Harz hikes: record numbers for mountain rescue operations 2023!

Harz hikes: record numbers for mountain rescue operations 2023!

The Harz attracts thousands of hikers and outdoor enthusiasts every year. This idyllic region offers breathtaking landscapes and numerous hiking trails, but regular accidents and dangerous situations make headlines. The latest statistics of the Harzer Bergwacht had to. The 27 missions in Wernigerode and 17 in Thale are particularly striking. According to Matthias Kirmann, a spokesman for the mountain rescue service, the strong crowd of hikers is not without risks, since the number of missions over the years remains constant.

The mountain rescue service, which is part of the German Red Cross, often reaches the limits in their work. In the first half of the year, she carried out three air rescues using a police helicopter to recover people from rough terrain. Tragically, a mountain bike driver without a protective helmet died in a severe fall on the mountain pass yellow Brink in June. A climber also fell in April in April and was seriously injured.

not optimally prepared

Despite the frequently good equipment of most hikers who go on prepared tours, there were also many cases of insufficiently prepared excursions this year. Some had started the Brocken summit without adequate clothing or in sneakers. Kirmann makes it unequivocally clear that this carelessness, especially in changeable weather, represents more than just a risk. The mountain rescue service therefore always recommends thinking of suitable clothing and sufficient water.

The mountain rescue service in the region consists of several groups that concentrate on the main locations in Thale and Wernigerode. There are also supporting units in Halberstadt, and a total of around 120 men and women are actively involved. In order to see the previous statistics in a larger framework, the mountain rescue in MDR in the region an average Use was recorded.

number of operations increases

A look at the past few years shows that the mountain rescue service recorded about ten missions per month in 2024, a total of 140 missions. The emergency services are particularly challenged in the summer months of July and August. Among the rescues was a tragic incident at the witch dance place, in which a 17-year-old youth had to be recovered dead after a 50-meter crash. On the other hand, there was also positive news: a hiker with a cardiovascular arrest could be successfully reanimated and removed by the quick action of first aiders without suffering serious consequential damage.

The year after year after number of missions also highlights the trend towards outdoor activities in the region. To ensure that both the mountain rescue and hikers are prepared in the best possible way, the mountain rescue service relies on regular advanced training and practical exercises, especially in air rescue. Civil and military helicopters support the mountain rescue service with operations in inaccessible terrain.

Good preparation for hiking is the key to be able to enjoy the nature experience in the Harz carefree. The mountain rescue guard appeals to everyone to find out about weather conditions and take the right equipment with you to be safely on the go. Because a good starting point for an adventure in nature is always the right planning.