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Expeditions
Here we present the most exciting expeditions and unique journeys. The world is growing smaller, but it is bigger than you think. Some people visualize the opportunities for others, and make our lives exciting to live.
View the world with no secrets: you can consider it in two ways: both as a threat and a opportunity. Some ways people live their lifes will surprise you...
Climbing accidents at Mont Blanc
2004-02-22
Avalanche and other causes caused death of 6 persons 4 climbers lost their life today when an avalanche at Europe's highest mountain Monte Blanc took them. Their climbing route was on the border between Italy and Frances, more exact on the France part of Tour Ronde. The avalanche hit 20 people. 15 persons were transported to two hospitals in Italy and France. Later today 2 climber fell down under the descending of another route (Aiguille Verte).
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Identities to the perished climbers are not known, but the rescue team assumes that they are from France and Germany.
The avalanche occurred probably due to extremely hot weather in the area. In addition two men died when they lost the control over their hangliders and fell down in the Conches-valley in the South West Switzerland. At the France part of the Alps, the area is crowded with people due to the national day (15th August). The hot weather has made the conditions both difficult and danger.
Mont Blanc is in the French Alps, and the French sometimes call it "La Dame Blanche", The White Lady. Its summit lies at 4807 meters (or about 15800 feet) above sea level. According to Linx`s web site about Mount Blanc (see the link below), hiking and climbing the "easiest" route in the summer, Mont Blanc is normally a two-day project. Climbers can take the train up to Nid d'Aigle at 2372 metres, and then walk further along a scenic path to the Refuge de Tete Rousse at 3187 metres. From this point most people find it most common to return.
The further route is described as very steep, and in addition climbers have to cross a notorious avalanche area called the Grand Couloir. Linx draws here parallels to Russian roulette: "sometimes a rock comes, sometimes not, and they are fast!" After that it gets even steeper as you walk and climb a few hundred meters up to the Refuge de l'Aiguille du Gouter at 3817 metres.
If someone lose an item (as example a helmet!) here, it is likely that it moves quite far by itself. As you can understand, climbing is a real venture! As mentioned above this was a tragic end of a climbing expedition. It is always risky to climb high mountains. You never know what will hit you. This is also a part of the thrilling, but can cause undesired consequences.
The more information you obtain about the environments, weather conditions and other matters, the more you can reduce the risk. But you can never be 100 % percent sure!
Stein Morten Lund, 15 August 2000
Additional information
Do you like to read more about Mont Blanc and get reports from several climbing expeditions there? Or perhaps you would like to conquer this mountain yourself?
You can get advises from the site below by mailing questions. http://lynx.uio.no/mbl.html
Read also our news (report) about an ongoing climbing expedition at Mount Everest: Climbing expedition to Mount Everest: Will Al Hanna make it again?
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Meeting the Mudmen
in Papua New Guinea
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