for extreme conditions, Der Spiegel reports. At the end of each summer, the contents of the two loos will be transported down the mountain by helicopter. It is not yet clear if the toilets have seats.

Mont Blanc and Dome du Gouter. Local authorities hope the portable toilets will stem certain degrees of human pollution on the landmark.
Mont Blanc and Dome du Gouter. Local authorities hope the portable toilets will stem certain degrees of human pollution on the landmark.   (Tinnelot Wittermans)
Unlike the traditional outdoor toilet, Ecosph re Technologies' extreme conditions models for Mont Blanc will cost %u20AC145,000 ($200,000) and be emptied seasonally by helicopter.
Unlike the traditional outdoor toilet, Ecosph re Technologies' "extreme conditions" models for Mont Blanc will cost %u20AC145,000 ($200,000) and be emptied seasonally by helicopter.   (Shutterstock.com)
Two climbers (with friend) traverse Mount Blanc. Jean-Marc Peillex, mayor of the Alpine community of Saint-Gervais-les-Bains called the toilets Urgently necessary, as over 30,000 adventurers each year are drawn to the top of Europe's highest mountain.
Two climbers (with friend) traverse Mount Blanc. Jean-Marc Peillex, mayor of the Alpine community of Saint-Gervais-les-Bains called the toilets "Urgently necessary," as over 30,000 adventurers each year...   ((c) CrazyBanana)
The population of the climb has led to the prediction that lines may even form outside the newly installed high-tech outhouses.
The population of the climb has led to the prediction that lines may even form outside the newly installed high-tech outhouses.   ((c) CrazyBanana)
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