Tragedy on Grandes Jorasses

9th November, 2011

This has been read 11,218 times

South side of the Grandes Jorrasses - descent routes marked © Jon Griffith — South side of the Grandes Jorrasses - descent routes marked
© Jon Griffith

The two climbers stranded for a week on the Grandes Jorasses have been found dead by a rescue party today.

Mountain guide Olivier Sourzac, 47, and his client Charlotte Demetz, 44, had successfully climbed the classic north face route of The Shroud last week, and made the summit, before being caught in a terrible week-long storm.

Luca Signorelli has been keeping the UKC Forums updated with information on the situation and reported at 11.23 this morning, that the pair had tragically not survived.

Multiple rescue attempts had been made, but the weather and snow conditions were too ferocious to allow climbers or helicopters to reach the stranded climbers.

Our thoughts are with their families and friends.

More information is in the original UKC News report and in the Forum Thread.

This post has been read 11,218 times

Return to Latest News

UKC Advertising

Comments

Luca Signorelli

6 Nov, 2011

The last updates are not encouraging. The storm continues unabated, and the planed flights are still grounded. There's a French group (including Bruno) at the Boccalatte for yet another attempt to reach Olivier and Charlotte by foot, but conditions are extremely dangerous, and the mood around is quite pessimistic. I hope some good news may come later today, but given the fact that the storm is now going non stop since 100 hours (most of the NW, including Turin, is now in high alert mode for expected floods and landslides)... well, it's not a good day.

Al Evans

6 Nov, 2011

It sounds like a terrible drama unfolding, keep us informed please Luca, let us all hope for the best possible outcome.

David Hooper

6 Nov, 2011

This is horrible - I hope they have adequate warm gear. Lets focus on a positive outcome for them and sending them my good thoughts.

csw

6 Nov, 2011

yeah - nothing to say except what's already been said - thanks for keeping us posted and hoping for a positive outcome.........

jon

6 Nov, 2011

Is it not clearing just a bit now - 14:30? I know the Föhn can be deceiving on this side - we haven't had more than a few spots of rain - but I'm sure I caught a glimpse of Helbronner just now?

More Comments

Add Comment