Rescued by helicopter

Mountaineer (26) lost his way on the Traunstein

The young man got lost on the way up the Traunstein.

(Bild: Markus Wenzel)

A 26-year-old from Gmunden spent almost 4.5 hours on the Traunstein on Sunday. However, because he had lost his way and could no longer go forwards or backwards, he finally called the mountain rescue service. They rescued him from his predicament - fortunately unharmed.

On Mother's Day, the 26-year-old from the district of Gmunden wanted to climb the 1691 m high Traunstein via the Zierlersteig. He had already been to the Traunstein several times before via various ascents (Hochkamp, O-Grat, Hernler-, Mairalm- and Naturfreundesteig), but he was not familiar with the unmarked Zierlersteig.

Early start
He started the ascent at around 5 o'clock in the morning via the unmarked alpine trail with easy short climbing sections. At around 1500 meters above sea level, he then left the path for unknown reasons until he was finally unable to go either forwards or backwards in the steep, rocky terrain. He therefore made an emergency call at 9.20 a.m. and also transmitted the coordinates of his location.

Rescue by rope
The Alpine Police notified the police helicopter and the Gmunden Mountain Rescue Service. At around 10.20 am, the helicopter crew was able to locate the hiker and pick him up using a 40-metre rope to the Laudachsee intermediate landing site and then bring him to the "unterm Stein" landing site.