Rescue Operations in Höllental: Four Individuals Trapped on Alpine Trail

On Thursday, two men from Vienna, aged 30 and 27, raised an alarm shortly before 5 PM, reporting that they were stranded in the snow along the Alpine Club trail and unable to proceed. Due to the advancing dusk and deteriorating conditions, a hastily assembled mountain rescue team along with the alpine police was dispatched to the site in the Großen Höllental. Concurrently, a police helicopter was called in to help locate the individuals from the air. The helicopter crew successfully identified the two men at approximately 1,400 meters above sea level in a heavily snow-covered area.

Given the circumstances and the lateness of the hour, it was decided to conduct a winch rescue. The mountain rescue team assisted at the designated landing zone in Weichtal, and the operation was successful. The two young men were safely brought down by the helicopter and handed over to the rescue team.

According to the men, they had set out on their tour that morning with the intention of climbing the Teufelsbadstubensteig (B). However, they were unable to find the correct entry point and inadvertently began their ascent on the Alpine Club trail. Without proper planning, they continued their climb without the necessary winter equipment, such as crampons and ice axes, despite worsening snow conditions and ice formation. They eventually deviated from the Alpine Club trail and ended up on the Gustav-Jahr climbing route (A/B). Their hike was halted when they reached a point where the steel cable was buried under the snow, prompting them to call for help.

Another rescue operation along the Alpine Club trail took place on Sunday shortly after 3 PM. A couple from Vienna found themselves in distress just below the Höllentalaussicht viewpoint after the woman slipped nearly 30 meters down a snowfield and felt unable to continue. The rescue team was dispatched and ascended via the Rax cable car to begin their approach. Simultaneously, the Christophorus helicopter was alerted as the couple reported being wet and hypothermic. During the search flight, they were identified at around 1,600 meters above sea level. The woman who fell was airlifted by the rescue helicopter, while the ground rescue team attended to her male companion and helped him descend to the cable car.

The mountain rescue team has issued a strong warning regarding the lack of proper planning for these excursions. They noted that the individuals involved were inadequately equipped, with inappropriate footwear such as sports shoes and jeans, which are unsuitable for winter hiking. It is crucial to carry and use crampons during climbing tours in snowy conditions and to be aware of the risks associated with such activities. The team urges climbers to refrain from using the climbing routes in the Höllental until after the snow has melted, emphasizing the serious risk of falls and the importance of researching conditions and weather before embarking on any mountain adventure.