The 57-year-old mountain guide and one of his clients, 49, died. A third member of the team was injured but survived and was airlifted to the hospital.
According to La Chamoniarde, the blog published by Chamonix’s rescue corps, rocks continued falling for a long time afterward.
The Gouter Couloir is an unavoidable section on the lower part of the normal route up Mont Blanc. It lies past the Tête Rousse Refuge and on the way to the Gouter Refuge and the ridge to the summit.
It is infamous for constantly falling rocks, especially in the afternoon. Summer climbers try to minimize the danger by crossing the 150m-wide shooting gallery very early in the morning. A cable helps climbers cross, but speed and extreme caution are a must.
Hot summer, more unstable
According to Wspinanie.pl, research conducted by ISTerre Laboratories shows that between 1990 and 2017, as many as 347 rescues occurred at this location, including 102 (!) fatalities and 230 injuries. Statistically, about four climbers die here each year.
It’s now peak season in the Alps, but the consecutive heat waves that are scorching central Europe this summer are destabilizing conditions on these drier-than-usual peaks. Running water on the glaciers and thawing permafrost cause frequent rockfall.
The new Refuge du Gouter is still operating, but those planning to summit Mont Blanc from France should check conditions carefully before risking that route. On the Italian side of the mountain, mountain guides have halted their planned client ascents, AFP reported.
