Warning from the Alpine Club: Climate change is making mountaineering more dangerous

The German Alpine Association warns of the consequences of climate change. The danger of falling rocks and ice as well as rock falls is increasing. Tours in the high mountains in particular are becoming more dangerous.

The German Alpine Association (DAV) expects a growing danger in mountain tours due to climate change. DAV safety expert Lorenz Berker said at the presentation of the association’s internal mountain accident statistics in Munich that an increase in falling rocks and ice as well as rock falls is to be expected.

Avoid certain routes in the future

Especially many mountain tours over ice and snow, so-called high tours, would be more dangerous. In the future, hikers would have to do without certain routes or switch to alternative routes. According to Berker, only shorter time windows per year are available for full tours. Where glaciers retreat and permafrost thaws, the difficulties increase. In view of weeks and months with persistent heat like this year, some high tours could no longer be committed.

Use new map material if possible

The DAV expert also warned mountaineers and hikers not to base their planning on old maps or old literature. Many routes have changed, supposedly easy tours could become more difficult.