Last weekend saw a major rockfall on the famous Petit Dru in the Chamonix valley, France.
The granite tower, home of several classic routes such as The American Direct, released approximately 12,000 cubic metres of rock in a series of three large collapses...
It was impressive alright, even though I only saw the dust, but can't even begin to be compared to the 2005 rockfall which if I remember correctly (I might not, of course) was estimated at 250 000 cubic metres... Have I made this up?
> (In reply to UKC News)
> the 2005 rockfall was estimated at 250 000 cubic metres... Have I made this up?
No Jon, that's about right. The rockfalls last weekend 'only' took out a 6m x 15m roof over a height of about 100m. They know all this 'coz the face is permanently scanned by a 3D laser system set up on the Flammes de Pierre ridge. It's mapped to an accuracy of 7cm!
I think Luca posted a link to an Italian site that had similar data for their side of Mt Blanc, i think it's to to do with predicting avalanches caused by rockfall. If sufficient rock drops from the face then it can cause the glacier to head south ...
> (In reply to a lakeland climber)
>
> You mean north? Well kinda west then north...
>
> I hope the american direct survives. I want other people to still be able to suffer up there.
Well am kind of glad no one suffered that rock fall, whatever it's size etc.
> (In reply to jon)
> [...]
>
> No Jon, that's about right. The rockfalls last weekend 'only' took out a 6m x 15m roof over a height of about 100m. They know all this 'coz the face is permanently scanned by a 3D laser system set up on the Flammes de Pierre ridge. It's mapped to an accuracy of 7cm!
I was opposite the Dru, on Le Signal last week. Never seen French airforce flying so low up the Mer de Glace before. Two jets, one hell of a racket. Somehow doesn't seem too responsible after another spate of rockfalls.
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