British Hiker Finds Six Bodies At Neige Cordier Summit Of French Alps

A British hiker traveling through the French Alps discovered six bodies on Sunday, according to officials.

The corpses were found at a very steep section of the Neige Cordier summit at roughly 8,850 feet. They were soon transported by helicopter to the nearby town of Villar d'Aren, village mayor Xavier Cret told the AFP.

"The victims were climbing roped together in two groups. It looks like there was a slide of snow and stones mixed together," Cret said, adding that the six mountaineers likely died on Saturday after falling around 650 feet.

According to CNN, a French police report indicated that the hikers "could have been victims of a broken snow bridge, a fall or an avalanche," and that "all hypotheses are possible."

Local rescue police said that the British hiker discovered the bodies as he was traveling upon the same route they had taken the one day prior.

Comments

[phantasma]

01:43 AM on 06/30/2011

I suppose it's free speech however when reporting accidental deaths such as these, I wish Huff Post would disable the ability to comment. Except for a very few most are insulting to the deceased and their families.

[Codefile]

03:06 PM on 06/29/2011

I get my "kicks" playing new guitar pieces. I have
broken a few strings and have blisters on my fingers;
however....no deaths. I saw the same view as the climbers from a pix.

[pmoc333]

03:05 PM on 06/29/2011

At least they were living their lives, doing what they enjoyed.... They had to have known that there was risk involved with climbing up to the summit and I'm sure they took precautions... but, nature took its course. Condolences to the families and friends of the deceased and may they rest in peace.

[sirdanster]

11:30 AM on 06/29/2011

It's all George Costanza's fault. He was so worried about throwing down a sandwich to Tony that the ropes gave way and they all perished.

[catbyte]

12:31 PM on 06/29/2011

I know I shouldn't laugh, but...

[BigLeftbowski]

03:14 PM on 06/29/2011

This makes me think of an ad that showed a broken rope with a mountain backdrop in the background and a caption underneath that read "If it breaks, just bring it in, we'll replace it for free!". It was espousing quality of construction for the company's product over warranties.

[Vondrazy Priest]

11:12 AM on 06/29/2011

This is so sad. That's why it pays to stay focused on Jesus Christ cause your last hour is completely unknown.

[catbyte]

12:33 PM on 06/29/2011

No, perhaps they should just stay focused on the dangerous activity they are engaging in.

[annetuthill]

02:47 PM on 06/29/2011

It is very sad, and I'm sorry for their families that are left behind. I agree with you 100%, since we don't know the day or the hour, let's at least be ready when the time comes.

[lindayb]

10:53 AM on 06/29/2011

you just never know what your last day will be...

[Bladesmith]

10:24 AM on 06/29/2011

Bloody french Yetis, with their Berets and stinky cigarettes, miming the climbers to death.

[Ryan Butters]

06:35 AM on 06/29/2011

Maybe it's just me but perhaps it was easier for them knowing they were all going out together.

[Tiberiu Iacomi]

04:53 AM on 06/29/2011

Unbelievable!

[igotbanned6]

10:19 PM on 06/28/2011

In this day and age of civilization why do people feel the need to continually put their lives at risk for "entertainment"....really? Skydiving, cliff diving, bungee jumping, skateboarding stunts, high flying dirt bike or snowmobile jumps, etc.

Im sorry, but these people are crazy. Jumping out of a perfectly good airplane for fun?

[Jackie2000]

11:15 PM on 06/28/2011

It's a calculated risk -- you try to make it as safe as you can -- planning, preparation, practice, precautions -- but nothing is 100% "safe".
I scuba and have bungee jumped and skydived -- and try to engage in these activities with the right people and under the right circumstances.
It's FUN!!!!!
I really admire those who can go a bit further into the xtreme realm - I would LOVE that!
(someday....maybe)

It's called "living"......and better than sitting on a couch....or ending up debilitated years later in a nursing home because of being inactive and unhealthy.

Quite frankly, I think it's riskier going to work on the freeway everyday -- I have no control over the daily deluge of reckless drivers -- cutting corners, running red lights, swerving in front of me. It happens daily!

We are ALL going to go at some point -- I'd rather it be doing something exhilarating, fun and in nature than curled up in a nursing home or some idiot driver on the highway.
I'm not trying to exit early -- but I'm def going to live it up while I can.

To each his own, I guess.

[Ryan Butters]

06:33 AM on 06/29/2011

It used to be called "living", an activity which has been replaced in modern society by the Burger King drive through, Cheetos and America's Got Talent.

[EyeballKid]

10:03 AM on 06/29/2011

Well, "living", by your definition, includes turning off the television... not a bad idea.

[Squiriferous]

08:12 PM on 06/28/2011

I wish mountain climbing were more popular. Make of that what you will.

[Ed Haskell]

08:52 PM on 06/28/2011

Misanthrope

[LiveTheSheenDream]

12:27 AM on 06/29/2011

Nope, environmentalist.

[Mongoose king]

06:48 PM on 06/28/2011

You do know the risks, I salute their stretching their spirit.

[artfuldodger10]

06:29 PM on 06/28/2011

Someone has to die once in a while to keep this sport alive!

[artfuldodger10]

06:12 PM on 06/28/2011

Doesn't someone have to die once in a while to keep this sport alive? Like skydiving, the thing that makes it exciting is the chance you might die!

[saysaycollins]

04:08 PM on 06/28/2011

eeeeeeeek! I would never want to find that! I think I would pass out.

[Jazmo]

08:25 PM on 06/28/2011

Even though in those conditions they would be kind of mummified, finding 6 people like that - Yikes! That would stay with a person for a while.

[Ed Haskell]

08:53 PM on 06/28/2011

They fell the day before. They wouldn't be "kind of mummified."