Zugspitze hypothermia rescue of 17-year-old hiker abandoned by companion, Digi Mart USA News (Zugspitze, Germany-Austria border): A 17-year-old woman was rescued by helicopter in deep snow on Zugspitze, the highest peak in Germany, on Sunday, November 1, after temperatures had dropped to minus 12 degrees Celsius. She called for help while her 21-year-old companion had already walked away in the opposite direction, leaving her alone on the mountain.
According to Bayerischer Rundfunk, she was suffering from severe hypothermia when rescuers reached her. The two climbers, who were probably experienced, had set out from Ehrwald, a town in Austria, at about 1:30 a.m.
to watch the sunrise.
Their trip ended at 2,500 meters, short of the summit at 2,962 meters. Police said the couple did not appear to have been adequately equipped, as they were partly buried in snow up to their knees.
They were then stopped on a steep, icy slope in extreme cold.
The young woman was ultimately transported to a hospital, safe and sound. An investigation has been opened for endangering the life of another person, a spokesperson for Tyrol police told the German news agency DPA.
The circumstances of their separation near the summit remain unknown.
A similar case occurred on Zugspitze in January 2025, according to the German outlet. A 33-year-old exhausted climber died of cold at the foot of the highest peak in Austria.
Her companion had also left her alone near the summit, supposedly to seek help.
He was later found guilty of involuntary manslaughter by the Innsbruck Regional Court. The judge said he had acted irresponsibly in planning and carrying out the trip.
The verdict is not yet final.
