Only cell phone light with them

Teenagers stuck on the Traunstein in the dark

With the help of the mountain rescuers, the youngsters made it back down to the valley.

(Bild: Bergrettung Gmunden)

They had probably underestimated the Traunstein. Four teenagers set off too late on Thursday and got caught in the dark on their descent. The ill-equipped boys had no headlamps with them and had to call the mountain rescuers for help. The mission was not over until around midnight.

On Thursday shortly after 9 p.m., the mountain rescuers in Gmunden received an emergency call from a group of four from the Traunstein. The four boys from the Linz-Land district (aged 17 to 21) first climbed the Traunstein via the Mairalmsteig at around 1pm that afternoon. Five hours later, at around 6.30 pm, they made their way down to the valley via the Naturfreundesteig.

Supplied with drinks
By this time, the sun was already setting in Gmunden, so the group was plunged into darkness. Apart from their cell phone flashlights, they had no lights with them. At an altitude of almost 1000 meters above sea level, they lost their way at 9 pm and alerted the mountain rescuers. The rescuers climbed up with a team during the night and were able to find the boys.

It was already pitch dark on the descent.

(Bild: Bergrettung Gmunden)

After a brief supply of warm jackets and drinks, the group was brought safely down to the valley. The mountain rescuers' mission was not over until around midnight.