Submitted by ChamonixNews on
On the early afternoon of Wednesday 22 June 2016, a mountaineer (57) from Chamonix valley, died on the Dome of Rochefort in Mont-Blanc massif.
According to France 3, the accident occurred on the border between France and Italy, at about 2pm, close to the summit of the Aiguille Rochefort (4001 meters). The Chamoniard was ascending the Dome of Rochefort when he fell 600m to his death.
According to Radio Mont-Blanc the man was an experienced mountaineer, a qualified High Mountain Guide and an instructor at the National School of Skiing and Mountaineering in Chamonix.
The victim set out on the climb with a friend, also an alpinist. However, he was alone at the moment of the accident. The previous night they camped close to the Dent du Géant. In the morning, the friend did not feel fit to climb, so the victim continued alone to the Dome du Rochefort before his fatal fall.
The Chamonix PGHM was alerted by the friend of victim, anxious at not seeing his friend return. Flying over the area in the PGHM helicopter, the rescue team soon found the victim's body at the foot of the Dome of Rochefort, on the French side.
An investigation has been opened to determine the circumstances of the accident!
