Tricky action

Lost climber rescued shortly before a thunderstorm

A tricky rescue at dusk and with a thunderstorm approaching was completed by the emergency services on the south face of the Dachstein

(Bild: Bergrettung Ramsau am Dachstein)

While attempting to climb the Pichlweg on the south face of the Dachstein, a Hungarian climber was hit by a rock on Saturday evening. Shortly afterwards, as dusk fell and a thunderstorm front approached, he also fell. 

Two mountaineers from Hungary (43, 51) set off far too late on Saturday to climb the so-called Pichlweg through the eastern part of the Dachstein south face. Halfway up the route, they got lost. As if that wasn't enough, the 43-year-old lead climber was hit on the head by a falling rock at around 8 p.m., causing him to suffer a concussion. Despite being dizzy, he tried to continue climbing!

Spectacular rescue at a late hour
However, he was no longer able to cope with the difficulty of the rock, slipped and fell. As a result, the Hungarian also injured his ankle. Climbing further was now definitely out of the question, and time was running out. The duo therefore made an emergency call. 

The air rescuers with the 90-meter rope

(Bild: Bergrettung Ramsau am Dachstein)

The rescue took place using a 90-meter rope. We were under a lot of time pressure, as it was already dusk and a storm front was approaching.

C 14-Flugretter Albert Prugger

The Ramsau mountain rescue team, an Alpine police officer and the crew of the C 14 rescue helicopter were deployed. "The rescue was carried out using a 90-meter rope. We were under a lot of time pressure, as it was already dusk and a storm front was approaching," says flight rescuer Albert Prugger in an interview with the "Krone" newspaper. In the end, the injured man was flown to hospital in Schladming and his companion was brought safely down to the valley.