Submitted by ChamonixNews on
Tuesday, 1st August 2023, two men aged 26 and 36, died while climbing the Aiguille du Tour, from the Swiss side of the mountain at the north end of Mont Blanc massif.
Two separate accidents on the same day, on the same mountain, both caused by falling rocks.
A 26-year-old French mountaineer and a 36-year-old climber from the Netherlands were climbing the east face of the Aiguille du Tour which overlooks the Trient Glacier, on the Swiss side of the Mont Blanc massif.
The two men were in separate groups of climbers. Both men were struck fatally by stones falling fast from higher on the mountain.
Another climber, also from the Netherlands, was injured in the rock fall and was rescued.
The Aiguille du Tour is a popular mountain, particularly with debutant high alpine mountaineers. To access the mountain from the Swiss side, climbers traverse the Trient Glacier and then ascend a route of mixed rock, snow and ice. In summer months, melting ice significantly increases the risk of rock fall.
The mountain is popular with debutants because both routes, one on the French side and one on the Swiss side are not technically difficult.
The views from the summit are wonderful.
Le Dauphiné
