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Vandalism at the Watzmann: Mountain rescue hut badly damaged again!
Unknown people damaged the emergency shelter at Watzmann-Hocheck. Mountain rescue services and the police are asking for information about vandalism.
Vandalism at the Watzmann: Mountain rescue hut badly damaged again!
The Watzmann refuge has again suffered from vandalism. Unknown people have seriously damaged the mountain rescue shelter's emergency shelter at the Hocheck summit (2,651 m) in the Berchtesgaden National Park. The incident was discovered by a mountaineer on October 22, 2025 and reported immediately. A wooden wall between the publicly accessible shelter and the emergency storage room was violently broken through. This hut, which can only be reached on foot or by helicopter, not only serves as protection from the weather, but also as a material depot for the mountain rescue service.
Loud Mercury On-call manager Michael Renner has already expressed concerns about the long-term preservation of the hut in the past. The refuge repeatedly suffers from vandalism, the most recent incident of which is estimated to have caused damage of 300 to 400 euros. An attempted repair failed due to strong winds that prevented a helicopter flight.
Problematic vandalism
This damage is no coincidence. There have been at least four documented cases of vandalism at the hut in the past. As the BR According to reports, the damage to the hut is part of a worrying trend that is affecting more and more mountain huts. Broken doors, windows, garbage and leftover feces cause problems for the mountain rescue service volunteers. Unfortunately, vandalism is becoming an increasing problem, which can be dangerous for climbers who need protection.
The German Alpine Club also warns of increasing acts of vandalism in the mountains. Cash registers are repeatedly broken into and summit crosses and signposts are defaced with stickers. These graffiti have not only an aesthetic disadvantage, but also a practical disadvantage, as they make orientation in mountainous regions difficult.
Measures and adjustments
The renovation is necessary because there were also completely different, larger problems such as the accumulation of snow and moisture in the cabin, which led to a mold problem. The mountain rescue service appeals to everyone to take their rubbish with them and to treat the infrastructure with respect. In this way, the positive protective function of the refuge can be maintained in the future and save the lives of mountaineers.