Shock and grief have struck the mountaineering community of Patras and beyond following the tragic death of 33-year-old Dimitris Kantas. The 33-year-old climber from Patras met a tragic end during his descent on the deadly Goûter corridor of Mont Blanc. The unfortunate mountaineer, a physicist, athlete and mountain enthusiast, lost his balance and fell into the void, with no chance of rescue. French authorities report a technical error at a point that has claimed the lives of more than 100 people.
Read: Alps: Tragic death for 33-year-old mountaineer from Patras, died on Mont Blanc’s “corridor of death”
Greek mountaineering club mourns 33-year-old from Patras
The Greek Mountaineering Club (EOS) of Patras expressed its grief over the death of the young mountaineer, who was a physicist, basketball athlete and alpinist.
In its statement, the Club described him as an «active and beloved person, member of the mountaineering community with passion for mountains, freedom and exploration».
In its post, EOS Patras writes: «With deep sorrow we learned of the tragic loss of Dimitris Kantas, who lost his life during the descent on the Mont Blanc massif in France.
Dimitris was an active and beloved person, member of the mountaineering community, with passion for mountains, freedom and exploration.
EOS Patras expresses its warm condolences to his family.
We will always remember him with appreciation and respect.
Safe journey Dimitris».
Fell into void during descent
The unfortunate Dimitris Kantas reportedly died after losing his balance and falling into the void during descent from the refuge Goûter, at an altitude of 3,835 meters. This particular refuge is considered the last station for climbers ascending Mont Blanc via the most popular route. The descent is considered equally important and often more dangerous, due to fatigue, weather changes and passage through the Grand Couloir, which is one of the most dangerous areas of the route.
Immediately, eyewitnesses alerted the Chamonix Mountain Rescue. The helicopter Dragon 74 of Civil Security operated at the scene. However, rescuers were unable to provide assistance. The 33-year-old Dimitris had already died.
A report on the tragic incident appears in Liberation which states that the climber of Greek nationality «carried a “heavy backpack” and likely made a “technical error”». The French newspaper notes that this particular section of the route is called the «corridor of death» as more than 100 people have been killed and it’s known for daily rockfall during summer.
Full Liberation report:
Another person was found dead at one of the most dangerous points of the Mont Blanc massif. A 33-year-old man of Greek nationality lost his life on Monday, August 4, after falling in the upper section of the Goûter corridor, as announced by the Chamonix Mountain Rescue (PGHM) to the French Press Agency (AFP), confirming a related report by France 3 Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
The man, according to PGHM, carried a «heavy backpack» and likely made a «technical error». His body was found late in the morning by rescuers, after falling several hundred meters. The unfortunate climber was descending alone and without rope. His fall, according to authorities, may be due to a «combination of factors» such as «fatigue», the «heavy backpack» or a «momentary lack of attention».
The Goûter corridor, located below the Goûter refuge (France’s highest at 3,835 meters), is one of the most dangerous points of the classic route to Mont Blanc’s summit. More than one hundred people have lost their lives in this dangerous section of the route, often called the «corridor of death» and known for daily rockfall during summer. In June, a 24-year-old American woman also lost her life at the same spot.
