Pierre Lombard, popular owner of the Gite de Larche has been killed by an avalanche yesterday. The Gite de Larche is a favourite overnight stop on the GR5 long distance walking route. Mr Lombard has deep roots in the area, his father was a long serving mayor in the community. An experienced mountaineer, news of Mr Lombard’s death has sent shock-waves well beyond the tight knit mountain community.
The 58 year old father was climbing to the summit of le Germas (2749 meters) by the little known but difficult north-east couloir around 10h30. Accompanied by his brother and nephew they intended to descend the slope on skis. The group appear to have triggered a small surface slide at 2650 meters altitude which carried them 150 meters down the couloir. Mr Lombard suffered fatal back injuries after being carried over a 50 meter cliff. His two companions escaped with face and head injuries and were assisted by an eye witness on skis. They were airlifted to hospital by the Mountain Police dispatched from Jausiers suffering from facial and head injuries.
Data avalanches have some more information with photos of this incident.
http://www.data-avalanche.org/alea_avalanches/view_item/Avalanche/50000191