Mont Cenis

The Alpine climb that follows in the footsteps of elephants

- EMMA COLE

While many classic climbs are notorious for epic battles between pro cyclists, Mont Cenis has a more militant side to it. Some historians claim it is the mountain pass that Hannibal used to make his legendary Alps crossing, complete with a force of more than 30,000 soldiers, 15,000 cavalry and, most famous of all, 37 elephants.

Although the precise number of Hannibal’s army is up for debate, along with the exact mountain pass of choice, the link between the largest existing land animal and the Col de Mont Cenis doesn’t stop there. In 1959 the British Alpine Hannibal expedition decided to re-enact Hannibal’s crossing. Led by British engineer John Hoyte, the team of eight searched for an elephant to join them to make the trip as realistic as possible.

Fortunately for Hoyte, Turin Zoo had recently taken in a circus-trained female Asian elephant called Jumbo, and her zookeeper gave his blessing for Jumbo to join the expedition. Complete with specially made knee pads, coat and leather boots, Jumbo headed off in late July that year to complete the journey from France to Italy via the Col du Mont Cenis.

Ten days later, Jumbo and team arrived safely in the Italian town of Susa. According to reports at the time, Jumbo ate some cake and drank a magnum bottle of Chianti to celebrate.

Like elephant, like cyclist.

Two-pronged attack