34-Year-Old Climber Dies on Germany’s Highest Mountain

A 34-year-old man has died while ascending Germany’s highest mountain, the 9,717-foot high Zugspitze. The climber, who reportedly attempted to climb the Zugspitze alone, was found dead by three hikers on Wednesday morning, 1,640 feet below the summit.

A medic called to the scene could only confirm the death of the climber. The three hikers who found the body were brought to the valley by helicopter.

According to a press release by the Bavarian police, the climber had attempted to climb the Zugspitze via the Höllental Glacier on Tuesday, June 11. On the final ascent to the summit, he fell from a great height onto the glacier below. There, he slipped 330 feet further down. Authorities assume that the injuries he sustained in the fall caused an instant death.

The German police are still investigating the exact cause of the fall and subsequent death. The Alpine division of the Bavarian police has issued a warning to the public about persistent snow and winter-like conditions in the Alps and advise to exercise caution and proper risk management before venturing out.

Because of unusually cold weather and high amounts of precipitation in the last weeks, snow patches still remain in some areas. This means that some trails necessary for the summit are still covered in snow. Cables and fixed ropes on the “via ferratas” can also be partially buried. “Via ferratas” (Italian for “iron path”) in the European Alps are prepared climbing pathways with iron cables or rails that climbers can clip into to arrest from falls.

The route over the Höllental Glacier is one of the three most popular ways to summit the Zugspitze. Climbers attempting this route have to cover 7,217 vertical feet over six miles. The trails mostly consist of via ferratas, but climbers also have to cross a glacier to get to the summit. Hikers can split the ascent over two days and sleep in a hut.

The Zugspitze is Germany’s highest mountain and is situated at the border with Austria. The summit can be accessed by hiking, two gondolas, or a cogwheel train and is a popular tourist attraction. There is also a ski area located below the summit.