A 69-year-old Polish hiker required a complex mountain rescue operation in the High Tatras on Sunday night after losing his way while descending the closed Gerlach peak in severe weather.
The Perilous Descent and Rescue Operation
On Sunday evening, a 69-year-old Polish national contacted rescue services reporting that he had lost his route while descending Gerlach. Despite attempts to triangulate his position via phone signals, rescuers struggled to pinpoint his exact location due to technical limitations.
Six members of the Slovak Mountain Rescue Service were dispatched to the scene. Due to freezing temperatures and thick fog preventing drone use, authorities prepared an ECMO machine at the Banská Bystrica hospital in case of extreme hypothermia.
Extraction and Penalties
Rescuers eventually located the man in a steep gully during a vocal search near the Batyżowiecka attempt. After providing emergency aid and stabilization, they used rope techniques to descend to the Batyżowiecka Valley, and the man was airlifted to Stary Smokowiec on Monday morning.
Slovak authorities confirmed the hiker was in the mountains during a seasonal trail closure. Consequently, the Tatra National Park administration issued the man a fine for his illegal entry.
Strict Regulations on Gerlach Access
Slovak rescuers have urged tourists to strictly adhere to park regulations. Gerlach, the highest peak in the Carpathians at 2,655 meters, has no marked trails and remains off-limits to unguided tourists.
Under current regulations, summer access to the peak is restricted to those accompanied by a licensed mountain guide. Only experienced members of high-altitude climbing clubs are permitted to ascend the mountain independently.