Bad weather leaves two climbers stranded overnight on Schrankogel

Two 18-year-old German climbers spent the night outdoors after getting into trouble during their descent from the Schrankogel in Längenfeld, ORF reported. They were found severely hypothermic on Sunday morning and flown to hospital.

The climbers strayed from the marked route into steep, difficult terrain and called for help at about 4.30pm. Bad weather prevented a helicopter from joining the initial search.

Eight mountain rescuers from Gries im Sulztal and an alpine police officer began searching from the Amberger Hut, a mountain hut. The search was called off around midnight because of darkness and snowfall, then resumed at 7am on Sunday.

Rescuers found the men at about 7.50am and took them by emergency medical helicopter to Zams Hospital. The Schrankogel is 3,497 metres high.