A Japanese mountaineer, Hironobu Shimosawa, has been reported missing in the Mont-Blanc massif since Wednesday afternoon 9th August 2017.
The Chamonix PGHM (high mountain rescue team) is searching for a Japanese mountaineer (35), who has given no a sign of life since Wednesday afternoon.
According to Le Dauphine, the Japanese mountaineer had departed alone from the Aiguille du Midi, probably on Monday 7th August 2017, to reach the summit of Mont Blanc, via the 3 Monts route.
The PGHM had a telephone contact with the man on Wednesday 9th August 2017, at 5pm. The call for help was made during the descent, between Mont Blanc and Mont Blanc du Tacul.
Aerial research impeded by bad weather conditions
According to Le Parisien, the rescue helicopters tried twice to take off Thursday afternoon, from Chamonix and Annecy, but in vain, because of lack of visibility.
Captain Patrice Ribes, deputy commander of the PGHM, said: "It seems that the weather will not change before Saturday morning, but as soon as we have a window, we will go to look after him."
"We are also in contact with the manager of the Goûter Hut, to warn us in case the weather improves in that sector" added the captain.
The hope of finding him alive is not lost. According to the PGHM of Chamonix, the disappeared mountaineer could have taken shelter.
"If he is safe, perhaps in a crevasse, with a temperature around 0 degrees, and not directly subject to precipitation and wind, with a mountain stove and water, he can survive several days" , said Captain Patrice Ribes.
The PGHM launched an appeal for witnesses
An appeal for witnesses has been launched Thursday morning 10th August 2017, to find more about Hironobu Shimosawa.
"The area where he can be is very wide, going from the 3 Monts to the Goûter couloir," said the Captain Ribes.
According to the identification elements provided, the man was alone, wearing an orange Gore-Tex jacket and a green helmet.
If you have any information or you saw him between Monday and Thursday on the supposed route, do not hesitate to contact the Chamonix PGHM at +33 (0) 4 50 53 16 89 / info@pghm-chamonix.com
For more info check here the official Facebook page of the Chamonix PGHM.
