Mountain rescue team saves lost hiker in overnight search

Mountain rescuers found and brought to safety a 58 year old German hiker who became lost in the mountains near Hüttschlag in Salzburg’s Pongau region, ORF reported. The operation ended shortly before 1 a.m. on Friday.

Twenty three mountain rescuers and an alpine police officer searched towards the Vorderkaseralm and Reitalm after the man placed an emergency call. Poor mobile phone reception prevented them from maintaining contact, with only occasional text messages getting through.

The hiker said he was extremely exhausted and could see three small mountain lakes. Rescuers found him at an altitude of about 1,900 metres, gave him drinks and food, and escorted him down to the valley. Because severe exhaustion can be accompanied by hypothermia, they put a rescue jacket on him. A high altitude stretcher was also available in case he could no longer walk.

The Hüttschlag mountain rescue service said the hiker’s tour planning had been inadequate and that he had left a well marked trail. The innkeeper at the Vorderkaseralm had shortly beforehand advised him not to continue. Firefighters from Hüttschlag and a drone team also supported the search.