Harz: Mountain rescue service counts 44 missions – hikers in danger!

Harz: Mountain rescue service counts 44 missions – hikers in danger!

The Harz attracts thousands of hikers every year and becomes famous for its varied and adventurous nature. But the breathtaking landscapes also harbor risks that continually challenge the mountain rescue service in the Harz Mountains. In the first half of 2023, the Harz Mountain Rescue Service, the northernmost mountain rescue service in Germany and part of the German Red Cross, went on missions a total of 44 times. This means that on average the rescuers are called upon to help people in emergency situations more than once a week, as News38 reports.

The groups in Wernigerode and Thale were alerted particularly frequently, with 27 and 17 missions. Among the dramatic incidents was the fatal fall of a mountain bike rider on the Gelber Brink mountain pass, who had a tragic accident while riding without a protective helmet. A climber also fell around ten meters on the Großer Feuerstein in April and was rescued seriously injured. For such extreme situations, the mountain rescue teams also rely on the support of a police helicopter, as Matthias Kirmann, spokesman for the mountain rescue service, explains. Three times this year, the teams had to use air rescue with a cable winch to rescue injured people from impassable terrain, according to MDR.

Challenges in the field

But it's not just the most serious injuries that give the mountain rescue service a headache. Often there are spontaneous excursionists who do not go on hikes adequately prepared. Kirmann emphasizes that the equipment is usually good, but that there are many people who climb to the summit of the Brocken with inadequate footwear or without weatherproof clothing. It is particularly worrying that many people do not inform themselves about the weather conditions in good time, which can lead to dangerous situations given the sometimes sudden changes in the weather in the Harz Mountains.

An impressive example is the rescue of a group of seven people, consisting of a carer and six children, who were lost in a ravine and had to be rescued in the middle of the night. Such operations make it clear that despite the mountain rescue service's most modern equipment and expertise, disorientation and carelessness can become a danger.

Statistical insights and outlook

The mountain rescue service in the Harz has been under great demand in recent years. In 2024 it recorded a total of 140 missions, especially in the summer months of July and August. 118 injured people received help, and in one particularly tragic case one person had to be rescued dead. It is worrying that the causes of these missions are usually not spectacular adventures, but everyday hiking accidents, ranging from broken ankles to cardiac arrest. A serious incident at the Hexentanzplatz in Thale, where a 17-year-old fell from a height of 50 meters, led to a shocking outcome, as MZ reports.

In order to draw attention to the dangers, the mountain rescue service gives helpful tips for hikers: They recommend wearing suitable clothing, taking sturdy shoes and packing enough water as well as provisions, a flashlight and a first aid kit. In an emergency, a fully charged cell phone can help transmit your location so that help can be provided quickly. Ultimately, it remains crucial that hikers find out about the weather conditions in good time and set out well prepared.

The dedicated members of the Harz Mountain Rescue Service, around 120 in total, including 46 active, do valuable work and contribute to the safety of hikers in the Harz. Their expertise and training, ranging from aptitude tests to rescue techniques and conservation knowledge, are essential to being able to respond quickly and effectively in this challenging environment.