Sat, 25 Jan 2014 the PGHM was alerted at 12 noon by a High Mountain Guide on a variant route in the Vallee Blanche. Two skiers had fallen 25 metres into a crevasse.
A group of six skiers, in the company of a High Mountain Guide, descended the arete at about 11am. There had been over 10 cm of fresh powder over night and conditions for skiing the Vallee Blanche appeared to be very good.
There are conflicting reports on the route taken; some of them say it was the Grand Envers others the Petit Envers. The Petit Envers is probably accurate, as the crevasse risk on this route is generally higher.
Two of the six skiers passed over a snow bridge which collapsed under their weight. The 25 metres fall into the crevasse was fatal for one skier and caused serious injuries to the second. The PGHM performed an extraction of both skiers from the crevasse. The second skier sustained a broken leg. Both victims were transported by helicopter to the hospital at Sallanches, Haute-Savoie.
The Petit Envers is a variant route in the Vallee Blanche. The route is known for its huge crevasses and high avalanche risk, but it does make for a wonderful ski into the Vallee Blanche. This is a route for expert skiers that are looking for an amazing experience to remember, hopefully for the right reasons.
