Mountain rescuers save climber after 14-hour snowstorm operation

A 20-year-old German climber was rescued from the icy Birgkar in the Hochkönig massif overnight on Saturday after becoming exhausted and cold at about 2,600 metres. Eleven mountain rescuers worked for 14 hours in extreme conditions, ORF reported.

The man had set out on Saturday afternoon with two companions on the Königsjodler via ferrata in the municipality of Mühlbach am Hochkönig, despite warnings from another climber and a poor weather forecast. Near an emergency exit, he was unable to continue and called for help at about 7 p.m.

His companions continued to the closed Matrashaus hut at 2,941 metres, reaching it during the night. The Mühlbach mountain rescue team set out from Stegmoosalm to reach the stranded climber. A rescue helicopter was unable to fly to the scene because of the weather.

The emergency exit crosses the steep, rocky Birgkar. The route was icy and slippery, and could be traversed only with crampons. Heavy snowfall began during the rescue, and about 20 centimetres of fresh snow eventually covered the path. Rescuers also faced a risk of falls and snow slides.

The team reached the climber shortly before midnight and roped him in for the descent through deep snow. In poor visibility and heavy snowfall, they reached Erichhütte at 8.18 a.m. Pongau district mountain rescue chief Gerhard Kremser said the man probably would not have survived another night in those conditions.

Kremser stressed the importance of realistic tour planning and heeding warnings, saying climbers must know when to turn back. The two companions were advised not to descend through the Birgkar and instead took the normal route towards Arthurhaus. Alpine police are investigating.