Rock Collapse - Goûter Route, Goûter Couloir, Mont Blanc
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- Опубликовано: 15 апр 2021
- Video footage/All rights reserved
Rock Collapse on the Goûter Route/Goûter Couloir (Grand Couloir). Also known as the "Corridor of Death" or "Gully of Death"
The accident captured on the way down from Mont Blanc, July 2020.
Luckily all ended well, the climber was rescued later by helicopter.
Goûter Route is the one of the regular mountaineering routes used to reach the Mont-Blanc summit, and the most popular one.
Crossing the Grand Couloir is very dangerous, mainly because of falling rocks or ice.
From 1990 to 2011, the PGHMF registers show 291 rescue operations in the Goûter couloir, which resulted in 74 deaths and 180 injuries and from 1990 to 2017 347 rescue operations resulted in 102 deaths and 230 injuries.
It means on average, 3.7 fatal accidents per summer season, representing the highest frequency in the Alps.
When we crossed this couloir years ago, the rule of defense was: if this situation gets you in the middle of the couloir, do not position yourselves horizontally (too much exposure area) but vertically along the trajectory of the falling rocks, put your head next to the wall, unclip the hip belt of your backpack and pull the backpack up and well over your head to protect virtually the entire area of your exposed body. Nasty part of this famous route.
It is not worth to climb a mountain putting your life at risk..not for me at least
Or bend your head and expose all the vertebrae in your neck to the falling rock.
@@ross9581 you’re not gonna climb very many mountains then
@@timfredrickson3889 Yes you're right but still there are quite a few there less dangerous and...I am still alive, sometimes kicking ;)
@@ross9581 go ross
A number of rocks hit her, which is terrifying. But the number of rocks that DIDN'T hit her is amazing, given that it was raining rocks.
not really, she was covered somewhat by the rocks above her, and she stood on a ledge which curved out and due to gravity the rocks will mainly follow the innermost point, which was at the snow beside her
in muslim states that is known as "stoning", amazing
2:44 she got clocked in the noodle
It appears that way but the rock face is huge and she's sheltered from the worst of it.
Hallelujah
She took a rock to her head pretty damn hard. That helmet saved her life I'm sure.
Absolutely no doubt.
It looked like it hit more the back of her neck which is arguably worse than the head as the skull is basically an extremely hard helmet. The neck doesn't have any where near that protection.
she said im loosing consciousnesses 3:07
@@STARZ_KABOOM Which is kind of the same as when people scream they can't breathe. She might have felt bad, but she was not losing consciousness when she yelled that.
@@STARZ_KABOOM Don't argue with chat room experts.
At 2:40 she is hit twice in the head with two different rocks. Cannot imagine how scary that must have been. What heart, grit and determination to hang on like that and still manage to stay calm and not panic. I think this is the best video of this section of trail that I have seen. Well done hiker.
I was one of the rocks that hit her. I don't feel bad.
One hit the backpack and one hit her exposed neck that she did not cover. She later covered her neck with a backpack.
@@jorislal Exactly
@@jorislal idk why she wouldn't cover that in the first place. Guess she learned lol
Yeah, and when it was cooling down too, must have been confusing.
In other parts of that scope the ending may not have been so happy
Well this was anxiety inducing. Well done for her keeping calm and hunkering down.
Yup
Nicely done terse, understated comment. You must be a mountain man.
Nerves of steel.
@@jeffcampbell1555 i am a beginner mountain man :) skill wise. But my spirit is up there all the time.
It's cool, I got an inch of helmet and this 1 cm rope. I'm sure it'll be fine.
Surprise- I'm most certainly not a mountain woman 🤣
Wow, that was scary. Some of those rocks were big. Glad to hear she got out of it without serious injury.
A 4” rock hit her in the helmet. Not fun!
@@normferguson2769 norm ferguson, funny name
If she could have moved about 10 feet up and under that rock outcrop, she would have been in a lot safer place
I'll say. Well trained. Kept her head. Literally and figuratively. Sorry, can't help my dark humor.
Props to her. So glad she was alright. Was like...Holy Shit!! 😨😨
Times like these you say to yourself “ I am a little ant” she was very lucky I have seen people seriously hurt during a lot smaller rock slides. She did every right that she could do, the urge to try and and get back to safety is so tempting and in this case would of probably ended badly.
i am a stone. i do not move.
If she could have moved about 10 feet up and under that rock outcrop, she would have been in a lot safer place. She could have jammed her head up against that rock and at least her head would be safe
She did every right until she lost her calm.
@@MikeBarbarossa Was she supposed to walk towards to falling rocks?
@@vukans595 yeah, right?
I was there 12 years ago and we got stuck there for a couple of hours waiting for time windows where rock avalanche would stop. One avalanche was so hard with some rock being as big as half a car. I haven't panicked and looked in awe stones flying and smashing but once it stopped I realized that my body was trembling and shaking from the overtaking. I bet it took her long to stand up being in a kind of shell shock.
You have to ask yourself why you were going across a known hazard voluntarily.
I don’t believe you. You probably only climbed trees, not mountains
@Popeye this is RUclips. I TOTALLY believe you!!
Oh, great you had those tremblings, it is the effect of releasing tension off your nervous system. Check on Trauma Releasing Exercises if interested ;)
@@normferguson2769 LOL Voluntarily taking Risk is historically seen as a Challenge by every Human that has pushed Invention and Technology to the point of allowing the average idiot to believe Life on planet earth is Safe and Secure. . Obviously, those delusional beings are simply a Result of ignorance and are not willing to be included with the Progression of Humanity through Challenge and Risk. Its ok though, Technology does allow us all to remain unchallenged as Kings of our own delusions..
That was so scary to even watch.
I hope she got away without any major injures or wounds.
She handled that extremely well, considering.
She did so well! Cannot imagine the panic and anxiety while lying there.
She did yell a few times that she was about to lose consciousness as she got hit at the back of the neck with rocks!
Ikr. Just waiting, tic, tic, tic....for that one big one that nails you squarely and your off to the next world. A minute must seems like hours. Damn..
Oh my absolute god!!!!!!!! That must have been terrifying for that woman! She did so well not to completely panic. Bravo!
That is why you wear a helmet!
What the video isn't showing is the Boy Scout Troop at the top playing "King of the Mountain".
Was scared for her when she kept tucking and unprotecting the back of her neck, thankfully I think she got her pack fairly well positioned though. She was really lucky to only get that one hit to the helmet.
Would it not be better to be face down, stretched out with head facing up the slope, with pack above head, to give the smallest possible target?
Bravo !!! Prendre le temps et être calme, c'est le mieux..... Bonne chance
What a scary situation. You can't do anything to help. Glad it didn't get worse. My heart was pounding. Just...WOW!.
REALLY tough to tell just HOW steep that incline, but steep enough to be knocked off the mountain that’s for sure! Scary stuff..
Amazing videography
incredible footage
stay down woman, foetal position with pack as protection but stay down. thank god she did in the end.
Vaya temple que has tenido, enhorabuena que estéis todos bien 👍
She did a great job! Just needed to pull her pack up a wee bit.
Way to keep an eye on her climbing partners!
Perfectly executed. Lucky you !
I think she stopped at the best spot she could. Few meters before or few meters after more massive rolling was going on. This tiny flat rock above her saved her life and guardian angel's was with her. Time of crossing was appropriate, better early in the morning when rocks are still frozen to the surface. August afternoon is worst time to pass it. I have made that route in both ways when it was almost dark, not a single rock has fallen, but we saw and heard from Tete Rouse some rolling stones in the afternoon. Better reduce risk if you can.
I have a simpler rule for you: don't go there.
she was slow af during the crossing once you commit 30 seconds and you are on the other side.
@@mettflow2648 Have you been there, it is 150m long, average sprinter would need 30seconds to run, as this is 40% slope, you do not run, sprinting is nonsense, so people cross it in more less 90 seconds, it took me 2 minutes last year as it was icy at that time.
Time of crossing was not appropriate, if the place is dangerous you have to get there in the morning (when is still quite dark) not when there is the sun...
@@zbuchus have been there couple of times, she was slow af and as a result got stuck in the middle
Passage du Gouter, the best times are around 9 am, and the worst, an avalanche every 20 minutes on average, it is around 6 pm, and especially to be avoided after a rainy episode !!! but now when you are a city tourist who has paid and don't want to give up because vacation time is running out, I have to intervene with my helicopter and my rescuers ... to think about
Thanks you for sharing that Fred. I was wondering how come people go there without knowing. I would think there is signs or they are being briefed before going on that route. Merci à vous pour votre travail, en vous souhaitant une très bonne journée.
@@BertrandBarraud thank you for your support, mountain rescue is special, weather conditions are often difficult, take care of yourself, and always keep in mind that the Mountain is queen and decides ... that's when you sometimes have to show your pride aside, avoid quick decisions, often make tune-ups along the route, even if known (checks-list: health, equipment available, weather forecast, remaining time of the race / point break etc ...)
Sunday climbers are the worst we could rescue.
Many tourists with an ego bigger the mountain itself.
Anyway we are there for them🚁🚁🚁.
Good job brother and always stay safe.
Without you pilots, we could never rescue stranded hikers/climbers.
Greets from a fellow mountain rescuer from italian CNSAS😎 (or former since I moved out to another country😂)
@@oliviero46 Hello friend, I am also a former Puma, CSAR specialization, combat search and rescue, I worked with the Italian forces in Kosovo and Sarajevo under NATO, with their Agusta, superb machine, friendships friend
Would it be so antithetical to climbing rigour to build a small steel deflector shield across the couloir?
luckily the protective helmet and a little luck ... they saved her. I'm happy for her
Little luck..cmooon man..you can't be serious...luck were huuuuuugggggeeeeee🤤
Sack also helped her, happy she is safe ❤️👍
A TON of luck! Climbing helmets are typically only rated for impacts from above. That rock that hit her in the back of the head could have done some real damage.
God protected her!
The big chunk at around 00:57 that passed by and smashed just below her was really something. If that hit her it would have been a liveleak video
the rocks could kill her at any moment, a genuinely terrifying scene.
Days like these are when you question your motives for climbing. But you get over it and do it again..
Damn, the speed at which some rocks come flying is insane. At 1:09 a rock just comes flying past, barely visible.
You can see it hit the white rope and knock a bunch of dirt off from that rock
Oh you mean that 150 lb monstrosity that was so fast that it only was in one frame? I know the one
I will never go to sleep with ambient rain noises ever again.
do you mean you fell asleep with a video of rain and woke up to this? :)
@@alecule I meant this video sounds exactly like the ambient track I play at night. Now I fall asleep dreaming of rock slides. Either way I'm asleep so that's something.
xD xD
Man oh man. I just ached for the person out there. 😥 So glad she was alright. Soooo close. Ugh!
Nasty part of the route, really steep in places and always rockfall. My mate was so happy to have made it across he put our tent down to catch his breath. The tent fell down the mountain lol. Lucky theirs a hut a few hundred feet above here, we reached the summit the next day.
Thank you. Now I know what to do in case got myself trapped in it.
This video rocks!
Holy schnikies, that's like being in a shooting gallery, and you're the target.
She was extremely lucky, because she lay down on a spot without any cover whatsoever and some of these rocks were big enough to kill her instantly. She did the right thing to turn her backpack in front of her. She could have (right in the beginning, when she had few spare seconds) move herself few meters uphill, there was a big pile of rocks there. They would be much better cover. Never mind, im genuinely glad the girl went through this adventure without any injuries.
some should bring tools to make ahole in rocks or rods net to make stoppers or to make rocks go sideways iwith safe plac between
You have to admire the courage of the climber. What a brave individual ... of course I'm referring to the one holding the camera!
ne pas confondre courage et inconscience!!
Sometimes when you are looking for excitement and adventure you get more than you bargained for.
There are two mothers I don't mess with, Mother Nature and Mother-in-laws.
Wahnsinn. komme gerade von Reddit. Ich hoffe es geht euch allen gut. Ich hatte echt Angs beim zuschauen.
Ignore non-climbers comments👌 many armchair QB's talking trash
Trying to control the world, one keystroke at a time. Lol.
Danger....
Amazing brooo.
Suport your channel, I am from indo
This is the deadliest point in the Alps! He was very good at handling the situation
Nice to see her alive. But to be honest, she was slow as hell. I needed in same conditions about 20 to 30 seconds to cross this part. She was looking back and up but didnt go through in one fast single push. Looked like she was tired or nervous because her movements looked slow... glad shes ok
My first thoughts too. It’s 35 seconds into the video before the first rocks start to fall. You should be across the whole couloir in 30 seconds top. Very glad she was not badly hurt though 👍🏻
150m in 20 seconds..... thats pretty impressive. Faster almost anyone can run it on flat ground. 90 seconds is an average time for this section.
@@derekstanyer its not 150 meters. i checked it on google earth and as you can see in the video.(stand of camereman and other people on the other side) Its about 50m of distance. I did it myself so 20 to 30 seconds are quite possible.
@@STANGER241 Agree, I don’t think it’s that far but, of course, I haven’t paced it out. Think it took me no more than 30 seconds. However, the 4 times I’ve done it there was quite a lot of snow and perhaps that makes an easier track to traverse quickly. That broaches another discussion point about whether it’s a justifiable risk to even attempt the route when there’s no snow helping to hold everything together? The PGHM seem to think not, hence their increasing tendency to close the route altogether as summer progresses.
After summiting in 2016, I wasn't feeling well and we were moving slow, so my wife and I tried to stay an extra night at Gouter, but there weren't any spaces (as usual), so we had no choice but to go down. By time we made it to the coulair in the late afternoon it was acting like in the video, including massive car-sized boulders. We considered sleeping on the trail to avoid crossing until morning, but would have frozen to death (didn't have property camping gear with us given that camping isn't allowed) and it was going to be getting dark soon, so we had no choice but to play Russian roulette (and got lucky). I suspect that many end up in a similar situation; it's calm when going up early in the morning, but then like this when coming down in the late afternoon when people have no choice but to cross it. Given the number of people on this route, and the number of injuries/deaths in this spot, it's beyond me why a suspension bridge hasn't been built across the coulair. 🤷♂️
Actual rock'n roll there
Stuck in no man's land, with no where to go but wait for the bombardment to stop. Scary stuff.
Wow that was crazy. Smart for just staying put and trying to get as small as possible under the backpack. I would have ran lol
at 0:32 she pushes some rocks with her feet. Immediately after rocks start raining down on her. What triggered this rockfall?
This climb did not seem especially risky---until the rocks appeared. It demonstrated how the unpredictability of mountain climbing hazards makes the sport so dangerous.
Not really. These climbers are just inexperienced, you're not supposed to be on that passage when there's a danger of rock fall.
I've followed this advice and have been hit by rocks zero times in 55 years.
@@ramdas363 By the light it looks this is very early in the morning, which is the advised time of crossing this couloir. I got hit by a rock in this same couloir last week (first week of july) at around 8am, luckily without much harm. I guess it's just a lottery... but I'm happy for you that you haven't been hit in 55 years!
Amazing that anyone could survive that.
Did you watch the video? Humans are pretty smart we don't just die as soon as some stones tumble down a hill haha... I'm confused at your comment it's almost like you've never ever taken a risk in your life so anything at all that has the potential to hurt you is just insane in your brain and not worth trying am I correct
@@minzahhh1 that was a very aggressive reaction to their simple comment, kinda weird..
@@StirsMYCookiez not really I'm genuinely curious how someone's mind would see that and automatically think death ? sorry but that's an incredibly weak mind is it not?
See the pathway, before to go, listen the sound of Rocks, and in doubt do not go!
That's the main route, there is no getting around it. Every person passing it does so at their own risk unfortunately.
Terrifying to be be stuck out there waiting for a boulder to take you out 😯
some of those 'small' rocks looked to be the size of her head. That was gnarly.
Such a dangerous yet beautiful mountain. Read the stats. Scary.
So what is the calculation? Is it better to face 20 minutes of rockfall or a mad 1 minute scramble trying to get out? Seems if you’re out there long enough one of those big rocks is gonna get you eventually. You’ve got no more or lees chance being hit scrambling, though clearly you’ve got more armour hunkering down.
Why are such helpless people allowed to be in such a risky and challenging environment? These people have perfectly adapted to the couchpotatoe lifestyle! They should have stayed there!
Hey, who doesn't want to take a relaxing climb in the "CORRIDOR OF DEATH"?
🤣 AKA the bowling Alley… I remember legging across here with boulders flying past me, it was actually very exhilarating. A member of our team in the group behind us got hit by a boulder on the climb down from the hut prior to reaching the bowling alley. She had to get air lifted off and was in hospital for two weeks.
What a gutsy lady.
Respect due.
I have been there, at a bad time in the evening. After the hut had been closed for a week.
Arriving there, a dozen of rocks of various sizes literally came WHOOPING by, tumbling through the air.
I only dared to move on after it stayed quiet for some minutes afterwards.
People under-estimate the danger, until they may have seen a video like this, or seen the death toll.
It remains the most crowded route because it is the shortest. As a result it will continue to have the highest death toll.
But do remember even the other standard routes have dangers, like avalanches on the north sides of Tacul and Maudit.
Yeah, that's why you won't find me on any of them 😏
Sooo. Did she followed to the top or turned back after rock fall?
or be in a line that is secure on other side then can move rather safely fast down and to side, or secured on both sides and with a metal loop around it mabye lower on going to side. , simple tools drill powder patrons metal pole can make a hole in ground for safety in few places. or fasteners for structure that shields . could be stone used for that held by rope or wire to fastener .
If you know this happens often at this location it seems insane to climb here. Whatever floats your boat I guess.
OMG! Thank god she was ok. Many large rocks just missed her. Im proud of her just waiting it out. How was her neck injury?
upsetting that no one reply's to any comments where people inquire about what happened in the video, gives you the feeling that the video isn't the persons who posted it, what a shame...
@@chriswiggins4842 she was rescued later on via helicopter 😎👍
Back in the '80s, I crossed that couloir four times. Didn't know it had a bad reputation until a few months ago when these videos starting pooping up here on RUclips!
I never experienced anything like this. Maybe I crossed early enough in the morning to avoid the danger.
God helps her! I am very happt that she is in good health!
I would be thinking, any moment now and it’s going to be lights out for me.
There was some big ones, sooo so lucky!!!
Man right when it started to slow down a big ass rock hits her right in the helmet
2:42
Avalanche Gulch on Mt Shasta in August is another dangerous location when the sun hits the rocks frozen in ice.
Chance is pretty good she got some whiplash from those two hits. And a bit of a rattle. 🎉
When the camera zooms out and you grasp the gradient...😖
Dedejos
Nothing says" hey jackasses you shouldn't be here" better than a good ol rock slide
Best comment ever 🎉
i would forbid going to such places and add a catch-if someone breaks the law and go, he's gone. no search parties , jeopardysing more people , etc.. he's just gone
What causes the rocks to start tumbling from above?
Dans ce genre d'endroit c'est de l'érosion naturelle. C'est tous les jours quand l'air se réchauffe et que les rochers situés plus haut dégèlent. Ils se brisent, se fragmentent et dévalent la pente. C'est pour cela qu'il y a autant de pierres éparpillées au bas de ce couloir, et pour cela que des pierres tombent tout le temps dans ce couloir. Et donc on préfère toujours traverser ce couloir le matin très tôt, quand il faut encore très froid pour que les rochers soient encore gelés et que les rochers situés plus haut tiennent bien en place et que le minimum de pierres dévalent la pente au moment où on y est.
@@videos1637 thank you for taking the time to explain. I would never have guessed this. Fascinating (and very dangerous!)
You're welcome. (Unfortunately this is the only way to get where they are going. There is another one but it is worse and it seems to me that it is no longer in use).
Been there 3 years ago. We had luck we didn't have such a situation. 😢
I was watching until the backpack moves into the picture from the right and for a split second I thought it was a huge rock mass heading toward the climber and I nearly had a heart attack.
Sure I’ll bo rock climbing with you guys. Sounds like a hoot and what could go wrong?
Well that’s terrifying!
Posting at 1:00 mark: the sound of the rocks is awesome!
That has to be the scariest thing someone can experience ever
I considered to be excessive care from the guides to put a lot of attention to this crossings on the way up, then on the way down one of the ladies of my party felt from the cornise right before this pass, the helicopter took her to the hospital but we had the time to see at all the rooks speeding down the hill . 2006
Is there no way around this couloir?
Mountain: Hmm dry weather causes dandruff
Humans: AHHHHHHhhHHhhHhhh h h hhhhh ah ahhhhhhh AHHHHHHHH..............!
I know a surefire way to avoid such danger - can you work out what it is?
Yeah, it's leading a boring life. All mountaineers know that they are much safer not being in the mountain. But you don't go into the mountains to avoid danger. You go in spite of it. Your sense of life and living is amplified so much in the mountains, you can't put it into words to convey it to some couch potato. It has to be experienced. It's your life, if you're content with just watching TV and playing video games, totally your choice. I'll never be one to say you SHOULD go summit a peak. But, for many of us, despite our harrowing experiences, we keep going back. It's like a drug that heals the soul.
After getting hit at 2:43 she is saying that she is starting to lose consciousness
:( thanks for telling anyway. i was curious
I remember this part of ocarina of time, on death mountain
Is this a Zelda phrase?
Yea, that looks real fun
Some of the rocks seem to be travelling three times the speed of others
Hello Katrina, I am working on a documentary about Mont-Blanc for French TV. I would like to know if we could use your video. Many thanks, Mélissa
You are very LUCKY😯
That was horrifying
Why would you take your head away from protection when rocks are still falling??
Wow. Firs time I watched I was truly scared for her. The second time I was surprisingly emotional for her. Mountaineers are extraordinary people.
@Jim Blogs Stay calm and live risk-free life in your mother's basement.
@Jim Blogs enjoy your “dull little life” and stop telling everyone else to have the same or else they are “stupid”
@Jim Blogs
Life is risk.
My friend went hiking a steep mountain when a goat falling down towards him and they both survived the fall.
That must have been awful. You know how desperately those people wanted to help, but couldn’t.
これは怖い…皆さんが生還出来て本当に良かった。
몽불랑 2회 등반.때 두번 왕복해서 건너갔는데. 이 프로 보니 옛 등반 생각이나네.
It’s like the mountain wants to go bowling and these hikers are the pins.