German Hikers Rescued From Ötztal Wildspitze After Bivouac Gone Wrong
Four young German hikers found themselves in a precarious situation in August 2023, attempting a bivouac adventure on the Ötztal Wildspitze, North Tyrol's highest peak. The group, aged 17 to 19, underestimated the harsh conditions and had to be rescued by the Sölden mountain rescue team.
The group planned to ascend from Vent to the 3,768-meter-high Ötztal Wildspitze and spend the night outdoors. However, they encountered temperatures dropping to around minus six degrees Celsius at nearly 3,400 meters, making an overnight stay impossible. Realising their mistake, they alerted the rescue team around 9 p.m.
The rescue operation was challenging due to poor lighting conditions. The helicopter had difficulty finding a suitable landing spot on the glacier. Despite these obstacles, a rescue crew was lowered onto the glacier by winch and successfully flew the hikers back to the valley unharmed.
The hikers' adventure ended safely, thanks to the swift and professional response of the Sölden mountain rescue team. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough planning and understanding weather conditions when engaging in high-altitude activities.
