17-year-old climber crashes on Pollux

On April 16, 2021 around 10:30 a.m., a fatal mountain accident occurred on Pollux (4089 m above sea level) in the canton of Valais. A 17-year-old climber lost his life in the process.

After spending the night at Bivacco Rossi e. Volante CAI, the two alpinists climbed the Pollux via the southwest ridge. When the two were on the descent, the 17-year-old climber lost his footing while manipulating his crampons and fell 200 meters.

His 22-year-old companion immediately dialed the emergency number. The rescue workers who flew to the scene of the accident in an Air-Zermatt helicopter were only able to determine the death of the person who had crashed.

The victim is a 17-year-old French national residing in France.

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Credits: Cover picture Adrian Michael CC BY 3.0, Text Canton Police Valais

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Many more foreign people have fatal accidents

Mountain emergency statistics 2023: In the Swiss Alps last year, 3501 people were in distress and 114 people had fatal accidents.

Seb Berthe repeats Trad masterpiece Bon Voyage (9a)

Seb Berthe secures the third ascent of Bon Voyage in Annot, probably the most difficult trad route in the world.

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