On Wednesday 12th July 2017, a French man (34) fell ten meters down the Gaillands crag (1,015m) in Chamonix.
According to Le Dauphine, the accident occurred in the morning. The climber, made a fall of about ten meters while he was climbing the "Grand Gailland".
Sector of Grand Gailland: 70m max, up tp 3 pitches, 30 routes. The main crag, is the tallest and the widest. Very popular with routes from 4 to 6a.
A British climber who witnessed the accident, beeing doctor, gave him first aid before the arrival of the Smur of Sallanches, the firefighters and gendarmes.
Two members of the Chamonix PGHM were also dispatched to the scene of the accident.
According to the preliminary investigations led by the PGHM of Chamonix, the 34-year-old man made a mistake during an abseil, causing his fall.
Seriously injured and with his vital prognosis compromised, he was was immediately evacuated by the civil security helicopter to the Annecy Hospital.
Les Gaillands is the closest crag to Chamonix, located at the south end of the town, 2 km from the center (post office). You have to take the direction "les Gaillands" and the crag is in the park just beyond, on the right; you easily see it from the road.
The location is well-protected and south facing. The rock is gneiss, with many bolted sectors and numerous routes, there are about 140 routes here of various grades, a few 4s, a lot of 5s and 6s and the most difficult is a 7b.
Les Gaillands is a popular place for families, groups of friends, for schools and guides offering training, or for people who want to hang out and do a bit of climbing.
Climbing accidents at the Gaillands are relatively rare, because the site is full of anchor that ensure a safe ride points.
