Recreational athletes who ignore the still winter conditions at higher altitudes drive the Tyrolean mountain rescuers in Ehrwald to despair. One incident on the Zugspitze stands out in particular.
As reported, the German cyclist tried for about an hour on Friday to get through the Gaistal to Leutasch in the snow on the winter hiking trail (!) from Ehrwald in the Tyrolean Reutte district. The 41-year-old, wearing shorts, then had to park his bike in the snow-covered Gaistal and alert mountain rescue services.
Traveling in summer mode
“Many people are currently completely misjudging the situation on the mountain. “You are already in summer mode, but it is still winter here,” says Robin Lutnig of the Ehrwald mountain rescue service. Regina Poberschnigg, head of the Ehrwald mountain rescue, also confirms this impression. “The excursion goers travel in shorts towards Seebensee or Drachensee – but for that you need touring skis,” she shakes her head in disbelief. “At some point they turn around, otherwise we have to catch them.”
“People don’t believe us”
What particularly irritates her and Lutnig is the ignorance of many excursion goers: “We can tell people what we want. They don’t believe us.”
Avalanche danger warnings ignored
“A mountain biker has just ridden the winter hiking trail towards Leutasch,” says Robin Lutnig during the telephone conversation with “Krone”. And on Saturday, after 2 p.m. (!), two mountain climbers headed to the Knorrhütte to then climb the Zugspitze. “At this time of day, the slope to the Gatterl was already at high risk of avalanches,” says Lutnig. The duo ignored his warnings – as usual.
Mountain rescuers can’t believe it
Keyword Zugspitze: Regina Poberschnigg is already “pain-free” when it comes to the negligence of mountain climbers on Germany’s highest mountain. Of course she won’t forget the meeting with two German hikers and their dog a few days ago. “The two of them wanted to go upstairs on foot and in normal shoes,” she says. The duo argued that the train journey was “too expensive”. “I told them there was three meters of snow on the top and that they were completely wrongly equipped,” says the mountain rescuer. Even the ironic hint that a helicopter rescue costs about 100 euros per minute and that the train is cheaper did not help.
After all, they should have returned later – fortunately on time.
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.
