A Polish climber who wanted to be airlifted off the top of Mont Blanc because he was “scared” had his request flatly turned down. He was also refused permission to hire a private helicopter to airlift him, and was forced to make his down the same way he came up – by foot.
This is due to the local Mountain Rescue Service and the mayor of Saint-Gervais, the closest village becoming annoyed with climbers who are ill-prepared. The story is entertaining and one’s sympathy is certainly not with the climber.
However the story does highlight how Rescue Services are constantly putting themselves at risk to rescue people who are, at best naïve, and at worst downright irresponsible!
The article states that there between 350 and 400 climbing parties attempting to climb Mont Blanc every day in summer.
As the article points out mountains are not like amusement parks, and people should ensure that are fully competent, experienced and equipped before undertaking any adventure that has the potential to put someone else’s life at risk
Mountain Rescue Services throughout the world provide an invaluable service and the brave men and women who volunteer for these services are all heroes!
Read the article in the Telegraph – and make sure you’re not the one making the next headline.
