A skier dies in the Cosmiques couloir after falling more than 300 meters
During a classic steep route, a French national tumbled more than 300 meters and lost his life.
It was 9:20 a.m. when the alert reached the Chamonix mountain police platoon. A steep skier tumbled in the Cosmiques couloir, on a 45-degree slope. This route is well-known to committed skiers. Along with the Rond Glacier, it is one of the two most famous in the Mont Blanc massif.
According to information gathered on site, the man, in his fifties, fell while he was in the first third of his descent. His fall, estimated at more than 300 meters, was fatal. On site, rescuers attempted resuscitation but were only able to confirm the death of the French national. The body of this mountain enthusiast was lowered back to the helicopter base aboard the gendarmerie's EC 145 aircraft.
Saturday, May 10th, was a relatively busy day for the Chamonix PGHM, with a total of six rescues. Another operation also involved a steep-slope skier, this time in the Capucin couloir. The man fractured his leg and had to be evacuated by the mountain gendarmes.
Finally, on the north face of Mont Blanc du Tacul, a skier triggered an avalanche. This avalanche swept away two skiers located downstream. The Chamonix PGHM rescued both victims and transported them to Sallanches hospital.
Le Dauphiné
