Mountain rescue team evacuates German couple from Stubaier Alps

A 69-year-old man and his 70-year-old wife were rescued after bad weather left them stranded during a high-altitude hike in the Stubaier Alps on Tuesday, ORF reported. They were flown safely to the valley without injuries.

The couple had set out from the Nürnberger Hütte mountain hut at 8 a.m. towards the Becherhaus. Although it was raining, they began the hike because the forecast predicted improving weather.

They soon lost their way after missing a turn a few metres from the hut. Instead of taking the marked trail via the Freigerscharte, they climbed via the Seescharte, Gamsspitzl and Signalgipfel towards the Becherhaus.

At an altitude of 3,200 metres, the hikers reached a steep section secured with a climbing rope and decided they could not continue. They turned back, but were soaked by the rain, slightly hypothermic and exhausted.

A mountain guide who happened to pass by found them at about 2.30 p.m. He gave them dry clothing and food and tried to descend with them towards the Nürnberger Hütte. When it became clear that they could barely walk independently, he issued an emergency call at 3.30 p.m.

Mountain rescuers reached the site partly on foot and partly with support from a police helicopter. They found the exhausted hikers at 5.30 p.m., but had to delay the helicopter evacuation because fog was moving in. When the fog cleared, both were flown to the valley at about 6 p.m.