Two Mountaineers Rescued After Night in Snow Cave on Monte Rosa
Aosta Valley, Italy — August 22, 2025 — Two German mountaineers were rescued at dawn today after spending a harrowing night in a snow cave at 4,000 meters on the Monte Rosa massif, Europe’s second-highest mountain. The pair, stranded on the Vincent Pyramid due to severe weather, were saved by the Aosta Valley Alpine Rescue team in a high-stakes helicopter operation.
The mountaineers, whose identities have not been disclosed, became trapped late Wednesday evening when a sudden snowstorm hit, cutting off their descent from the 4,215-meter Vincent Pyramid. Facing wind speeds exceeding 80 km/h and temperatures that felt as low as -15°C, the climbers dug a snow cave to take shelter for the night. They alerted emergency services, but the extreme conditions prevented an immediate helicopter rescue, forcing the team to wait until first light.
According to posts on X, the Valdostan Alpine Rescue helicopter lifted off at dawn, locating and extracting the mountaineers by 6:30 a.m. Both were reported to be in good condition, though suffering from mild hypothermia and exhaustion. They were airlifted to a hospital in Switzerland for treatment. “The intervention of the helicopter rescue was critical,” said a spokesperson for the Aosta Valley Alpine Rescue. “The climbers’ decision to dig a snow cave likely saved their lives by providing insulation against the storm.”
The Monte Rosa massif, straddling the Swiss-Italian border, is known for its challenging terrain and unpredictable weather. The Vincent Pyramid, one of the massif’s iconic 4,000-meter peaks, is a popular target for mountaineers but demands technical skill and preparation. This incident underscores the dangers of high-altitude climbing, particularly during volatile summer weather.
This rescue follows a history of tragedies on Monte Rosa, including the 2021 deaths of two Italian climbers who froze on the same peak during a similar storm. The Aosta prosecutor’s office has not indicated whether an investigation will follow this incident, as no fatalities occurred.
Local authorities and mountaineering experts are urging climbers to heed weather forecasts and carry proper equipment, such as ice axes, crampons, and emergency bivouac gear, when tackling Monte Rosa’s peaks. The successful rescue has been hailed as a testament to the skill and dedication of the Aosta Valley Alpine Rescue team, with social media posts praising their swift action.
As the mountaineers recover, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks and resilience required in the Alps’ unforgiving terrain.