Climbing
On Sunday 3rd June, a woman fell 1,000-feet to her death whilst climbing on the north side of the Tour Ronde (12,440-feet), above the Cosmiques Refuge in the Mont Blanc massif.
According to France Bleu, the accident occurred in the morning. The woman was accompanied by a guide from Haute-Savoie, who also fell, but survived and managed to alert the Chamonix High Mountain Rescue Team (PGHM) at around 11:15 a.m.
The two alpinists were roped together and apparently fell as they approached the summit, at about 12,440-feet above sea level, in a very technical area with steep ice. The last part of this slope has an angle of almost 60 degrees, two-thirds is steep and narrow comprising of many boulders, and it is almost impossible to stop once you fall.
According to Chamonix PGHM, the guide is seriously injured but “incredibly lucky”. He is multi-traumatized but his life is not in danger, he was evacuated by helicopter to the Sallanches hospital.
The 40-year old victim was a native of Lyon, France and according to PGHM was an experienced climber.
An investigation is underway to clarify the circumstances of the accident.
