Five young Viennese lost their way for 16 hours in the Höllengebirge mountains

According to the police, initial difficulties became apparent right at the start of the tour. After several hours, the hikers realized that they were no longer able to manage the originally planned route. Using a smartphone app, they searched for an alternative route back to their car, which they had left at Langbathsee.

The planned route via the Hochleckenhaus

The app suggested the Hirschlukensteig as a way back. As the rescue teams reported, this trail, however, is unmarked and also features easy climbing sections. "Der Steig ist jedoch unmarkiert und weist auch leichte Kletterpassagen auf", the mountain rescue service stated.

The five young Viennese nevertheless decided on this route. Yet right from the start the five men had difficulties, which increased as they went on. In addition, they did not have any suitable lighting equipment, which further aggravated the situation once darkness fell.

Difficulties on the Hirschlukensteig

When they could see no other way out, the hikers placed an emergency call at around 9:45 p.m. "Gegen 21.45 Uhr sahen sie dann keinen anderen Weg mehr, als einen Notruf abzusetzen", the rescue teams explained. At that point they were uninjured but already very exhausted, slightly hypothermic, and some of them were suffering from circulatory problems.

A team from the Ebensee mountain rescue service then ascended together with an officer from the Gmunden alpine police. "Daraufhin ist ein Trupp der Bergrettung Ebensee und ein Beamter der Alpinpolizei aufgestiegen, die Männer wurden versorgt", the police reported. The rescuers provided the exhausted men with medical care and then secured each individual with a rope.

Rescue operation by mountain rescue and alpine police

The five Viennese were then each secured with a rope, and the joint descent into the valley took place. The operation lasted several hours, until the men finally reached their car and the starting point of their mountain tour at Vorderer Langbathsee again at around 2:45 a.m.

The entire incident extended over approximately 16 hours and ended in the early morning hours of Sunday. According to the rescuers, the five men survived the ordeal uninjured, but remained under medical care for observation of their circulatory problems and mild hypothermia.

The case throws a spotlight on the risks of unmarked trails and missing equipment on ambitious tours. The authorities regularly point out that young mountaineers in particular should plan their tours carefully, realistically assess the difficulties, and always carry headlamps as well as sufficient provisions.

Risks of unmarked trails and missing equipment

The use of navigation apps can also be deceptive when they suggest routes over unmarked trails with climbing sections that cannot be managed without the corresponding experience and equipment. The Ebensee mountain rescue service recommends finding out about current trail conditions before starting a tour and, when in doubt, sticking to the original route or turning back.

The five Viennese had luck on their side in their misfortune: thanks to their emergency call, the rescue teams were able to locate them and safely bring them down into the valley in the dark. The police announced that they would evaluate the incident and, as part of their preventive awareness work, draw attention to the dangers of inadequate preparation.