Stephane Brosse | IAN CORLESS

Press Release

It is with great sadness that we have learnt the death of Stéphane Brosse, in the middle of his challenge, ‘the grande traversée’ that he was sharing with Kilian.
Both loved the mountains, and knew each other for a long time sharing the same respect for one another.
‘La grande traversée’ was a project they had set up together, a challenge up to their passion and talent.
It is on the last part, just before going downhill, that the ridge they were on collapsed, taking stéphane within this spilling.
Kilian remained helpless whilst waiting for the rescue team.
All our thoughts go to Stéphane’s family in those difficult times.
We wish a lot of strength to Kilian to overcome this tragedy.
As Kilian wishes to stay with Stéphane’s family to support them, he will not be present at the Western State 100.

The Salomon Team

Anna Frost (Frosty) writes an excellent blog post here of her last time with Kilian and Stephane as they embarked on this tragic journey.

News has just come in that Stephane Brosse has fallen to a his death while attempting to cross Mont Blanc with Kilian Jornet.

Details are not clear of this tragedy at this moment. This is taken from Endurancemag:

Stéphane Brosse died today from a 600 meter fall after a snow cornice broke on aiguille d’Argentière. He was attempting the crossing of the Mont-Blanc massif with Kilian Jornet. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends.

Kilian has only recently provided detail of his new long term project “Summits of my Life’ and this crossing is part of that project.

Taken from Kilians Facebook page, this post was made 11 hours ago:

They had a well earned night and start again at 6 a.m to finish their way to Champex village.
Expected timing:

start from Couvercle hut at 6 a.m
Top of les Courtes at 8 a.m
down the Nord-Est des Courtes at 9ish
up to the Y couloir at Argentière needle, summit around 11 a.m
Down Barbey couloir + 1 h
Fenetre de Saleina et val D’Arpette+ 2 heures
Arriving at Chalet du CAF by the lac in Champex 1 or 2 p.m.

Taken from the Millet website, here is an outline of Stephanes career:

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Competitions:

Winner of the Pierra-Menta : 2001, 2005 and 2006

Winner of the Patrouille des Glaciers : 2004 and 2006

Winner at Trofeo Mezzalama : 2005

World champion in individual 2002

World champion in relay 2004

World champion in team 2006

Records:

Mont Blanc in ski (Chamonix – Mont Blanc – Chamonix) in 5 ¼ hours in 2003

Chamonix – Zermatt (church to church) in 21:11 hours

Crossing of Belledone by the summits (Chamrousse – Col du Lucheron) in 16:40 hours in 2010

Steep slope:

Opening of the Crossing of the Diots, Aravis 2008

Chain Devoluy range 2009

Chain Armet range 2009

1st ski descent without belay of the Nant Blanc (Aiguille Verte) Mont Blanc range in 2009

Our thoughts go out to Stephane’s family, friends, Kilian Jornet and the related community on this very sad day.

UPDATE 18:23 17th June GMT

Press release by Kilian –
“We regret that during the attempted crossing of Mont Blanc and Stéphane Brosse Kilian took place this morning Stéphane lost their lives due to an unfortunate accident. Kilian is physically well, and in these difficult times, is devoting all his energies to support the family of Stephane and friends. In the coming days will be issued an official statement. Thank you for your understanding and support right now. Kilian team”