Sunday, June 11 2023, a 50-year-old man lost his life while traversing an arete on the Midi-Plan route high above the town of Chamonix.
The victim, a locally resident 50 year old man from the Haute-Savoie and and his fellow alpinist, were traversing the Midi-Plan route in the Chamonix Aiguilles, high above the town of Chamonix.
The ridge had significant snow cover from recent precipitation. The climbers were roped together as is normal for high alpine climbing activity.
At about 14:30 hours, both climbers slipped and fell. Despite exposure on this route to falls of over 1000m, the pair fell just 100M.
For the 50 years old climber, this was fatal. The teenager sustained severe injuries, but he was able to alert the Chamonix Peloton Gendamerie de Haut Montagne (PGHM).
The rescue team, that included a doctor, arrived on location in minutes, thanks to the phenomenal ascent rate of their EC-145 helicopter, nicknamed the Choucas 74.
The 50 year old man was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. First-aid was provided to the teenager. With the deceased and everyone else onboard, Choucas 74 descended directly the the hospital in Sallanches, so that care for the injured teenager could continue.
The PGHM has opened an investigation into the fatal accident.
The route the climbers were taking is a very popular high-mountain climbing route from the summit of the Aiguille du Midi (accessed by telepherique from Chamonix) and the summit of the Aiguille du Plan.
Le Dauphiné
