Adventure in the Harz: Mountain rescue rescues hikers on dangerous tours!

Adventure in the Harz: Mountain rescue rescues hikers on dangerous tours!

Every year the Harz attracts countless hikers who want to enjoy the breathtaking and varied nature. But this incentive also carries risks. In the first half of 2023, the Harz mountain rescue service in Saxony-Anhalt recorded a whopping 44 missions news38.de reported. These included 27 missions in Wernigerode and 17 in Thale. During the rescue operations, hikers with injuries, falls or circulatory problems were often cared for.

The challenges in these mountains should not be underestimated. An air rescue was even carried out three times using a winch using a police helicopter. The case of a mountain bike rider who lost his life in June on the Gelber Brink mountain pass after a serious fall without a protective helmet remains tragic. Climbers also need to be careful; An incident on the Großer Feuerstein ended with a fall of about ten meters, which seriously endangered the climber's life.

The mountain rescue service in the Harz

The Harz mountain rescue service, the northernmost of its kind in Germany and part of the German Red Cross, is made up of a total of ten groups in Saxony-Anhalt and Lower Saxony. They are particularly active in Thale and Wernigerode, where around 120 committed men and women - 46 of whom are actively involved - help tirelessly. Particularly noteworthy is the existing youth group, which contributes to recruiting young talent and currently has twelve members.

But the mountain rescue operations are not only due to the difficult weather conditions or inadequate equipment. An incident in which a carer and six children got lost shows that human errors can also lead to dangerous situations. They had to be rescued from a ravine at night using ropes. Kirmann, who heads the mountain rescue service, makes it clear that many hikers and climbers often go on the tour unprepared. The technical equipment is often fine, but the right preparation is the be-all and end-all.

A look outside the box

The discussion about safety in nature is reminiscent of other areas that also place high demands on safety - such as space travel. NASA flew no fewer than 135 missions with its Space Shuttle fleet from 1981 to 2011. These not only flew people into space, but also played a crucial role in the construction of the International Space Station (ISS). In doing so, they overcame a variety of challenges and at the same time made a significant contribution to research. As in the Harz Mountains, space travel requires constant vigilance and preparation.

It remains to be hoped that hiking and climbing enthusiasts in the Harz region can continue to enjoy their fun in nature without any worries – without unnecessary dangers. As the mountain rescue service urgently warns: safety and preparation are the be-all and end-all for nature lovers.