Deadly Avalanche on Mont Maudit

12th July, 2012

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A serac release has triggered an avalanche on Mont Maudit, Chamonix. This large avalanche has killed at least nine climbers early this morning, with four more climbers still missing.

Mont Maudit 4342 mtrs and Mont Blanc 4810 mtrs taken from the summit ridge of Mont Tacul © BigHell — Mont Maudit 4342 mtrs and Mont Blanc 4810 mtrs taken from the summit ridge of Mont Tacul
© BigHell, Aug 2010

The photo above clearly shows the normal route up Mont Maudit (climbers in the lower right) and the serac danger on that slope.

Those found are reported to include three British climbers. The names of those involved have not yet been officially released, however we will update this report when that information becomes public.

There is some more information on the BBC Website and on the local ledauphine.com website (French).

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Comments

edmitchell

12 Jul, 2012

Dreadful news, my thoughts are with the injured and the relatives of the dead. The deputy chief of the chamonix guides suggested that it was a slab avalanche, released by the climbers, not a serac collapse as I'd assumed. I can see the upper part of Mont Maudit at the moment through binoculars and can't see any obvious debris there. There wasd some fresh snow on tues night and its been windy, so maybe windslab? Such a terrible accident.

higherclimbingwales

12 Jul, 2012

Yeah I just heard on BBC news that it was a slab avalanche.

frankbabs

12 Jul, 2012

A horrible reminder that no matter how experienced and competent we are if you're caught in the wrong area at the wrong time....!! All our thoghts are with the climbers' families and friends at a terrible time.

Sean Kelly

12 Jul, 2012

Just come through on BBc News 24. One of the victims was Roger Payne. So sad

Graeme Alderson

12 Jul, 2012

So sad about this, I worked with Roger at the BMC and will always remember his Chelsea no. 10 shirt that we bought as his leaving gift.

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