On the Dachstein

Tourer plunged 300 meters down an ice gully

He was extra careful and wanted to descend the Torstein ice gully on the Dachstein on foot rather than on skis - but that went badly wrong: the ski tourer (49) from Laakirchen fell 300 meters down the gully, almost dragged his friend waiting below with him and was left unconscious.  

Two friends and experienced mountaineers from Laakirchen, aged 47 and 49, climbed the Torstein in the Dachstein mountains on Sunday. The two well-equipped sportsmen started their tour in the early hours of the morning from the Vorderer Gosausee lake, initially on foot up to around 1600 meters above sea level. From there, the snow cover was closed for the first time and the two were able to continue their ascent with their touring skis towards the day's destination.

The younger one took off on skis
Their route led them through the challenging and steep Torstein ice gully to the summit at almost 3000 meters, which they reached in the late morning. While the 47-year-old skied down the steep gully, his friend decided to descend on foot. A few meters above the very narrow crux, the 49-year-old fell about 300 meters down the gully.

Friend was almost swept away
The skier standing slightly below was almost swept away by his uncontrollably falling friend and had to witness the accident first hand. He gave first aid to his friend, who was briefly unconscious, and informed the emergency services. The injured man was rescued by the emergency helicopter at the scene of the accident using a rope.

Several injuries sustained
After receiving emergency medical treatment, he was taken by helicopter to Salzburg Regional Hospital. The man suffered several injuries of indeterminate severity. His friend was able to ski down into the valley on his own and returned to the starting point in Gosau in the early afternoon.