The deadliest mountain in the world claimed in one day nine
lives again. They were swept by a 60ft high wall of falling snow when they
attempted a dangerous ascent. They were three Germans, two Spaniards, a Swiss
and three Britons.
The Mount Blanc is the most dangerous and about 100 lives
are lost every year. It is the highest
mountain in Western Europe at 15,782ft. The top is always covered with snow. In
the summer the avalanche risk is greater. July 2007 had the worst season with
30 people killed in various accidents because of bad weather on the mountain.
August 2008 claimed eight climbers’ lives. They were four
Austrians, three Swiss and one German. An avalanche on Mount Blanc du Tacui
took their lives.
May 2009 Olympic Gold Medallist Karine Ruby and her
companion went into a crevasse.
The worst accident happen in 1999 when an avalanche went
over chalets in Montroc and 12 lives were lost.
Kenton Cool a professional mountaineer who climbed Everest
nine times stated that an avalanche is like concrete when it comes to rest. The
only way to survive is to keep on the top. To discard your bags and ski poles
could drag you down. Although it sounds
odd but it is like swimming with back strokes.
In his experience he thinks this time they had no chance.
The avalanche struck when it was barely light and most properly gave them no
warning.
Even the best experienced climber, skier or mountaineer has
little chance when avalanches struck. It is mostly luck if they get swept to
the surface. If they get rescued within 15 minutes they stand a chance to
survive.
More than 30 mountain rescuers and police using dogs and
heat seeking devices where combing the avalanche meticulously. This avalanche
was 300ft square and 20ft deep. It is known that hours before there were a wind
raging with 43 mph. This would form a wind-slab which is a hug wall of snow
which is devastating when it collapses.
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