Gustave-Alfred Couttet (1897-1925)
Birthplace:
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Haute-Savoie, France
Born:
July 31, 1897
Died:
September 2, 1925
Gustave Alfred Couttet, born July 31, 1897, died at Les Drus on September 2, 1925, was a French mountaineer and mountain guide. He is the son of Joseph Edouard Couttet and Marie Judith Borel. On September 2, 1925, he disappeared at Les Drus on September 2, 1925, his favorite mountains. He was approaching the top of the Grand Dru when a hold gave way under his pull. The unfortunate was thrown into space; he passed above his companions, Mr. Helburn and the guide Camille Tournier, above a second rope which followed. His rope was cut by the rock or broke and he crashed 450 meters below on the glacier. A rescue caravan brought the body of the unfortunate Couttet to Chamonix where his death caused great emotion. Gustave Alfred Couttet was 28 years old. He was an accomplished boy. Friendly and full of life, he loved to help. Those who had attempted races with him - and to attempt with him was to succeed - remained his friends and admirers. Gustave Alfred Couttet was an excellent mountaineer. His skill, his "gut" in difficult circumstances, his devotion were unmatched. He had successfully crossed the Drus 14 times and the Grépon 33 times. He had filmed, in perilous positions, the mountain film "La Traversée du Grépon" which many mountaineers have admired. He leaves a wife (born Marie Jeanne Mathilde Jullien whose marriage was celebrated on October 7, 1922 in Culoz) and a six-month-old child.