Vandalism at the Watzmann: rescue hut in danger of death!

Vandalism at the Watzmann: rescue hut in danger of death!

In recent weeks, an incident of vandalism at Watzmann-Hocheck caused frowns and disappointment. On November 1st, 2025, the All Saints Day holiday, the Ramsau mountain rescue service actually just wanted to repair a small hole in their shelter hut. But during the inspection, the emergency services found massive damage that clearly indicates deliberate destruction. On-call manager Michael Renner suspects that the same perpetrators are behind the damage that the mountain rescue service has been observing with concern for some time, as Merkur reports.

The financial damage caused by the destruction amounts to a four-digit amount. What was striking was that the emergency services even had to be taken to the summit in a police helicopter to assess the catastrophic situation. In the emergency room of the hut, the door was open, the wood was damp and there was a total of 15 centimeters of snow on the ground.

Massive damage and safety concerns

Particularly alarming is the condition of the padlock, which was so badly damaged that it had to be flexed open. The vandalism caused here endangers not only the hut itself, but also mountain rescue services in the region. In an emergency, access to important tools and equipment could not be guaranteed, which could have serious consequences for aging mountaineers and emergencies.

The plastic frame of a window in the publicly accessible shelter was damaged, which already led to water damage. The wooden wall could have been so badly damaged by the water that it is probably no longer repairable. Currently, the mountain rescue service has only been able to temporarily close the window with a wooden panel, while the police have initiated an investigation into property damage and are accepting tips on +49 (0) 8651 9500.

A sad development

“We are facing a sad culmination of a long series of vandalism incidents,” Renner continued. Hikers discovered similar damage in October, and there have been unpleasant incidents in the past, such as the door to the storage room being broken down in July. “The hut, which serves as an emergency shelter between the Watzmannhaus and the Wimbachgrieshütte, is not a place to sleep, but should offer mountaineers protection in emergencies,” emphasizes Renner. But how long will this purpose be fulfilled if such devastation is not stopped?

The mountain rescue service expresses concerns about the long-term preservation of the hut, which has now also been used as a fireplace. It remains to be hoped that such behavior will soon come to an end and that the beauty of nature and the safety of mountaineers will no longer be endangered.