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”
IAN CORLESS 