30 years ago women were not yet admitted to the Munich mountain rescue service. They have long fought for their place. Out and about with Nadja Böhm and Kathrin Gobitz-Pfeifer, who climb mountains and hang out under helicopters to save other people’s lives.
from
Iris Hilberth
The temperatures are still in the single digits on this October morning. Smoke rises from the chimney of the Maxlrainer hut, which quickly mixes with the cool, dry mountain air above the Valepp. Outside, Kathrin Gobitz-Pfeifer pulled a fleece jacket under her blue and red mountain rescue anorak. Together with Nadja Böhm, she heaves the mountain stretcher onto the roof of the VW bus. Colleague Alois Rausch lashes the single-wheel transport device to the rescue vehicle. The medical supplies in the big rucksacks still have to be checked, the radios distributed, the hiking boots laced. Preparations for a beautiful autumn day. “In any weather, at any time, in any terrain” is the motto of the mountain rescue service. The best mountain weather is expected again, almost summery. And with it many day trippers in the Spitzing area – hikers, climbers, mountain bikers. The parking spaces at the bottom of the lake are already filling up. The first visitors pass the hut on foot or cycle on the narrow road up towards the Rotwand. The Munich mountain rescue service is on standby with two women and one man.