Industry News
A ski mountaineer lost a ski and fell to his death while descending Mont Blanc, Chamonix, France at 1pm yesterday. Â
The terrain he fell on may have been 40-45º steep.
His fall sounds like it was very traumatic:
“He was unable to control his fall and went airborne off a large serac, impacting the snow below and sliding faster into a crevasse.” – Chamonix.net, yesterday
Many people die in the French Alps. Â Some figures estimate as many as 70 people dying per year in the French Alps.
Chamonix.net Press Release:
Saturday 10th June 2017, in the early afternoon, a man (53) lost his ski and fell to his death, while descending the Mont Blanc massif (4,810m).
According to Le Dauphine, the accident occurred, at about 1pm, while the man was skiing down the Mont Blanc massif, in the direction of the col de la Brenva (4,361m), accompanied by five other mountaineers.
During the descent the man lost his ski and fell. He was unable to control his fall and went airborne of a large serac, impacting the snow below and sliding faster into a crevasse.
According to the preliminary investigations led by the PGHM of Chamonix, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was repatriated by the PGHM helicopter, the SMUR doctors and the rescuers of the PGHM at the DZ des Bois in Chamonix.
Very shocked, his climbing partners were also repatriated by the gendarms on board the helicopter.
The route to the col de la Brenva requires good technique, experience and fitness. Tackle steeper ground, there are a couple of traverses that may be icy and difficult.
Difference in altitude: +1300m / -1300m. Slope: sections between 40 and 45 degrees descent.
