63-year-old dies in fall during guided tour of Wildspitze in the Ötztal Alps

The guided tour had been led by a 36-year-old trainer of the German Alpine Club (Deutscher Alpenverein, DAV). In total, the group consisted of six people – the trainer and five other participants. During the descent via the southwest ridge, the entire team climbed without a rope.

Recovery and care of the group

Following the accident, the deceased was recovered by police helicopter. The remaining members of the group subsequently descended together to the Taschachhaus. "Um die Mitglieder der Mannschaft nach dem schockierenden Erlebnis bestmöglich zu unterstützen, wurden sie von einem Kriseninterventionsteam betreut", the police explained.

According to investigators, the exact cause of the loss of balance remains unclear. Police have initiated inquiries into the course of the accident. No indications of third-party fault or avalanche danger were mentioned in the available information.

The Wildspitze as a high-tour objective

At 3,774 meters, the Wildspitze is the highest mountain in North Tyrol and ranks among the most popular high-tour objectives in the Ötztal Alps. The normal route leads across the Taschachferner, while the descent is frequently made via the southwest ridge. The area around the Taschachhaus is a well-known starting point for ambitious glacier tours.

Fatal mountain accidents are not uncommon in the Alps despite professional guidance. The German Alpine Club regularly points out in its safety advisories the importance of rope teams, appropriate equipment, and careful assessment of conditions – particularly when descending through steep rocky terrain.

The incident on the Wildspitze is part of a series of mountain accidents documented in Tyrol in recent years. Authorities are asking any eyewitnesses and mountaineers who can provide information about the sequence of events to contact the responsible office.