French Writer And Anti-Ski Lift Activist Pierre Chapoutot Killed in Avalanche

The alpinist and writer Pierre Chapoutot has been killed by an avalanche on the crête de Lachat in the Lauzière range close to the ski resort of Valmorel. A climber of considerable repute he had opened a number of routes in the Oisans. Passionate about the mountain environment Mr. Chapoutot was known as a straight-talker and had most recently been campaigning against the further enchroachment of ski lifts in the Beafortain. More controversially he had defended the bombing of the la Grave cable car during construction in an article published in 1977.

Climber and writer Pierre Chapoutot killed by Valmorel Avalanche
January 20, 2006