Mountain rescue urges caution after two child incidents in Upper Austria

Upper Austria’s mountain rescue service has urged parents to plan mountain trips according to their children’s abilities after two weekend incidents, ORF reported. Long hikes and via ferrata routes can quickly become too demanding, particularly on hot days.

At Großer Donnerkogel mountain in Gosau, a family spent about 10 hours on a tour. After the parents and their 10-year-old daughter reached the summit via a demanding via ferrata, the girl was too exhausted to descend.

Christoph Preimesberger of mountain rescue said parents should assess the return journey as realistically as the ascent when planning a tour. The route should be suited to the children’s abilities, or to the least capable member of the group. The shared experience should remain the focus, rather than exhaustion or, in the worst case, a traumatic experience.

Mountain rescue teams also responded in the Reichraminger Hintergebirge after a 13-year-old boy fell about seven metres from a via ferrata. Rescuers advise particular caution wherever there is a risk of falling and say children should be secured appropriately.

To help children develop their climbing skills, mountain rescue recommends lower climbing areas where they can climb at heights of one or two metres without a significant risk of falling.

Despite the two incidents, mountain rescue said there had been no unusual increase this year in accidents involving children in the mountains. The cases nevertheless highlight the importance of realistic planning and routes suited to children’s ages and abilities.