BMG to the Rescue!
Paul Warnock on the 'Gallet Grat' rescue
British Guides rescue Swiss climbers in the Oberland
Two British Guides and four Aspirants on the BMG 'summer Alpine test' were called upon to rescue four Swiss climbers this week.
As well as the obvious desire to help fellow climbers, part of the Mountain Guide's Charter includes providing assistance to those who require it in the mountains. During the 2009 BMG Alpine Assessment this week the candidates and assessors were based out of the Frunden Hut in the Bluemlisalp region of the Oberland. After a days assessment on the hill all the Guides and Aspirants were asked by REGA (the Swiss Rescue service) to carry out a rescue on the Gallet Ridge (GalletGrat) of the Doldenhorn (AD).
A party of four had set out but by night fall had failed to reach the summit and were exhausted. All the Guides climbed the ridge quickly and then worked together by short roping and lowering the four climbers down the entire route reaching the hut around midnight. The Guides involved were: Terry Ralphs, Bruce Goodlad, Tim Blakemore, Pete Rowlands, Paul Warnock and Phil Ashby.
As expected, the assessment carried on as normal the next morning!
