Last summer, renowned French extreme mountaineer and mountain guide Christophe Profit ended up in court after removing several safety poles on the busy normal route on Mont Blanc in 2022. Now he has struck a second time.
Christopher Profit has after his controversial action in 2022 again permanently installed safety equipment on the normal route of the Mont Blanc removed. As the French newspaper Le Dauphine Libéré reports, the top French alpinist dismantled three wooden posts and a fixed rope on the Bossesgrat at an altitude of around 29 meters on August 4600. The additional safety equipment had been installed on August 27 after an alpinist slipped and fell to his death just a few days earlier.
Fundamental debate reignited
Christophe Profit did not remove the material in secret, but officially informed the Chamonix mountain rescue service and the Bonneville public prosecutor about his actions.
The French alpinist caused intense discussions in the mountaineering scene in 2022 after he unilaterally removed four safety poles at an exposed point on the normal route. These had previously been used by mountain guides to be able to belay their clients quickly and comfortably through a crevasse zone.
Christophe Profit continues to believe that inexperienced mountaineers are given a false sense of security due to the equipment installed on the Bossesgrat, especially since there is an easier alternative route on the north side, the Dédé-Rhem variant, which he developed.
Other alpinists and mountain guides argue that this type of permanently installed material increases safety on the much-traveled mountain. Profit's latest action will reignite the fundamental debate about equipment on Mont Blanc.
Another trip to court
Christophe Profit will also have to face court again. According to Le Dauphine Libéré, the mayor of Saint-Gervais has already announced that he will file a new complaint. Last year, the case was brought to trial because of the stolen metal bars and the associated complaint of theft.
The Bonneville court acquitted Profit of the charge of stealing the two poles on the Italian side, but fined him 600 euros for removing and stealing the poles installed on the French side, specifically in the municipality of Saint-Gervais. Profit appealed, but is still awaiting a new trial date.
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Credits: Cover picture Michael Annaert | Unsplash