Climbers survive rockfall on Mont Blanc's Goûter Couloir

Footage captured by a climber on Mont Blanc on Tuesday shows a massive cascade of rocks tumbling down the Goûter Couloir, the steep gully commonly referred to as “Death Pass.” The video, posted to a popular mountaineering forum, depicts dozens of boulders dislodging from the upper slopes and racing down the narrow corridor that is a primary route for summit attempts during the summer season. The incident occurred near the 3,800‑meter refuge, a section of the route that has been identified in previous safety assessments as prone to frequent rockfall.

Local authorities and the French mountain rescue service have acknowledged the footage, confirming that the rockfall aligns with a recent increase in unstable conditions on the Mont Blanc massif. The incident has prompted the prefecture to issue a temporary advisory urging climbers to exercise heightened caution, especially during early morning ascents when freeze‑thaw cycles can exacerbate rock detachment. While no injuries were reported in connection with the specific event, officials reiterate that the Goûter Couloir remains one of the most hazardous sections of the climb and advise prospective summiters to monitor weather updates and adhere to established safety protocols.