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That's what we do in Slovenian alps. Rescue is free and immediate. Just call and volunteers come get you. But if you're in trouble because of negligence or imp

by Swizec 11y ago

That's what we do in Slovenian alps. Rescue is free and immediate. Just call and volunteers come get you. But if you're in trouble because of negligence or improper equipment - like hiking at 6000ft in high heels [1] - then we send you a receipt. [1] some of the stories that make it into the news are really crazy. Like a group of high school students that went on an half day hike without food or water just in their t-shirts. By the time they were rescued, after getting lost, almost all of them had hypothermia. I think criminal charges were brought against the teacher.

Quequau 11y ago
I'm not 100% informed on the details but when I moved to Austria, I joined the Alpenverein. I understand that part of the yearly membership dues go for providing some sort of rescue insurance. Seems like a good arrangement to me.
- Xylakant 11y ago
  Usually the membership fee in an alpenverein includes an insurance that covers rescue/recovery costs up to a certain limit (25k in austria [1], similar in germany). There are alpenverein sections all over europe, so if you like to go climbing and hiking in the mountains, being a member is a good investment. They also take care of maintaining shelters and marking/maintaining the hiking routes. You also get a guaranteed place to sleep in the huts - though you might have to squeeze on a bench in the guest room if you're late and the place is full. [1] http://www.alpenverein.at/portal/service/mitgliedschaft/mitgliedervorteile/0100_weltweit-versichert.php?navid=971928971928 http://www.alpenverein.at/portal/service/mitgliedschaft/mitg...
saiya-jin 11y ago
France has free chopper rescues from, well anywhere, no questions asked (the line between uninformed decision and negligence can be pretty blurry especially if a lot of cash/criminal charges are floating around). There are cases of inexperienced climbers (one I know from Poland) where reluctance to call chopper in critical situation due to worries of costs (plus losing the face) cost 3 young guys lives. Too many like these. Chopper rescues in alps are in almost daily order (especially in winter in places like Vallee Blanche, best and longest of-piste in Europe). A friend of mine was rescued like this in Calanques next to Marseille after she broke her feet after climbing accident. Chopper was called due to inaccessible terrain, and she had a cool ride hanging from chopper by harness over Mediterranean sea.
- snaily 11y ago
  > Vallee Blanche, best and longest of-piste in Europe Longest, by virtue of being very flat. Scenery is great, but the ride is (sometimes literally) pedestrian.
  - saiya-jin 11y ago
    well, you do some 2800m altitude difference in 21 kms. math is clear there, no magic involved :)
arethuza 11y ago
"I think criminal charges were brought against the teacher." People often complain that the risk assessments that schools in the UK have to do are overkill. However, things like this used to happen: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairngorm_Plateau_Disaster https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairngorm_Plateau_Disaster

by Swizec 11y ago

Quequau 11y ago

I'm not 100% informed on the details but when I moved to Austria, I joined the Alpenverein. I understand that part of the yearly membership dues go for providing some sort of rescue insurance. Seems like a good arrangement to me.

Xylakant 11y ago
Usually the membership fee in an alpenverein includes an insurance that covers rescue/recovery costs up to a certain limit (25k in austria [1], similar in germany). There are alpenverein sections all over europe, so if you like to go climbing and hiking in the mountains, being a member is a good investment. They also take care of maintaining shelters and marking/maintaining the hiking routes. You also get a guaranteed place to sleep in the huts - though you might have to squeeze on a bench in the guest room if you're late and the place is full. [1] http://www.alpenverein.at/portal/service/mitgliedschaft/mitgliedervorteile/0100_weltweit-versichert.php?navid=971928971928 http://www.alpenverein.at/portal/service/mitgliedschaft/mitg...

saiya-jin 11y ago

France has free chopper rescues from, well anywhere, no questions asked (the line between uninformed decision and negligence can be pretty blurry especially if a lot of cash/criminal charges are floating around). There are cases of inexperienced climbers (one I know from Poland) where reluctance to call chopper in critical situation due to worries of costs (plus losing the face) cost 3 young guys lives. Too many like these. Chopper rescues in alps are in almost daily order (especially in winter in places like Vallee Blanche, best and longest of-piste in Europe). A friend of mine was rescued like this in Calanques next to Marseille after she broke her feet after climbing accident. Chopper was called due to inaccessible terrain, and she had a cool ride hanging from chopper by harness over Mediterranean sea.

snaily 11y ago
> Vallee Blanche, best and longest of-piste in Europe Longest, by virtue of being very flat. Scenery is great, but the ride is (sometimes literally) pedestrian.
- saiya-jin 11y ago
  well, you do some 2800m altitude difference in 21 kms. math is clear there, no magic involved :)

arethuza 11y ago

"I think criminal charges were brought against the teacher." People often complain that the risk assessments that schools in the UK have to do are overkill. However, things like this used to happen: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairngorm_Plateau_Disaster https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairngorm_Plateau_Disaster