Gerry Hedley hired David Cuthbertson to guide him to the summit of the Tour Ronde in the French Alps via its steep North face. Hedley was an experienced climber and Cuthbertson was an experienced Alpine guide. Cuthbertson was leading and was concerned about the sun's effect on the snow. He therefore used a single screw belay to save time. Cuthbertson could not remember the accident, but another climber stated that a large sheet of ice broke away from the mountain, wrenching out the screw and killing Hedley instantly. Cuthbertson's knee was fractured in the accident.