Two experienced Austrian mountaineers, who were also Alpine rescuers from Villach in southern Austria, were found dead while attempting to summit Cima di Riofreddo in Italy’s Julian Alps. The climbers were reported missing on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, after failing to return home as expected. According to a Facebook post from the emergency rescue service Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico Friuli Venezia Giulia, they were discovered the following morning at approximately 6,600 feet, still attached to their climbing ropes dangling from the mountainside.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Upon receiving the missing persons’ report, emergency services immediately launched a search and rescue operation. The climbers’ vehicle was in a nearby parking lot, confirming their planned ascent of the peak. During the initial helicopter mission, the bodies were located but could not be retrieved due to safety concerns related to challenging terrain and harsh weather conditions. A second mission, involving a helicopter technician and additional rescuers, successfully recovered the bodies early on Thursday morning.
Investigating the Cause of the Fall
The cause of the accident is still being investigated, with authorities exploring several possibilities, including human error or a rockslide. Mountain conditions can change rapidly, making climbing risky even for the most experienced mountaineers. Cima di Riofreddo has an elevation of 8,225 with high walls and sharp ridges; there is no marked path to the top.
Context of Recent Fatalities in the Alps
The deaths of these climbers add to a series of recent fatalities in the Alps, highlighting the inherent risks of mountaineering in this region. In June, a professional skier and his girlfriend fell to their deaths while climbing in the Italian Alps. In January, two Italian hikers died in an avalanche near the Italy-Switzerland border. Additionally, in 2022, a significant portion of an Alpine glacier detached and cascaded down a mountainside in Italy, resulting in the deaths of at least nine hikers.
Other Emergencies on the Same Day
On the day of the recovery, the rescue service also responded to several other emergencies in the area. These included a hiker stranded on the Tenente Ferrante di Ruffano climbing route and another who required assistance due to equipment difficulties on a rocky wall at the shoulder of the Bila Pec mountain.
Ongoing Efforts to Improve Safety
Authorities continue to investigate the accident’s circumstances, aiming to enhance safety measures and prevent similar incidents in the future. The mountaineering community is committed to respecting the unpredictable nature of the Alps and emphasizes the importance of thorough preparation and caution.