A father and son died in the Alps Saturday afternoon while hiking in an area known to be difficult, The Guardian reports March 17. The 48-year old father apparently died falling in an attempt to save his 12-year-old son. Names of the victims have not been released.
The pair from Britain were hiking in the Le Couloir des Bossons along the Mont-Blanc range above the Chamonix valley section of the Alps when they were killed braving treacherous conditions. A rescue center at Annecy received a call from the father around 3 p.m. Saturday saying his son had fallen and he couldn't see him. Responders said the conversation was brief and the caller sounded panicked. They believe he tried getting to his son, but fell down in the process. Authorities add that they think the father died quickly along with his son. Their bodies were found together Sunday morning around 2 a.m..
Although the path the father and son took into the Alps was popular, it's more so during summer than winter. Conditions can be slippery on ledges from snow and ice -- and it takes special equipment to navigate through the Mont-Blanc range. The two were wearing "trekking-type shoes with tread soles that are not suitable for a snow- and ice-covered winter mountain."
Comments