Unusual scene on the mountain: A clothes hanger abandoned on the sidewalk

Reckless Behaviour on Mountain Trails: A Growing Concern for Rescue Services

A worrying trend of reckless behaviour among hikers in mountainous regions is causing concern for rescue services in Austria and Switzerland. According to Richard Lehner, a mountain guide and rescuer from Zermatt, the rise in such incidents can be attributed to ambition and egoism among mountain-goers. Stefan Winter from the German Alpine Association (DAV) concurs, reporting an increase in reckless behaviour among hikers.

In Tyrol, Austria, mountain rescuers have been deployed around 700 times since the beginning of May 2025. Similarly, in Switzerland, 3,570 people got into mountain distress last year, with an increase in blocked and unharmed rescued persons, especially in hiking.

Experts attribute this trend to underestimating risks, poor preparation, and a growing trend of hiking during unsuitable times, such as late afternoons or nights. Contributing factors include lack of proper equipment, inadequate weather awareness, overconfidence, and the physical exhaustion associated with carrying heavy loads.

Many hikers start late after work and get caught in bad weather or darkness, often without proper gear such as warm clothing, maps, or adequate footwear. About 15% of rescue missions are related to people getting lost or being unable to continue safely. Heavy backpacks increase fatigue and risk of falls, compounding the danger.

Unpredictable weather patterns with frequent afternoon storms and slippery trails further exacerbate the risk, especially for hikers who do not adequately prepare for sudden changes. This increases the likelihood of accidents.

In mountainous regions, law enforcement is also targeting reckless driving behaviours related to mountain access roads, which often contribute indirectly to hazardous conditions entering or leaving hiking areas but more directly impact vehicle safety rather than on-foot hiking behaviour.

Key factors contributing to reckless behaviour and increasing rescue incidents include:

Poor planning and late start times, leading to being on trails after dark or during bad weather.
Insufficient or inappropriate gear, such as lacking weather protection, maps, or proper footwear.
Carrying overly heavy or bulky backpacks, causing faster fatigue and balance loss.
Changing and unpredictable weather conditions, with frequent storms making trails slippery and hazardous.
Increased number of casual or inexperienced hikers, underestimating mountain risks.
Growing tourism pressure, increasing the volume of visitors who may be less prepared.

This dangerous trend strains rescue services and leads to higher risks and costs for those needing evacuation by helicopter or other means. Accordingly, experts emphasize better preparation, respect for weather forecasts, starting hikes earlier in the day, and carrying appropriate equipment as essential to reducing reckless behaviours in mountain hiking.

The head of the Tyrolean Alpine Police, Viktor Horvath, notes that many hikers take too much luggage, which can make them lose balance, stumble, and get exhausted. Especially when the helicopter is in use, costs can quickly amount to several thousand euros per deployment, according to Ampenberger of the Bavarian Mountain Rescue Service.

Klaus Drexel from the mountain rescue in Vorarlberg advised taking seriously any gut feelings that something is not right. The almost ubiquitous cell phone reception increases risk-taking, as people believe they can call for help if needed. Images on social media that suggest mega-experiences in perfect weather can tempt people to exceed their abilities, according to Rolf Sagesser.

A tourist from the Netherlands attempted a via ferrata in Carinthia, Austria, with his eight-year-old daughter, using a coat hanger made of wire as a safety device. In 2022, a man hung upside down from a rope for hours near the Matterhorn, dressed in running shoes and light clothing, and was rescued the next morning with a rope attached to a helicopter.

Roland Ampenberger, spokesman for the Bavarian Mountain Watch, stated that the quality of equipment and availability of information, such as route descriptions and weather forecasts, have never been better. However, Rolf Sagesser, a trainer at the Swiss Alpine Club and a mountain guide, suggested that the ease of planning and downloading tours with apps without properly dealing with the route and conditions contributes to recklessness.

Ampenberger sees a dangerous trend of people going to the mountains late in the afternoon after work, with an increase in deployments between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM. In the summer of 2024, rescuers had to be deployed around 480 times during this time. In about 15 percent of the cases, people got lost, got caught in bad weather, or didn't dare to go forward or back.

At the Monte Rosa hut near Zermatt in Switzerland in 2022, a father with two children was missing, and Lehner, a mountain guide and rescuer, spotted them with binoculars but was refused help. The father and children arrived after twelve hours instead of the usual four, with the father planning to descend the same way the next day.

The increased incidents of reckless behaviour among hikers highlight the importance of proper planning, preparation, and respect for the mountains and their unpredictable nature. By adhering to these principles, hikers can ensure a safer and more enjoyable experience for themselves and reduce the strain on rescue services.

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