Fifteen years ago, in another valley in the Alps, another mountain guide, Richard Bozon, died in the first day of the new year, at the Grands Montets. Since Friday, Eric Favret, President of the Company de Guides de Montagne of Chamonix, is constantly thinking about it. The shock wave caused by the accident last Friday of Benjamin Gaimard in Les Arcs has reached the Chamonix Valley. In 2009, eleven guides perished in the mountains. A number never seen before. Enough to arouse many questions in a profession that in France has 1 600 professionals, mostly independent, but also among ski instructors, also at the forefront in recent years in the chart of accidents. New Mountain Guide Formation The new formation should be implemented this summer: "The training has been intensified with 21 days mandatory tutoring. Alongside an experienced Mountain Guide/Teacher, students will discover the relationship aspect with the client and management decision-making in everyday life. There will be a real escalation in the acquisition of powers. " In short, continue or say no, ski a slope or give it up. It's a change of mindset that the Union is trying to use for the future to avoid such series deaths. SHORTS Twelve guides died in one year Since 1 January 2009, eleven french guides perished. Some in the amateur, mainly ice climbing, but more than half working with clients. Benjamin Gaimard, is the twelfth victim of this black series. THE PROFESSION of a Mountain Guide According with the Union over 20% of the guides live exclusively on the work in the mountains. A growing share. More than half are between 45 and 64 years old. The new formation has an objective... to make the average age become younger.
