100 km/h gusts of wind

Risky mountain rescue on the Styrian Pfaffenstein

The 15 mountain rescuers were on the move for ten hours in the wind and darkness.

(Bild: Bergrettung Steiermark)

On Sunday night, 15 mountain rescuers were on duty for a whole ten hours: three young climbers were unable to descend from the via ferrata on Pfaffenstein. Extreme weather conditions with gusts of up to 100 km/h and the onset of darkness were to blame.

Three young climbers, one woman and two men, found themselves in an alpine emergency on Saturday evening. Wind gusts of 100 km/h and the onset of darkness made the descent from Pfaffenstein impossible. The planned descent route was blocked by snow cornices and the hike became a dangerous game against the clock.

15 mountain rescuers were in action for ten hours
At around 5 p.m., they alerted Eisenerz Mountain Rescue and 15 volunteers set out. A helicopter would not have been able to take off due to the extreme weather conditions. Together with emergency equipment (including drills and ropes), the mountain rescuers had to climb around 900 meters in two hours.

Everyone reached the valley unharmed
"We left our comfort zone, but we had the situation under control at all times," reports Andy Aflenzer, Head of Operations at Eisenerz Mountain Rescue. Once at the top, the climbers received first aid. Secured by ropes, they then made their way back together. It was not until ten hours later, after three o'clock in the morning, that they were able to reach the valley. An extremely challenging mission for the mountain rescuers, which fortunately everyone survived without serious injury.