Sunday 3rd June 2018, a woman fell to her death 300m while she was climbing on the north side of the Tour Ronde (3,792m), above the Cosmiques Refuge in the Mont Blanc massif.
According to France Bleu, the accident occurred in the late morning. The woman was accompanied by a guide from Haute-Savoie who also fell but survived, he is the one who alerted the Chamonix High Mountain Rescue Team (PGHM) at around 11:15 a.m.
The two alpinists who were climbing roped together, fell as they reached almost the summit, at about 3792 meters above sea level, in a very difficult area with steep ice.
According to Le Dauphine, the last part of this slope has an angle of almost 60 degrees, while to two-thirds is a steep narrow composed of many boulders, it is almost impossible to stop in case of a fall.
Tour Ronde N face: Elevation min/max : 3371 m/3792 m; Elevation gain: 550 m; Difficulties height difference: 350 m; Slope: 60°
According to Chamonix PGHM, the guide is seriously injured but "incredibly lucky". He is multi-traumatized but his life is not in danger, he was evacuated by helicopter to the Sallanches hospital.
The victim is Armelle Chichery (40), a plastic surgeon native from Lyon. According to PGHM she was an experienced climber.
An investigation was opened to clarify the circumstances of the accident.
