It was feared, the decision fell this Monday evening. The first departures of the 2024 Glacier Patrol are canceled.
CEO press release:
The commander of the Patrouille des Glaciers gives absolute priority to the safety of the patrollers as well as that of the soldiers and civilians who work on the route. The weather situation and the latest forecasts for Tuesday evening, Wednesday and Thursday, as well as the advice of the specialists stationed along the route, led him to cancel the Z1 and A1 races.
A deterioration coming from the northwest causes temperatures to drop, with up to -25° C felt above 3000m, and wind gusts of up to 50 km/h on the ridges and summits. Despite this, at low altitude, the wet snow will not be able to consolidate sufficiently for patrols to pass. Another crucial point, the accumulation of clouds and the fog expected all along the route from Tuesday to Thursday could prevent any medical evacuation by air during the race.
The PdG commander and the entire organization share the disappointment of the patrols who prepared for this long-awaited meeting. He is counting on everyone’s understanding of the decision that had to be made.