American dies after falling during climb near Mont Blanc
Dangerous passage has seen over 100 deaths since 1990
The Goûter pass is known for dangerous rock falls but this was not thought to have been the cause of the accident
Taras Khimchak / Alamy
An American woman died at Mont Blanc yesterday (June 12), following a fall at the mountain’s Goûter pass.
The 24-year old fell to her death after setting out early in the morning to climb the passage.
She was accompanied by another person, but the two were not using a guide.
It is unclear why she fell as the incident was not directly related to a rockfall as she was climbing.
She was not roped to her male companion who alerted the emergency services.
However, local mountain rescue services (the Peloton de gendarmerie de Haute Montagne de Chamonix, PGHM) reported her dead at the scene.
The passage is located on the mountain’s ‘royal route’ and is known for its danger.
Between 1990 and 2017, an estimated 102 people lost their lives when traversing the passage, with a further 200 or more injured.
When contacted by The Connexion, the PGHM in Chamonix explained that, based on the accidents reported in recent days, there are no increased risks for using the passage at the moment.
Conditions are good, except above 3,000 metres, where there is slightly more snow than usual, requiring more caution.
It also explained that the ideal climbing season in the Alps has shifted due to climate change.
Whereas before, the peak period for mountaineering was from July to mid-August, the best conditions are now from June to mid-July.
Several mountain-related deaths have been recorded this year, including a British skier killed in an avalanche near Mont Blanc at the beginning of the year.
