Two British climbers die on Mont Blanc
source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/britainfranceclimbingaccident_newsmlmmd
-
-
- gaiusfurius
- added this
The two men, Rob Gauntlett and James Atkinson, both 21, were found under the Gervasutti route up Tacul, a 4,360-metre peak in the Mont Blanc massif of the French Alps, after Saturday's fatal fall, police told AFP.
On May 17, 2006, Gauntlett became the first British teenager to reach the highest point in the world, the 8,848 metre peak of Everest in the Nepalese Himalayas.
He celebrated his 19th birthday at Everest base camp, joined by his school friend James Hooper, also 19.
They were also named National Geographic Adventure magazine's Adventurers of the Year in 2008 for travelling from the North Geomagnetic Pole, starting in Greenland, to the South Magnetic Pole using only human and natural power -- skis, bikes and boats.
The pair were both on holiday in the Alps this weekend when tragedy struck, and both Gauntlett and Atkinson died.
Speaking to Britain's Press Association news agency from Chamonix, Hooper said of Gauntlett: "I'm obviously devastated but I'm just trying to remember the fact that he was a wonderful person and he inspired me and others in so many different ways."
The youngest climber to ever ascend Everest was a 15-year-old Nepalese Sherpa called Temba Tsheri, who succeeded in May 2001 despite having lost five fingers to frostbite on a previous attempt.
-
- groups:
- News and Politics, Culture, WTF
-
- tags:
- News and Politics, Culture, WTF, Climbing, 4 more
-
-
cerealforeal
-
Mont Blanc has taken more lives than any other. To conquer that is truly an achievement, one that is highly underestimated just because of the height of Everest.
- 3 years ago
-
cerealforeal
-
-
richjm
-
David Beckham's joined those paying tribute to Rob Gauntlett. Becks filmed an advert with him when Rob, then 19, became the youngest Brit to conquer Everest.
His spokesman said Beckham was impressed with Gauntlett's“strength of character and warm personality."
- 3 years ago
-
richjm
-
-
hydrokat
-
That is a Bummer. Kid had alot going for Him. World loses another good one.
- 3 years ago
-
hydrokat
-
-
yuniversal3 [removed]
- This comment was removed as a violation of community guidelines.
-
yuniversal3 [removed]
-
-
akamaial [removed]
-
yuniversal3:
I do agree
- 3 years ago
-
akamaial [removed]
-
-
gaiusfurius
-
Yes, but to die playing is not a good way to die. Unles you don't see it coming. But thet were real men's men you got to give them that. I hate the cold, I can work in 130 degrees all day, but put me in the snow and I am a pussy.
- 3 years ago
-
gaiusfurius
-
-
akamaial [removed]
-
Never the less, they went out facing a challenge.
- 3 years ago
-
akamaial [removed]
-
-
gaiusfurius
-
Shoulda steered clear of France.
- 3 years ago
-
gaiusfurius
