UKC

A climbing accident 9 june, on the Tre la Tête (Mnt. Blanc massive) took the French climber Fred his live, and the Dutch climber Eric Frankenmolen is still unconscious.

On Friday morning 9 June at 3 they left the cabin. Supposedly around 7 hours (at the descent) they have come to a slid/fall for 300 à 400 meters in a snow couloir. They were linked with short rope.

On Friday evening the rescue service has started a search operation, probably after Eric and Fred had been given 'lost' by friends from Chamonix. Nothing has been found. Saturday morning around 8 hours they have been seen lying in snow by a passing mountain guide. He called the rescue service, whereupon a helicopter with doctor arrived on the spot.

Fred's death could unfortunately only be determined. Eric have been brought heavily undercooled and in comatose situation by helicopter to the hospital in Geneve.

There he is still in coma. Eric lives in Chamonix and is training/climbing on daily basis. On 11 March this year Eric repeated the mixed tour "The Flying Circus" M10 from Robert Jasper and also climbed many hard tours.

http://menno.climbing.nl/?p=356 (Dutch)

In reply to xray:
the website from Eric Frankenmolen http://www.frankenmolen.com

In reply to xray:

I'd like to add that he was recently in Wales, at the activity center in Plas Y Brenin from May 10-14 climbing with a number of climbers from all over and he really enjoyed the intensity and spirit of all his climbing partners.

In reply to xray:

I hate reading this kind or reports. Eric had Arête Tronchey, Scheidegg Wetterhorn NW pillar, Tournier Pillar & lots of other stuff under his belt. He shouldn't have fallen on terrain such as this. This shit could have happened to anyone.

He was quite experinced and most likely they would have been better off had they not had the short rope. If one fell the other could have called for help. I hope he gets better. My sympathy is with anyone who knew Fred.

In reply to adnix:
No, the accident happend on the Tre la Tête traverse,it's not an easy route, in fact it is on the ENSA candidate list for mountain guides.
http://www.ensa.jeunesse-sports.fr/stages/pdf_alpinisme/listedecoursea-guid...

Eric remains in coma, but he is tranfered to the Netherlands again. You can find more info at www.menno.climbing.nl

In reply to xray:
There has been another climbing accident on Mont Blanc sorry to say. Paul Damien Holmes of Wales died in an avalanche. My condolences to family and friends
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/north_east/5157900.stm

In reply to Cy Kaicener:
I am very sorry to hear that, both are climbers living there dreams. I want to show my respect to family and friends.

In reply to xray: Thank you for your sensitive report in what is not your native language.