Surprised by the weather

Hail while climbing: Woman alerted mountain rescue

A 51-year-old Viennese woman and her 15-year-old son were surprised by a sudden hailstorm on the Senza Confini via ferrata on the Cellon in the Carnic Alps. She then made an emergency call.

The weather can change quickly in the mountains and thunderstorms can be life-threatening, especially on via ferratas. On Monday, a Viennese woman and her son found themselves in such circumstances on the Senza Confini via ferrata on the Cellon.

"Towards the end of the secured via ferrata, a hailstorm suddenly set in, which is why it no longer seemed possible for them to complete the climb," reports the police. "The woman then made an emergency call."

Immediately, 15 mountain rescuers from the Kötschach-Mauthen local station set off and made their way to the danger spot via several access routes. But the two climbers were nowhere to be seen. "The police helicopter that was notified was able to locate those seeking help at the exit of the via ferrata," said the police. The two had continued the tour after the weather improved.

The 51-year-old Viennese woman and her son were then escorted back to the starting point of the tour unharmed by three mountain rescuers who were flown to them by helicopter.