The Mont-Blanc massif attracts nearly 20,000 mountaineers a year. If the highest peak in Western Europe (4,808 m above sea level) represents an emblematic ascent, which may seem “accessible”, it is not without risk. In recent weeks, several fatal accidents have taken place, particularly on the Swiss side, where the regional police have noted six deaths in four days. Are there more deaths this year? For what ? What behaviors should be adopted to avoid accidents? To answer these questions, 20 minutes questioned Captain Guy Le Nevé, deputy commander of the Haute-Savoie gendarmerie platoon (PGHM).
Since the beginning of the summer, what is the observation of the PGHM of Haute-Savoie in terms of accidents?
During the months of June and July, we intervened nearly 400 times throughout the Haute-Savoie department, which covers Chamonix and Annecy. It was the same trend last year. In detail, we have 10% more interventions in mountaineering and 30% less in paragliding. Where we see an evolution is in the number of deaths. Sixteen people were killed during mountain-related activities [alpinisme, randonnée pédestre, parapente, escalade] against ten last year at the same period.
How can we interpret these data?
It’s always difficult to draw conclusions. This year, the conditions in the mountains were not too bad to climb unlike last year. And there were no, as in other places in the massif, deaths linked to rockfalls. On the territory, the tragedies in mountaineering are linked to unscrewing [le fait de chuter d’une paroi rocheuse] but are not due to manifest errors, faults or imprudence. Some professionals are even among the victims. Which unfortunately proves that the mountain is not a trivial outing and that accidents concern everyone.
What are the behaviors to adopt to avoid putting yourself in danger?
Mountaineering is an activity where you expose yourself, where you are engaged in a hostile environment and for which it is difficult to master all the parameters since some are related to the mountain, in addition to the equipment and our fitness. Before venturing into a race, you have to get information on access conditions, weather conditions and timetables. In addition to going on the Internet, don’t hesitate to contact the guide office, the high mountain office or the refuges, which will provide you with news live from the mountain. Then, you have to prepare before you start. It is necessary to have a good physical condition, to have the appropriate equipment, in good condition, as well as a phone charged with the registered numbers in case of necessity [comme le 112]. It is strongly advised not to go alone. Do not hesitate to ask professionals to accompany you.
Have you noticed any changes in mountain-related activities in recent years?
I have been in mountain rescue for thirty years and in my opinion, the last big indicator of evolution was Covid-19. We are not the only ones to notice this. The rescue units of the central massif, the Vosges and the Jura, which had a rather calm activity before 2020, also discover an explosion of requests since the health crisis linked to a peak of interest. A new population, in search of nature and the outdoors, has turned to the mountains and activities such as hiking but does not necessarily have the codes and habits of ”mountain dwellers”. With the new information tools, many people want to come and discover the territory, sometimes going a little too fast. But in the mountains, it’s never a good idea to cut corners. So these are people who can be quickly surprised by the environment and all the difficulties it generates. It is these populations in particular that must be warned to avoid unnecessary endangerment.
In general, the more climbers there are, the greater the risk of accidents. We can do all the prevention messages, with the population density that comes to the mountains, it’s unstoppable, even if it’s not always inevitable. The mountain is a great playground but it’s not a football stadium, it has its dangers. It is therefore necessary to put all the chances on your side to make the most of this formidable environment.