Transnational avalanche training in Hinterriss 

Amidst the scenic landscape of the Schönalmjoch in Hinterriss, a popular area for ski tourers and snowshoe hikers, an extensive transnational avalanche training exercise took place on 9 March 2024. The Achenkirch and Maurach mountain rescue teams from Austria, the Lenggries and Bad Tölz mountain rescue teams from Germany and the Schwaz Alpine Operations Group (Alpine Police) met with a total of 70 members for a realistic emergency scenario with two avalanches, which were dealt with by two groups.

With great effort and coordination, the emergency services were flown from Hinterriss to the fictitious accident sites using helicopters from the Bavarian State Police and the Austrian Ministry of the Interior. There, the mountain rescuers and mountain rescue teams located and dug out a total of eight buried people with the help of two avalanche search dogs, avalanche transceivers and probing chains. The rescue operation was also accompanied by a team of eight emergency doctors, who carried out the necessary advanced medical measures on the avalanche before the patients were rescued and transported away by helicopter using a winch.

The cross-organisational and cross-national exercise demonstrated the special requirements of such a large-scale exercise: for example, it was necessary to bridge the country-specific radio channels and the different operational tactics of the four emergency response organisations had to be coordinated and harmonised. Thanks to the excellent cooperation of all participating organisations, the scenarios were successfully processed and some important thoughts can be taken away for the future.

Special thanks go to the Hinterriss fire brigade, Hinterriss Hunting and Forestry, Karwendel Nature Park, landowners, tenants and the relevant authorities. We would also like to thank the Reindl family/Gasthof zur Post for the excellent catering after the exercise and the municipalities of Eben am Achensee, Vomp and Lenggries for their financial support.