Accidents

Thursday, 20 March, 2008

Another crevasse death on the Vallee Blanche

There has been another fatal crevasse fall on the popular Vallée Blanche route which leads down from the 3800 meter Aiguille du Midi to Chamonix. 80,000 skiers and snowboarders descend the “VB” between December and April.

vallee blanche crevasse fall
Crevasse rescue on Vallee Blanche - courtesy of Firechick

Posted by davidof at 06:54 AM
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Saturday, 15 March, 2008

Respected Houches mountaineers killed by avalanche

Pierre and Marie-Jo Trappier have been killed by an avalanche while ski touring above les Houches. Pierre Trappier was well known amongst climbers and ski tourers. The “couloir Trappier” on the north side of the Aiguille du Goûter bears his name. The two victims were part of a group of five engaged in a couloir in the Cabane des Rognes sector.

Posted by davidof at 05:06 PM
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Friday, 14 March, 2008

Three ski fatalities in the Northern Alps

It has been a good winter for avalanche incidents in France with just 6 confirmed deaths. This record low can be attributed to the lack of snowfall and stable anticyclonic weather. This week winter was back with 30 to 80 cm of snow falling above 2200 meters accompanied by strong north-west winds. Enough to raise the avalanche risk to High early in the week. It was still Considerable today with a return to clear skies and sunny weather.

Aiguille Rouge, scene of fatal avalanche today

Posted by davidof at 11:37 PM
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Sunday, 02 March, 2008

British boarder in VB crevasse fall

The recent hot, dry weather has left some open crevasses on glaciers and weakened a number of snow bridges. On Saturday a Chamonix guide was killed in the Ecrins when the ice pinnacle he was climbing collapsed. Today a British snowboarder has been killed descending the normal route on the Vallée Blanche when he fell into a crevasse.

vallee blanche
Main routes on the Vallée Blanche

Posted by davidof at 11:19 PM
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Monday, 11 February, 2008

Missing snowboarder records “last message” on digicam

It was to be the perfect end to a week spent in les Deux Alpes. A trip down freeride Mecca of the vallons de la Meije above la Grave. The only problem, the five young Belgium snowboarders were not properly equipped and didn’t have the necessary level for the adventure that would turn into a nightmare.

girose glacier
The Girose

Posted by davidof at 01:07 PM
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Wednesday, 06 February, 2008

Climber identified after half a century

The remains of a climber, frozen in ice, along with a crampon were discovered in September 2007 on the Tré la Tête glacier at around 3000 meters altitude and started the High Mountain Police in Chamonix (PGHM) on a long quest to discover his identity.

Posted by davidof at 08:37 AM
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Boarder found dead at Pra Loup

There have been a number of accidents over the last couple of days. A ski tourer was caught by an avalanche on the north face of the Grand Colon close to Grenoble on Sunday. He was carried 100 meters over small cliffs but was not buried. He suffered from a broken ankle and other injuries and was taken to hospital by helicopter. Witnesses described the conditions as delicate because of around 40cm of fresh snow and very strong winds.

Posted by davidof at 07:32 AM
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Monday, 14 January, 2008

Two ski tourers killed in Belledonne

Two ski tourers have been killed, probably by an avalanche, while descending from a night in the Pra refuge in the Belledonne mountain range. The incident occurred on Saturday during heavy snow and poor visibility.

Lac du Crozet

Posted by davidof at 06:34 AM
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Skier missing on the Vallee Blanche

A Lithuanian skier has been missing since Friday afternoon after attempting a descent of the Vallée Blanche above Chamonix. An extensive search for the 26 year old man had found no trace.

Posted by davidof at 05:03 AM
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Thursday, 10 January, 2008

Tignes season worker killed by avalanche

A snowboarder has been killed off-piste in Tignes by an avalanche yesterday. The avalanche occurred in the Tufs couloir in the Toviere sector above Tignes le Lac. With light snow and poor visibility the conditions were marginal at the time of the accident according to rescuers from specialized mountain police units of the CRS des Alpes based in Courchevel. The victim was buried under 150cm of snow.

Tignes Avalanche
Avalanche site in the “Fingers” couloirs - Henry Schniewind