Obituary: Benjamin Duhamel, 34, Daring Aviator and Mont Blanc Mountaineer
Chamonix, France / United States – Benjamin Duhamel, a celebrated American pilot and mountain climber, died tragically in a mountaineering accident on Mont Blanc on July 10, 2025, officials confirmed. He was 34 years old.
An accomplished aviator based in North America, Benjamin was in Europe to lead an expedition and fly aerial tours over the Alps. A seasoned pilot and devoted mountaineer, he had forged a reputation for skillfully capturing breathtaking aerial footage and guiding clients up challenging Alpine routes.
A Life Between Skies and Summits
Born in Seattle, Washington, Benjamin was drawn early on to both flying and climbing. He earned his private pilot’s license at 19, and by 25, he was operating his own small aircraft for aerial photography and scenic tours. Simultaneously, he cultivated a passion for mountaineering that led him to the highest peaks across North America and Europe, with Mont Blanc emerging as his favorite—both for its grandeur and technical rigor.
Colleagues recall Benjamin as a meticulous planner and a thoughtful leader. “He mapped routes with precision and treated every expedition venue like a mission,” said longtime climbing partner Sarah Mitchell. “He had an innate calmness under pressure—whether maneuvering a plane through mountain weather or guiding clients across glaciers.”
Tragedy on Mont Blanc
On July 10, during a descent via the Bosses Ridge route, Benjamin reportedly encountered a sudden lapse in weather and a hidden crevasse. Rescue teams confirmed he fell approximately 200 feet before he could be located. Emergency crews mounted a rapid Alpine search, but the severity of the fall proved fatal. His body was recovered the same day.
The mountaineering community expressed profound grief over the loss of “a bridge between aviation and climbing.” Local authorities are assisting U.S. consular services to notify his family and support an American‑led aviation‑mountaineering accident review.
A Heart That Soared
Friends and family remember Benjamin for the rare ability to unite distinct worlds—aviation and mountaineering—into a single, shared passion. “He inspired people to chase horizons,” said pilot‑friend David Nguyen. “Clients flying aerial tours with him felt safe and awestruck. Climbers with him on Mont Blanc learned both compass‑reading and courage.”
He also volunteered with the American Alpine Club’s youth outreach, teaching wilderness safety, weather navigation, and risk management. At aviation conferences, he spoke about “ethical exploration” and “human‑centered flight experiences”—always highlighting community, transparency, and respect for nature.
Family and Memorial Plans
Benjamin is survived by his mother, Laura Duhamel, and father, Joseph Duhamel, both of Seattle; his sister, Emily Duhamel; and a large circle of friends across France, Canada, and the U.S. He has no children.
Funeral services will be held in Seattle, with a memorial ceremony expected at a later date in Chamonix, offering colleagues and climbing partners a chance to pay tribute at Mont Blanc base camp.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Benjamin’s memory to two causes dear to him: the American Alpine Club Youth Education Fund and Aviation Safety Alliance, supporting awareness of flight safety and youth engagement in outdoor aviation exploration.
Remembering Benjamin Duhamel
Benjamin’s life exemplified exploration—through the sky and over snowy ridges. His demise in that mountaineering accident on Mont Blanc underscores both the beauty and gravity of pursuing one’s passions. Yet, his story—and the aerial‑mountaineering accident awareness it brings to light—will endure.
His legacy encourages young pilots, climbers, and adventure seekers across North America and Europe to blend ambition with responsibility, to train with precision, and to uplift others.
