Mont Blanc. Photo: Zulu CC-BY-SA-3.0
A British mountaineer has died after falling 1,000ft while descending Mont Blanc.
The 30-year-old was with three others on the Goûter corridor yesterday when he fell to his death.
The group had stayed at the Refuge du Goûter hut the previous night before continuing their descent after summiting Mont Blanc.
The Goûter route is the most popular, least technical ascent option but the corridor is prone to rockfalls. French police said they did not believe this was the call of the man’s fall, but he had simply overbalanced, falling 300m down a rockface.
Police were informed at 9.30am on Saturday and a rescue helicopter flew to the scene, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Rescuers said the group was not roped together at the time.
They were part of a bigger group of nine from the UK who had all summited Mont Blanc the previous day. Five continued down to Chamonix, but four stayed at the Refuge du Goûter at 3,835 m (12,582ft).
The climber fell on the descent below the hut, which was opened earlier this year, replacing an older building at the site.
Tony and all of Blue/Green Watch, Wythenshawe Fire Station.
23 September 2013Absolutely gutted for his family and his friends, especially the group who went to Chamonix.
You were all so upbeat and excited when I took your picture together at the fire station in Wythenshawe just before you left to catch your plane. Words can't describe how shocked and saddened I was when I found out.
Deepest sympathy to you all...
S Gibson
24 September 2013Our group was sitting on the Brevent looking at Mont Blanc that night and saw the lights on in the refuge. It looked so calm and serene but a brings it all home how dangerous this mountain actually can be. Thoughts with a fellow mountaineer.