On Thursday, a mountain rescue service said that two Austrian mountaineers had perished while trying to reach the pinnacle of a Julian Alp, which is 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) in height.
The two men, themselves Alpine rescuers, have been reported missing since Wednesday, according to the rescue service’s Facebook post. Their loved ones who were waiting for them to return did not receive any response when they attempted to contact them by phone. The two climbers’ car had been found in the parking area prior to the rescue.
Whether it was a slip or a rockslide, they fell while climbing the “Cima di Riofreddo,” a peak that reaches above 2,500 meters.
The remains were discovered at a height of around 2,000 meters on Thursday morning by rescuers, who noted that they were still attached to the mountainside and dangling from their climbing ropes.
According to the rescue agency, a rescue helicopter was able to approach the two mountaineers and recover their bodies. Owing to safety concerns, it was initially not feasible to reach them. The mountaineers were rescued in two separate helicopter rescue missions.
The reason for their fall is unknown; however, authorities have speculated that it most likely was either a rockslide or human error.
Climbing the Julian Alps peak Cima di Riofreddo, which stretches from Northern Italy to Slovenia, the two mountaineers were from Villach, Austria.
The second rescue effort departed at about 5 a.m. local time with ten rescuers at base camp and one technician in the helicopter.
High and sharp ridges on all sides characterize Cima di Riofreddo. There is no designated route to the peak of the mountain, making ascent more challenging.
On the same day, a hiker became stranded on the Tenente Ferrante di Ruffano climbing path. After his apparatus gave him trouble, he hung precariously from a safety cord. Rescuers brought him back to safety.
In the other event, a mountaineer encountered a rough wall on the Bila Pec mountain shoulder and had to be helped to Piani del Montasio, and a hiker also needed assistance.
