Latest posts for the topic "Chamonix Mountain Guide Dies on Vallee Blanche"

Chamonix Mountain Guide Dies on Vallee Blanche

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 16:31:40 GMT

http://www.chamonet.com/whats_new_article.php?id_whats_new=8920&id_back=1

A guide for the local Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix lost his life yesterday after falling down a crevasse on the Valle Blanche.

Maxime Belleville one of the 250 members of the Chamonix guide company was said to have been out leading a small group on the Valle Blanche yesterday morning when he disappeared before the clients eyes. A crevasse had unexpectedly opened up and Maxime plummeted into the depth of the fissure.

The local rescue services (PGHM) arrived on the scene but there was little to do but recover his body. A memorial service will be announced soon.

These Mountain Guides are the local experts, and this is a demonstration of how treacherous and lethal the mountain environment can be.

:shock: :(

Re:Chamonix Mountain Guide Dies on Vallee Blanche

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 19:25:46 GMT

Very sad :(

Re:Chamonix Mountain Guide Dies on Vallee Blanche

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 20:06:29 GMT

Terrible, my thoughts are with him and his family.

Be careful out there guys.

Re:Chamonix Mountain Guide Dies on Vallee Blanche

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 13:59:59 GMT

Sad news.

Re:Chamonix Mountain Guide Dies on Vallee Blanche

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 19:16:26 GMT

I was up there on Wednesday, it was so busy. There was around 60cm of fresh snow up on Vallee Blanche. I watched so many people head out onto Valle Blanche.

So sad to hear about the Guide, it makes us all realize how fragile we are and how the mountain always has control. My condolences go out to his family and all those who knew him. The sad part was I believe it was his birthday.

Re:Chamonix Mountain Guide Dies on Vallee Blanche

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 16:49:46 GMT

Sad news indeed. They are such dedicated professionals and in a very rare profession too. It's a loss in many senses and a tragic reminder that mountains is a hostile environment. Always have been and will always remain.

Re:Chamonix Mountain Guide Dies on Vallee Blanche

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 17:24:30 GMT

I agree it is terribly sad news, but I keep asking my self why were they allowed out there when the risks must have been considerable.

Re:Chamonix Mountain Guide Dies on Vallee Blanche

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 18:50:19 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:I agree it is terribly sad news, but I keep asking my self why were they allowed out there when the risks must have been considerable.

Wickers, who is the "they" that you think allow IFMGA's onto the mountain to do their job?
The Mountain Guide makes the decision, it's what they trained for.

No-one is in charge of the mountain environment, you take responsibility for your personal and professional decisions.