A 52-year-old climber died Sunday morning in the Ecrins massif (Hautes-Alpes), we learned from the emergency services.
Originally from Savoy, he was progressing with a climbing companion at an altitude of 2,900 m, when he fell to his death from nearly thirty meters.
A block would have come loose
According to the first elements, the roped party of the two climbers was rappelling down the traverse of Mont Pelvoux, a route known to reach the highest point from the south.
A block on which the two men were then would have come loose, precipitating the victim.
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His rope companion is unharmed.
Rescuers from the CRS des Alpes and a doctor from Samu were dispatched to the scene by the helicopter from the gendarmerie air detachment.
A judicial investigation was opened by the prosecutor's office in Gap and entrusted to the CRS des Alpes, based in Briançon.