A 19-year-old climber from Paderborn and a 19-year-old Ukrainian companion began a night climb toward the Zugspitze summit to see sunset and sunrise. The accident occurred early May 22 on the Stopselzieher via ferrata route near the 2,962-meter summit. Around 3:01 a.m., snowfields still covered parts of the ascent. The German climber slipped while crossing a snowfield and fell about 250 meters over extremely steep, rocky terrain, sustaining fatal injuries. Emergency services were alerted immediately. A night-capable DRF air rescue crew transported rescuers near the base of the wall, but death was confirmed only after arrival. The climbers had hiking boots, headlamps, and Grödel, and were not clipped in, with police noting inadequate preparation for winter alpine conditions. The companion was rescued unharmed using a winch operation.
"Around 3.01 a.m., while the pair were approximately halfway along the route, the climbers encountered snowfields that still covered sections of the ascent. According to Tyrol police, the German climber slipped while crossing one of these snowfields and fell around 250 meters (820 feet) over extremely steep, rocky terrain, suffering fatal injuries. Emergency services were immediately alerted by his companion."
"Police said the two climbers were only equipped with hiking boots, headlamps and Grödel (light traction aids), and were not clipped in. It was noted that they were not properly prepared for the winter alpine conditions they encountered on the mountain."
"Bergrettung Ehrwald confirmed in a Facebook statement that rescue teams were dispatched shortly after the alarm, describing the incident as an "A2 trauma crash" on the Stopselzieher route. A night-capable DRF air rescue crew, supported by Christoph München, transported rescuers near the base of the wall. However, rescuers were only able to confirm the man's death upon arrival."
"The 19-year-old climber from Paderborn in north-west Germany and his 19-year-old Ukrainian companion began their climb on Thursday evening at around 7.30 p.m. from the valley station of the Zugspitzbahn in Ehrwald, Austria. Their goal was to reach the summit in time to watch the sunset during the ascent and the sunrise the following morning."
Read at SnowBrains
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