The documentary series offers a captivating insight into the world of mountain rescue and shows the diverse challenges the rescuers face, what they achieve, what they experience, and what they feel. Despite their beauty, the Bavarian Alps also harbor numerous dangers, for example, when tour planning is poor, one's own abilities are overestimated, or the natural surroundings are underestimated: Steep slopes, unstable weather conditions, avalanches, and unpredictable natural events make mountaineering and hiking ventures with a risk that should not be underestimated.
DirectorPeter Hirsch
Lost in the fog
Apr 9, 2025
A young mountaineer finds himself in distress on the Blaueis Glacier. He is hiking alone when thick fog rolls in, making him afraid to go any further. The mountain rescuers immediately set off, but the fog becomes a problem for them too.
Steep mountainside without safety equipment
Apr 9, 2025
A hiker gets lost while descending from the Hochkalter and suddenly finds himself on a dangerous cliff face, from which he makes an emergency call. The mountain rescue team is alerted and immediately dispatches a helicopter. But then the situation escalates. And on another day, things get hectic: A mountain hiker suffers a painful kneecap injury while descending from the Watzmannhaus.
Life-threatening on the Zugspitze
Apr 9, 2025
A dramatic call for help from Germany's highest mountain: Two tourists were caught in a violent thunderstorm and snowstorm while climbing a via ferrata. Operations like this require the utmost concentration from the mountain rescue volunteers. On another day, duty officer Willi Kraus Sr. had to rescue a mountaineer by helicopter who had fallen through a rock on the "Iron Age" climbing route on the Zugspitze.
Air rescue on the Watzmann
Apr 9, 2025
Three friends are stuck on a steep slope on the small Watzmann mountain - rescue is only possible by air. But time is running out: a thunderstorm front with heavy rain is expected in the afternoon. This is a mission that will demand everything from the mountain rescuers.
Missing
Apr 9, 2025
A young man has been missing for days. His last known whereabouts: the Höllental valley on the way to the Zugspitze. The mountain rescue service launches a new search amidst old snowfields and rocky slopes prone to rockfall and finds what he is looking for. Another team from the Grainau mountain rescue service is on alert: a hiker has fallen on the Stangensteig trail.
Night Search
Apr 9, 2025
Two climbers are reported missing on the Watzmann after being caught in a severe storm. As darkness falls, mountain rescuers begin their search for the missing men. But even after more than 12 hours, there is no trace of them. By car, motorcycle, on foot, and from the air, the mountain rescuers are doing everything they can to find the climbers in distress.
Lost on the Glacier
Apr 9, 2025
A hiker is in distress on the Höllentalferner glacier and must be rescued by helicopter. The steep glacier is littered with sharp rocks that can cause serious or even fatal injuries if a fall occurs. Elsewhere, narrow switchbacks and numerous tourists complicate the rescue of an elderly woman from the Höllentalklamm gorge.
Continuous Operation on the Ski Slope
Apr 9, 2025
Mountain rescuers are also deployed in Germany's highest ski area. On the steep slopes around the Zugspitze, several emergencies often occur simultaneously. This requires quick and professional action. Mountain rescuer Simon Preibisch and the ski rescue team must treat a skier with a severe cut on his shin as quickly as possible.
