4 Italian Climbers Die In Deadly Mt. Blanc Climbing Accident

January 19, 2009

Four Italian climbers have died after a tragic fall on Mt. Blanc. All four climbers were said to be between 35 and 40 years-old and very experienced. Their names have not been released to the public. Stewart’s Climbing Blog on About.com is reporting that the four climbers fell 3,280 feet down the Aiguille du Midi. Authorities located their bodies at the base and transported them to Chamonix for identification.

The latest accident on Mt. Blanc du Tacal follows the highly publicized death of British adventurer Rob Gauntlett and his partner, James Atkinson, the previous week. At that time, it was being reported that six deaths had ocurred on Mt. Blanc in 2009. The four Italian climbers will bring that total up to 10. With 2009 just barely underway, it is hard to imagine that 10 people have died in at least four different accidents on Mt. Blanc. The death rate is so unusual that Stewart Greene ponders the question ‘Is Mt. Blanc The Most Dangerous Mountain In The World?“ Going on 2009 statistics, it could very well be. The publicity of these deaths will probably make people think twice about heading there this time of year for their climbing adventures. Let’s hope that this settles down a bit and gives the search and rescuers time to take a rest.

When more information is made public, I will make an update to this post. If these guys were as experienced as the Press is putting on, we may just know who they are. Let’s keep all four of these climber’s family and friends in our thoughts and prayers.

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