The Terrifying Last Minutes of Elite Rock Climber Chloé Graftiaux

Comments · 359

• TH

  @TheExtreme-Edge · 1 month ago · pinned

  Do YOU think Chloé Graftiaux and Nicolas made the right decision to untie from the rope once the East Ridge became easier terrain, knowing that moving unroped was standard practice and allowed them to descend faster, or does the fact that Chloé’s 1,200-foot fall became completely unstoppable the instant something went wrong prove that speed should never take priority over being physically connected to your climbing partner on terrain where one mistake means certain death?<br><br>Watch More: <br>The Coward of Everest: The Lie That Fooled the World<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWzNsfjafJI">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWzNsfjafJI</a><br><br>🚨 For more extreme stories, join me on Patreon - I&apos;d love to see you! <a href="http://patreon.com/TheeXtreme">http://patreon.com/TheeXtreme</a>

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• OB

  @observer991 · 1 month ago (edited)

  I started cleaning windows in Houston, Tx in 1983 when I was 26 years old. I only worked on ground level windows. However, within a few months, there were some nice buildings that I could make very good money cleaning their windows, but they were two stories high. I bought a special ladder that is used just for window cleaning. It had four sections and would reach up to 22 feet high. <br>Soon enough, there were opportunities to clean buildings 3, 4 and 5 stories. I bought special ropes used for rappelling down buildings. Within a couple years, I got the contracts on some 8 and 10 story buildings. With some of those multi-story buildings came atriums that were 2-6 stories high. On many of them, there wasn&apos;t anything I could tie off to near the top, so I had to clean a lot of windows by walking ledges that were sometimes very small. <br>I soon learned how to bring my focus up to levels while in extremely dangerous situations that I wouldn&apos;t have thought possible in the years previous. My life was in the balance a few times if I didn&apos;t focus intently after putting myself in some extremely dangerous situations from being too aggressive or making a mistake. <br>Atriums were far more dangerous than rappelling down the side of 20 story buildings because on many atriums, I couldn&apos;t use ropes. Within the first few years of cleaning windows on multi-story buildings, I had had more brushes with death than I would&apos;ve ever imagined. <br>I had a few of my employees to have several brushes with death and these were very experienced window washers. Finally, one day, it hit me like a Mack truck. I realized that sooner or later, my number would come up, and my wife and children would be without a husband and a father. Not too long after that cold reality hit me, I sold all of my equipment and got out of the window cleaning business. <br>I often wonder how many of these mountain climbers have such thoughts about their number&apos;s coming up sooner or later. When one has several close calls within a few weeks, it doesn&apos;t take a rocket scientist to understand that one cannot keep pushing the limits and expect to keep beating the odds. My condolences to Chloe&apos;s family and friends. She died much too early in life.

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• DA

  @darksoul479 · 1 month ago

  As soon as you start thinking the mountain is nothing to fear you&apos;re done.

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• BE

  @BenjaminBen-David · 1 month ago

  Whenever I hear the word &quot;Extreme&quot; associated with any sport like mountaineering, the clock is already ticking to the final tragic mistake.

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• SU

  @SusanFromTexas204 · 1 month ago

  I believe Chloe just had an accident. You can&apos;t be perfect 100% of the time. I hope everyone can stop the whispers about her poor partner.

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• JA

  @JamesStreet-tp1vb · 1 month ago

  The best way to avoid falling off a mountain, 100% effective, is to never go up the mountain.

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• ZE

  @Zemlja_je_ravna · 1 month ago (edited)

  What held someone up yesterday doesn&apos;t mean it will hold you up tomorrow. Mountains erode naturally, and relying blindly on a path just because others survived it is deceptive, repeated use by climbers, combined with rapid weather cycles, can progressively weaken already-fractured rock until it finally gives way.

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• SO

  @SOCALGT500 · 1 month ago

  I have no theories on her falling. But my heart goes out to her family and friends. May she rest in Peace in Heaven. Truly heartbreaking.

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• DL

  @dldever · 1 month ago

  A significant source of positive emotions for those who enjoy it, those feelings do not lessen the danger or the risk inherent in mountain climbing. Chloé fell victim to an accident. That risk is always present, regardless of how much preparation, skill, or experience a climber has.

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• EA

  @easypeezie4494 · 1 month ago

  Climbing down is always scarier

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• CH

  @Chiller01 · 1 month ago

  It’s a tragic accident. The pair were obviously done with the abseiling pitches. The decision to travel roped together or to simulsolo down a steep scramble section is an individual one. These two were experienced alpinists and felt comfortable individually scrambling down the descent. Unfortunately mountaineering carries a degree of risk. Chloé’s fall whether due to rockfall, a failing hold or some other reason was just another terrible accident.

  9

• OL

  @Olan... · 1 month ago

  What a sad story, i really feel for her partner and cannot imagine how he must have felt knowing she had fallen .What a tragic loss for the climbing world and especially her family.

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