Capt Stéphane Bozon of Chamonix PGHM (peloton de gendarmerie de haute montagne) has been promoted to running the PGHM of the Hautes-Alpes based in Briancon. These highly specialized police units provide search and rescue cover in conjuncton with the CRS and Civil Security units. In particular the Briancon group covers the Ecrins range.

Not someone to mince his words, Stéphane Bozon courted controversy last year when he roundly criticized a group of climbers who froze to death near the summit of Mont Blanc during a storm. One of the group was 30 year old Mark Emerson, described as a brilliant student and graduate lecturer by friends and colleagues at Grenoble University. The group had apparently ignored weather warnings and were lightly equipped for the climb.