BOLZANO. The absolute number already says enough, but it is even more significant if compared to past years. Up to now, and we are not even at the end of August, the National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps of the CAI Alto Adige has reached a thousand interventions, 23 dead.
They weigh theovertourism and the usual unpreparedness of too many when tackling the mountain. In this sense, more and more accidents involving those who go on excursions in mountain bike elettrica. And too many use rescue and helicopter rescue as if they were taxisThe president of the South Tyrolean delegation of the Cnsas explains it, George Gajer: «A thousand interventions at the end of August, in fact, is a lot», he comments. «Usually, at the end of the year we reach an average of 1,200-1,300 interventions. But now it’s only August…».
There is still the whole autumn ahead, with a strong influx of tourists, hikers and mountaineers from the German-speaking area. And then there is also the skiing December to count. Last year, 2023, the interventions of the Cnsas – which do not represent the total because then there are also those of the Bergrettungsdienst of the Alpenverein, even if they are often joint rescue operations – were 947 with 33 deaths. Just yesterday the Cnsas reached 1000.
At the top of the list of reasons for so many interventions, Gajer places overtourism. «This year the assault on the plants is mind-blowing. They are beautiful, you go up fast, but then we all find ourselves at high altitude, like on the ski slopes in winter». Most accidents happen in the hiking field, «even if now accidents with electric mountain bikes have increased exponentially. The problem is that pedal-assisted bikes make the approach easier, but the grip on e-mtbs is more complex than normal, due to the weight and not only. Now many people watch videos on the internet and think it is easy to go up and down anywhere, but it is not like that».
Just as beginners who ski should rely on a teacher and those who start climbing should be accompanied by a guide, according to the president of the Cnsas, electric cyclists should also learn the basics with a guide. “Not everything is within everyone’s reach, there is a risk of devastating effects.”
Another big problem for the Alpine rescuers is what emerged especially starting last year and exploded this year, especially in Gardena. “I have never seen queues like this at the facilities, despite certain costs. To go up to Seceda it costs 45 euros, a significant expense for a family.”
The worst thing is that too many people go up “and then they delay, as for example happens at the Comici refuge. They know the times very well, they go over them and call for help, perhaps using the excuse of a sprain. A few weeks ago three Koreans called us, saying they were suffering from hypothermia. When the help, who had come up from Santa Cristina, arrived, they asked if they could wait to see the sunset”.
By now, Gajer says, “they consider us as a taxi. The fact is that they are not there, but heavy tariffs should be introduced in these cases. The helicopter rescue is not a taxi”. Also because “by doing so you take away men and equipment that could be needed elsewhere, for important reasons”.
Last note to consider, the usual one about too many people walking around in flip-flops and slippers, who bring their dogs with them. «There is no culture. They don’t care. I’m also starting to wonder if it’s worth doing prevention. It’s all exasperation, in this tourism. The refuges are an apotheosis of starred restaurants. This amusement park, sooner or later, will explode. The other day I was at the Stelvio, it was mind-blowing».
2024-09-02 05:27:31