World · Europe · 22 hrs ago
Four hikers rescued by helicopter after snow trapped them on Mount Montasio
Four hikers were rescued by helicopter after snow left them unable to continue safely on Mount Montasio in northeastern Italy.
The group—two men from Friuli, a woman from Mestre and another from the lower Friuli area—was at 2,300 metres above sea level.
They had set out from Suringar bivouac and were heading towards Forca Disteis when fresh snow and a lack of suitable gear made the exposed route unsafe.
The same route is where a hiker from Tuscany died several weeks earlier.
Alpine rescue teams and the Guardia di Finanza helped with the operation, and a rescue technician lowered each hiker by winch before taking them to safety.
All four were brought down safely, with the recovery operation ending at about 16:00.
Four hikers aged 20 to 30 were rescued by helicopter after snow and ice left them unable to continue safely on Mount Montasio.
They were stranded at about 2,300 metres on an exposed route in the Julian Alps.
The group had set out from the Suringar bivouac, where they had spent the night, and called for help.
Rescuers from the regional mountain rescue service and the Guardia di Finanza took part in the operation.
The hikers were lowered by winch and taken to the Piani del Montasio.
- Who
- Four hikers aged 20 to 30: two men from Friuli, one woman from Mestre and one from the lower Friuli area.
- What
- They were rescued by helicopter after snow and ice trapped them on an exposed route.
- When
- Monday, 12 October 2026. The rescue operation took place between about 13:30 and 16:00.
- Where
- At about 2,300 metres on Mount Montasio, in the Julian Alps, near Chiusaforte.
- Why
- Snow and ice made the route unsafe, and the hikers did not have suitable equipment.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The hikers spent the night at the Suringar bivouac.
The group set out from the bivouac but stopped at about 2,300 metres because snow and ice made the exposed route unsafe.
Rescuers used a helicopter winch to evacuate the hikers and take them to the Piani del Montasio.
- Hikers
- Four people aged 20 to 30
- Location
- Jôf di Montasio, Julian Alps
- Altitude
- About 2,300 metres
- Starting point
- Suringar bivouac
- Rescue destination
- Piani del Montasio
- Rescue window
- About 13:30–16:00 on 12 October 2026
Sources
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