Mont Blanc Avalanche

[pkripper]

As reported from ABC news...

An avalanche in the French Alps on Thursday swept six climbers to their deaths, left at least nine injured and about a dozen others unaccounted for, authorities said. Rescuers are searching for the missing.

[jimlup]

Yikes! You never know when something big is going to let go... damn!

[Nelson]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/ju ... itons-dead" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sadly, this happens all the time in the summer on Mt. Blanc.

The first time I was there an old guide told me "if the french guides aren't climbing, don't climb."

[semitrueskerm]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/stor ... 56161618/1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Carl]

What horrible news. Sounds like they were headed to Mont Blanc via the three monts traverse when the serac broke off causing the avalanche. For those not familiar with the area, I think the accident happened on the left side of this photo (taken last summer).

[jbchalk]

Really really tragic. My condolences to all the friends & families.

Carl, I believe you are correct. The bottom left side or bottom center of your picture on Maudit.

I also saw this video: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18815088" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

At 0:57, there is a brief view up Maudit and you can see the debris field with searchers in about the area of the picture you point out.

I remember hurrying thru this section on our descent a few years ago looking up at those seracs...a bit unnerving.

[wildlobo71]

What horrible news. Sounds like they were headed to Mont Blanc via the three monts traverse when the serac broke off causing the avalanche. For those not familiar with the area, I think the accident happened on the left side of this photo (taken last summer).

That is just one pile of nasty with a hair trigger... RIP to all the climbers involved who perished and a safe recovery to those who survived.

[semitrueskerm]

For what it's worth...Wikipedia says Mont Blanc averages 100 fatalities/year... Not saying that Wiki is the best source, here, btw.

[devo]

We were planning on doing the 3 monts route a couple of weeks ago, but after talking to the local guides, the route wasn't very consolidated yet and they were having trouble with ice breaking off and sliding so we took the Gouter route. Very sad for everyone involved.

[jjust]

Odd time of the day for an avalanche. Sounds like icefall from higher up likely triggered the avalanche. We climbed this route last year. Here is another photo of the headwall where it occurred similar to the one posted above.

[robby40]

Telegraph UK - some were avoiding that route:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti ... imber.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[mtnview]

Is there a safer route on this mountain? Looking at a slope like that I'd pass and do something else.

Don't want to exit the planet any sooner than I have to.