Alpine thaw accelerates rockfall danger on Mont Blanc's deadliest route
Heat-driven thawing triggered a fatal rockfall in Mont Blanc's Goûter Couloir, killing two climbers.
Event / Disaster
Mont Blanc Rockfall Deaths
Multiple deaths from rockfalls in the Goûter Couloir of Mont Blanc, a hazardous section of the normal route. Three Czech climbers killed in July and September 2025 due to unstable conditions caused by glacier thawing and permafrost melting from heat and drought.
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2026-09-12 to 2026-11-06 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 12 Sept, 17:37 UTC
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What happened
Goûter Couloir identified as one of most dangerous sections of Mont Blanc normal route
The Goûter Couloir, sometimes referred to as the 'couloir of death,' is considered one of the most dangerous zones on the classic access route to Mont Blanc due to frequent rockfalls caused by unstable terrain and weather conditions.
Czech alpinist killed by rockfall in Goûter Couloir on Mont Blanc
A Czech alpinist in his early forties died on September 10 in the afternoon at approximately 15:30 when struck by a rockfall while traversing the Goûter Couloir on Mont Blanc near Saint-Gervais, France. He was traveling with a companion who was unharmed and alerted rescue services. The alpinist was carried down the slope several tens of meters by the impact and died instantly.
Goûter Couloir closed due to rockfall danger from heat-induced thawing
Two mountain refuges providing access to Mont Blanc via the Goûter Aiguille route were closed from August 11 to 26 due to increased rockfall risk. Strong heat and drought accelerate the melting of residual snow, glaciers, and permafrost, which promotes sudden and unpredictable detachment of rock blocks from the mountainside.
Two Czech alpinists killed in Goûter Couloir rockfall on July 14-15
Two Czech alpinists died in a rockfall in the Goûter Couloir on Mont Blanc during the night of July 14-15. Their rope team was struck by falling rocks while ascending via the normal route. A guide accompanying them was injured in the same incident.
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