Wed, 13 Aug 2014, fatal accident near the Aiguille d'Argentiére: 1 high mountain guide and his 5 clients fall to their death, while ascending the Aiguille d'Argentière.
Consternation at the Argentiere Refuge: "The group left at 4am to ascend the Aiguille d'Argentiere (3901 m) through the Arete of Flèche Rousse. The guide who accompanied them knew very well the route as he regularly did it with UCPA groups" reported for Le Dauphine the Argentiere Refuge's keeper.
After a clear night, weather conditions were good that day.
The high mountain guide was also a ski and steep ski instructor, which excludes an eventual lack of technique. The Arete of Flèche Rousse is a route of medium difficulty (listed AD) to the summit of the Aiguille d'Argentiere (3901 m).
Sources reported that the guide and his customers, five French climbers in their thirties, planed to descend by the Milieu Glacier and then return at the Argentière refuge. "Usually the climbers that tackle this route, are back at the refuge within 14 to 16 hours", said the refuge's keeper. "At 5pm, as there was no sign of the 6 climbers, we asked the Chamonix PGHM to carry out a reconn mission".
As the storm started, the rescuers were forced to start the rescue procedure the next day, both on foot and by helicopter. "After their depart from the Argentiere Refuge, we found no trace of them", reported one of the PGHM rescuers.
All six climbers were found, but on arrival, the PGHM could only confirm their death.
The Chamonix Mairie confirmed that all five persons were of French nationality.
The causes of the accident are not established, but authorities excluded the hypothesis of an avalanche. It seems that the six roped together climbers, fell approximately 250 metres down to their death. No further details have been released to the press.
Source Le Dauphiné
