The team of the RK-2 emergency medical helicopter and the Leutasch mountain rescuer Albert Neuner pushed their limits in rescuing two German mountaineers from the Schüsselkar in Tyrol’s Wetterstein Mountains. In the dark, Neuner rappelled 150 meters to the athletes and then brought them safely to the base of the wall.
The two climbers (aged 29 and 53) got stuck on the “Bayrischer Traum” route in the cirque in the Wetterstein shortly after 5 p.m. on Sunday. The reason: when abseiling, the rope got caught and darkness fell.
Winch rescue too dangerous
“The RK-2 emergency helicopter should have rescued the two with the cable winch,” says Michael Strigl, head of the Leutasch mountain rescue service. But that didn’t work. “The area where the two women were located was slightly overhanging, we would have come too close to the rock with the rotor,” says RK-2 pilot Jörg Straub.
Fortunately, the Leutasch Mountain Rescue Service has a specialist for such cases in Albert Neuner. For the mountain guide, the Schuesselkar is almost the second living room.
Mountain rescuers have dropped into the wall
The plan was to put the Leutascher in the wall. “I went back upstairs with Albert and our escape rescuer to find a booth on the wall,” says Straub. “We discovered a narrow ridge about 500 feet above the climbers,” Neuner recalled. Then a Sisyphean task began for the team.
Neuner managed to descend in a spectacular pendulum maneuver. “Unfortunately not at the originally chosen location,” he says. The 36-year-old was therefore unable to secure himself, but had to cross freely (!) in the dark about five meters to the “Bavarian dream – difficulty level eight minus!”
Abseiled for female climbers
The “maneuver” was successful and Neuner then roped off the route to the two people who were trapped – using short ropes so as not to impose himself. “From there I tied them to the base of the wall with a rope,” says the modest Leutascher.
Due to the steep terrain, the RK-2 eventually flew the uninjured Germans and their rescuer into the valley. There are no accusations from the rescuers. “It can happen to anyone that the rope gets caught,” says Neuner.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
