Marc Martinetti is a high mountain guide, and was one of the best climbers of his generation, opener of many routes in the Alps including the famous Pilier Martinetti at Mont Blanc du Tacul with Christian Mollier on August 23, 1960. He will be part of the expedition led by Lionel Terray for the first ascent of Mount Huntington (Alaska), they completed the summit on May 25, 1964.

He will die during a fall, at the age of 25, which will take him and his climbing companion Lionel Terray on September 19, 1965 at the crack in the Arc de Cercle, at the Arêtes du Gerbier, in the Vercors (France). ). Their bodies will only be found 3 days later, the bodies will be repatriated and buried in Chamonix in the presence of a huge crowd, from the Chamonix Guides company and Maurice Herzog, then Secretary of State for Youth and Sports. Questioned for his part on the death of the two mountaineers, Mr. Camille Tournier, president of the company of guides of Chamonix, declares: "For us, it is a terrible double loss. Terray was one of the best guides in the world, and his prestige had reflected on our company. The death of Marc Martinetti plunges me into the most desolate sadness. Along with Gérard Devouassoud, Georges Payot, Yvon Mazino, he was one of the most brilliant guides, the most sparkling climbers that we have ever had. seen. He was still only twenty-five years old, but he was one of the twelve best climbers in Europe."