a hiker dies on the GR20

Friday May 3, a man died on the northern route of the GR20, in the town of Calenzana. The person who accompanied him is in serious condition. Both had been trapped the day before by snow and cold, at an altitude of nearly 2,000 meters.

One of the two hikers trapped on the northern route of the GR 20 has died, according to the emergency services.

Aged 50 and from the continent, the man was accompanied by a person who was evacuated this Friday, May 3 in the morning to the Calvi hospital center. “She is in serious condition.”specifies the Haute-Corse Fire and Rescue Service (Sis 2B).

The alert was given around 8:20 p.m., on the evening of Thursday, May 2.

The two hikers found themselves in difficulty at almost 2,000 meters above sea level, between the Ortu di u Piobbu and Carrozzu refuges, both located in the municipality of Calenzana.

“They found themselves stranded by snow, cold and night, explained Major Patrice Bonissone of the PGHM early this morning. They were therefore asked to try to establish a bivouac. They are equipped, having a tent and a sleeping bag. We communicate with them by text message.”

At the start of the evening, bad weather conditions did not allow the high mountain gendarmerie platoon to intervene with the helicopter.

Consequently, a caravan of several rescuers went to the site by land. However, due to swollen streams along the route, she had to turn back.

This Friday morning, operations had resumed.

“A land caravan left from Mausoleo to join the GR at Bocca di Tartagine in order to descend towards Ortu di u Piobbu, Major Bonissone told us around 7:30 a.m., indicating that a “Helicopter attempt was to take place around 8:30 a.m.”.

The Civil Security Dragon 20 helicopter therefore went to the scene early this morning with a doctor and two PGHM gendarmes on board.

Although they were unable to do anything regarding the deceased fifty-year-old, emergency services were able to evacuate the second hiker to Calvi hospital.

Aged 40 and also from the continent, “his days would not be in danger”indicates a close Source.

The report by Océane da Cunha and Anna Perron: