Could This Cornish Teen Conquer Mont Blanc Next Summer?

A Duchy College student is training for a major climb next summer, aiming to become the first recorded under 18 Cornish youth to reach the summit of Mont Blanc.

Aiming for the 4,810m Peak

Sixteen year old Finn Mason, who studies Military and Protective Services at Duchy College Stoke Climsland, is preparing for an ascent of the 4,810m mountain with plans to carry the Cornish flag to the top. He is also raising money for HighGround, a charity that helps veterans and service leavers move into land based careers.

“I’ve always pushed myself outdoors, but Mont Blanc is the biggest challenge I’ve taken on,” said Finn.

“I want to prove that someone my age from Cornwall can take on something this demanding. HighGround is important to me because they help people leaving the military find new direction. I hope to join the Royal Marines in two years, so it’s a charity I might need one day. I’d love people to support the climb and help me reach, or even beat, my £5,000 target.”

Experience Behind the Ambition

Finn already brings strong mountaineering experience to the challenge. He has solo hiked on Dartmoor since he was 14, summited a 3,000m peak in the Italian Alps this summer and completed a multi day route through the Pyrenees with a friend.

Away from the mountains, Finn has played rugby with the Cornish All Blacks for ten years and spends much of his spare time training across climbing, hiking, snowboarding, surfing, boxing and downhill mountain biking.

Jon Stone, Senior Study Programme Manager for Military and Protective Services, said: “Finn shows the discipline, planning and determination needed for an ascent like this. Taking on Mont Blanc at 16 reflects his ambition and the confidence he brings to his training and studies.”

Supporting a Cause

Finn works two hospitality shifts a week to pay for equipment and training. He is encouraging public donations to focus on HighGround by seeking support from businesses for the expedition itself.

He hopes the scale of the challenge and the purpose behind it will encourage people across Cornwall to back the charity.

You can find out more and support the climb through the Mont Blanc Challenge page