With its many bolted sectors and numerous routes of varied climbing grades all in a convenient setting beside the road, Les Gaillands is a popular place to train or just to hang out with friends. Yesterday, 18-year old Ian Jackson, in Chamonix on holiday from Britain, fell 50m down the rock face while rappelling in the Chasseurs sector. French police described the tragedy as a rappelling accident in which the young climber with a couple years of climbing experience mistakenly held only one rope instead of both ropes and was therefore unable to control his rappel and break his fall. Airlifted to Geneva by helicopter, the young climber succumbed to his injuries enroute.
