On the afternoon of Saturday, November 1, 2025, a devastating avalanche struck the slopes of Cima Vertana in the Ortler mountain range near Solda, South Tyrol, northern Italy, claiming the lives of five German climbers and casting a somber shadow over a region beloved by mountaineers. The tragedy unfolded at an altitude of more than 3,500 meters (11,500 feet) as three separate groups—traveling independently—were caught in a sudden cascade of snow and ice, just a few hundred meters from the summit.
The victims included two men and a woman, whose bodies were recovered on Saturday, and a father and his 17-year-old daughter, found the following morning. Two other climbers, miraculously, survived the ordeal; they were airlifted to a hospital in Bolzano, reportedly treated for shock but otherwise unharmed. According to the Associated Press, the survivors had managed to escape the main torrent of the avalanche, a feat that likely saved their lives.
Details of the incident emerged from multiple reports, including those by AFP, DW, and The Guardian. The first group, consisting of three climbers, was completely buried by the avalanche. All three perished. In a second group of four, two survived by finding shelter, while the remaining two—a father and his teenage daughter—were swept away and later found dead. Italian alpine rescue teams, led by spokesperson Federico Catania, described the harrowing search and recovery efforts. "They had been dragged to the lower part of the gully where the avalanche occurred," Catania told the Associated Press. He added, "Rescue teams are now returning to the valley, also considering the worsening weather conditions at high altitude."
The search operation was complicated by adverse weather, with poor conditions delaying the recovery of the last two victims until Sunday morning. The rescue teams utilized helicopters, drones, and thermal imaging in their efforts, displaying both urgency and caution as night fell and the weather deteriorated. Olaf Reinstadler, a spokesperson for the Sulden mountain rescue service, noted late Saturday that hopes for finding the missing climbers alive were slim, given that they had fallen about 200 meters (656 feet) during the avalanche.
Questions have arisen about why the climbers were still ascending at 4 p.m.—considered a relatively late hour for such a high-altitude climb. Rescuers and local media, including Corriere della Sera, speculated that a combination of factors, such as a sudden wind and the accumulation of snowdrifts near the summit in recent days, may have triggered the avalanche. Notably, the risk of avalanches was not considered high on the day of the incident, adding to the sense of unpredictability and tragedy. The climbers, equipped with crampons and ice axes, were reportedly just a few hundred meters from achieving their goal when disaster struck.
South Tyrol, nestled near the Swiss border, is renowned among German tourists for its challenging peaks and breathtaking alpine scenery. The Ortler massif, with its highest peak Ortles rising to 3,905 meters, is a magnet for experienced climbers and hikers. Cima Vertana, the site of the avalanche, is one of the region’s most sought-after summits. According to Newsday, avalanche accidents are a persistent problem in the Italian Alps, with the country registering one of the highest 10-year average annual death tolls among major ski nations. Many victims are ski mountaineers or freeriders drawn to the allure of untouched backcountry terrain.
Some experts and local authorities have observed an uptick in avalanche incidents in recent years, possibly linked to more people venturing into remote areas immediately after fresh snowfall. This trend, reported by the Associated Press, has raised concerns about the growing risks facing both seasoned and amateur mountaineers. Despite the popularity of the region and the precautions taken by many climbers, nature’s unpredictability continues to pose a formidable challenge.
The avalanche on Cima Vertana was particularly severe, sweeping away two rope teams and scattering climbers down the mountainside. The force of the snow buried the first group entirely, while the second group experienced a split fate—two surviving, two lost. The precise sequence of events is still being pieced together, but what’s clear is the suddenness and power of the avalanche left little time for evasive action.
In the aftermath, the mountaineering community in Germany and Italy has been left reeling. Tributes have poured in for the victims, especially the 17-year-old girl whose life was cut tragically short. Local authorities in South Tyrol have expressed their condolences and emphasized the ongoing risks associated with high-altitude climbing, even for experienced adventurers. The incident has also reignited discussions about safety protocols, weather forecasting, and the importance of early starts for summit attempts.
While the region remains a beacon for those seeking alpine adventure, the tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers lurking in the high mountains. Italian alpine rescue services, who responded with professionalism and resolve, have reiterated calls for climbers to heed weather warnings and to avoid late-day summit pushes, particularly when conditions are unpredictable. As Federico Catania remarked, "Rescue teams are now returning to the valley, also considering the worsening weather conditions at high altitude." His words reflect not only the challenges of the rescue operation but also the respect that even the most seasoned mountaineers must have for the mountains.
For the families of the victims, the loss is immeasurable. For the broader mountaineering world, the avalanche on Cima Vertana is a stark illustration of both the allure and the peril of the Alps—a place where beauty and danger are often inextricably linked.
