Two Men in their 70’s Died on Mont Blanc in a Busy Weekend for Rescue Crews

According to Le Dauphine, a 71-year old Swiss man died, and his 57-year old guide was seriously injured when they fell at the bottom of Mont Blanc du Tacul 13,937-feet) after their rope broke loose.

The guide was transported by helicopter to the hospital. The Chamonix High Mountain Rescue Team (PGHM) are investigating the cause of the accident.

Another death occurred at the Col du Tricot (6,955-feet) when a 70-year-old man suffered a heart attack.

The PGHM of Chamonix had a busy weekend with multiple rescues. At the Col du Dôme and en-route to Mont Blanc, two people with acute mountain sickness had to be rescued. Another mountaineer was injured after his rope came loose causing him to fall in the Petite Verte area, and three other people got lost at the Col du Midi while descending the Grands Mulets.

Then at the end of the day a hiker injured his knee and had to be transported to the Alfred-Wills shelter, and a 50-year-old man was injured at the Mer de Glace, near the Couvercle refuge.

France recently issued a decree restricting access to the summit of Mont Blanc, the country’s highest mountain. As a result of overcrowding and safety risks, climbers will not be allowed on the peak’s popular “Royal Route” for the next eight days, officials said.