There is still a lot of snow on the north side of the climb to Germany’s highest mountain. An alpinist from Bavaria left his crampons at home and almost fell to his death in a 50-degree snowfield in Tyrol. The emergency medical helicopter RK-2 rescued the man.
A German mountaineer recently discovered how tricky snow-filled gullies and snowfields can be. “The man left from Eibsee near Garmisch on the so-called Bayernsteig towards the top of the Zugspitze,” says Riccardo Mizio, flight rescuer on the RK-2 emergency medical helicopter and mountain rescuer in Ehrwald.
No crampons included
There is still snow on parts of this northern route and the alpinist had to overcome two snow fields. “Unfortunately he didn’t have any crampons with him, he only had sturdy shoes on,” Mizio shakes his head in disbelief.
Slip on 50 degree steep terrain
Despite the completely unsuitable footwear, the German, who apparently wanted to spend the night on the summit, managed to climb through the lower snowfield without accident. But in the second snowfield it happened as it almost had to. “Shortly before getting out, the man slipped and fell about 50 meters into the terrain, which was steep up to 50 degrees,” said Riccardo Mizio. Miraculously, he finally came to a stop between the rock wall and the snow.
However, the alpinist found himself in a dangerous position and was in danger of falling further. The man raised the alarm and due to imminent danger, the emergency medical helicopter RK-2, stationed in nearby Reutte, was sent to the scene of the accident.
“We rescued the victim with the winch and flew him to Lake Eibsee,” says air rescuer Mizio. “Fortunately, the German only suffered abrasions. Had he made it past the snowfield below, the fall would likely have been fatal.
Crampons and ice axes are “mandatory” in the high mountains
The experienced mountain rescuer from Ehrwald strongly advises mountain enthusiasts to take crampons and ice axes with them to the high mountains. “The snowfields in this exposure are generally very dangerous right now. Under a soft layer only a few centimeters thick, the snow is brutally hard. It’s impossible to step on your toes. “Bad footwear can quickly cost you your life,” warns Riccardo Mizio.
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.
