Keystone-SDA
The Cantonal Organization of the Valais Rescue and Air Zermatt intervened on Saturday in unfavorable weather conditions to identify two ropes blocked in the SaaS valley. Large operations were necessary.
(Keystone-ATS) Shortly after 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, the rescuers went to a rope of four people blocked on the southern edge of Lagginhorn, the Cantonal Organization of Rescue (OCVS) and Air Zermatt announced on Sunday. Due to a snowstorm and fog, helicopter rescue was impossible.
According to Air Zermatt, the rescue coordination has enjoined mountaineers to go to the top and start the descent by the normal route. Under the prevailing conditions, this solution was easier than descending by the southern ridge, technically more difficult.
Night life
Despite the storm, the snowfall and a thick fog, a helicopter deposited two rescue specialists at an altitude of 3,200 meters. These have started ascent with icy temperatures. Additional helicopter flights brought four other rescuers on site with additional equipment.
These also mounted towards the summit, reaching their limits, underlines Air Zermatt. Shortly before the summit, the rescuers planned to interrupt their operation. Finally, around 9:00 p.m., they met the four mountaineers in the rope at an altitude of more than 4,000 meters.
All then went down to the Weissmies hut for four hours, night and under the snow. A helicopter transported two of the mountaineers to the Viège hospital. As the weather has deteriorated again, Air Zermatt could not bring the other mountains and the rescuers into the valley at dawn when the weather has improved.
Equaled at the Weissmies
Before this operation, the Valais rescuers had to manage a first emergency call in the afternoon, they communicated: a rope of two people was lost in bad weather during the descent of the Weissmies and could not continue.
Air Zermatt filed two OCVS specialists at 3,200 meters above sea level. They recovered the mountaineers during a several hour operation and finally gave them to a helicopter crew.
