TMB Arpette Variant: Dangerous Section Where a 6–7m Fall Occurred

During a journey on the TMB, a trekking course connecting the borders of France, Italy, and Switzerland, a terrifying accident occurred where a hiker slipped on the Arpette Variant course, which offers close views of glaciers. According to a video from the YouTube channel 'Hiking JSun', during the 7th day of the TMB itinerary conducted on August 18, 2026, a hiker was seen tumbling approximately 6–7m down a rocky section.

The Arpette Variant: A Grueling Course Starting from a Damp Campsite

The presenter in the video began the 7th day of hiking from a campsite near Chamonix. Due to rain the previous day, the campsite next to the lake was very damp, and the presenter expressed the hardship of equipment not drying, such as wet bags, shoes, and socks, stating, "I hate wet tents most in the world." A short walk up from the point where they got off the bus at the Chamonix campsite marks the start of today's trailhead.

Instead of crossing the Bobin Pass, which is the regular course used by most hikers, the presenter chose the Arpette Variant course to see the glaciers more closely. While this route offers excellent glacier views, it is extremely physically demanding. The presenter explained the situation of having to increase the altitude by about 1,100m over a 5km section, comparing the difficulty to the route from Baekmu-dong to Jeseokbong Peak in Korea.

Indeed, as they entered the middle of the section, a rapid ascent followed. At the 3km mark, after only increasing the altitude by 270m, a rugged path appeared where they had to climb another 890m over the remaining 3km. The presenter expressed their struggle, calling it a "section where my thighs feel like they will burst." The terrain consisted of repeated scree fields and switchbacks, continuing through rugged terrain with rocky peaks rising through the clouds. The presenter also mentioned that the terrain in this section is similar to Fugakushi Karasawa in Japan.

Slip Accident in the Rocky Section and the Danger of the Site

The path toward Col d'Arpette requires caution as it includes rocky sections. The presenter compared the difficulty of this section to Gwittaegicheongbong Peak in Korea, noting that hikers who do not prefer such terrain should avoid this course. The rocky section showed topographical characteristics where rocks continuously crumble down.

While passing through the rocky section, an accident occurred where a hiker, who had just been exchanging friendly greetings, tumbled about 6–7m right before their eyes. Fortunately, the hiker who suffered the accident stopped at a certain distance and did not fall deeper, appearing to have avoided serious injury. However, the presenter emphasized the danger of the site, saying, "Seeing something like this happen right in front of my eyes is enough to cause trauma." Immediately after the accident, the video captured the hiker disinfecting with water and taking time to stabilize.

Passing through such dangerous terrain, the presenter recommended taking out travel insurance to prepare for accidents that may occur during hiking trips in Switzerland. In particular, they mentioned that helicopter rescue costs can be very high and advised setting the medical coverage limit to the maximum when traveling to expensive countries.

Glacier Scenery at the Summit of Col d'Arpette at 2,665m Altitude

Having pushed through the danger of the accident, the altitude of Col d'Arpette reached 2,665m above sea level. This place is known as the point where one can see the glaciers most closely among the TMB courses. Near the summit, a massive glacier unfolded before their eyes along with a snow-covered landscape, providing an overwhelming view even under weather conditions with strong winds. The presenter expressed satisfaction with the scenery encountered after the grueling hike, saying, "It was worth coming up."

A high-altitude lake was also observed near the summit. Afterwards, the descent consists of slopes as steep as the ascent, requiring caution. The presenter continued the descent toward Chalet du Glacier and proceeded with the journey toward the Le Petit campsite.