Until the end of the 18th century, Mont Blanc and its satellite peaks were collectively known in French as the Montagne Maudite.

This route was first climbed by Moriz von Kuffner with guides Alexander Burgener and Josef Furrer from 2–4 July 1887.

Ascents of the ridge start from the hut on the Col du Trident and take at least seven to eight hours.

The avalanche struck at 5 am, as the climbers began their climb up one of the most popular, but dangerous, routes up the mountain.

Éric Fournier, the mayor of Chamonix–Mont Blanc, described the snowslide as one of the deadliest in recent years.