Helicopter over the Teplitzer Hütte

On the descent from the Becherhaus to the Teplitzer Hütte (2,586 m), we had been hearing helicopter noise in the Ridnaun Valley all morning. As a local from Ratschings explained to us, an exercise by the Guardia di Finanza, the border guards, was taking place on the Übeltalferner that day. Therefore, the participants, including the mountain rescue team, were flown from the Teplitzer Hütte onto the glacier. Whether they suspected hidden contraband there and were practising how to track it down, or were simply having a nice day in the mountains?

Arriving at the Teplitzer Hütte, a few people were still waiting for their departure. The helicopter itself had to fly from here, the Stubai Alps on the border with Austria, all the way to Bolzano to refuel. That’s where the nearest official filling station is, and he probably wasn’t allowed to refuel at private providers. So we had quite a while of peace and quiet at the hut until the next passengers were picked up. Because the tanks were now full, only three people were allowed to board at first, then at least four in the next round, and the last flight took the remaining six people. Then the helicopter landed again and the dashing Italian pilot and his co-pilot got out for a lunch break at the hut. The hut warden took the opportunity and was allowed to let his children climb into the cockpit.

On the way up, we had enjoyed a wonderful peace and quiet here with musical accompaniment by an alphorn player. But the encounter with the pilots and the spectacle of the short landings was also a new experience.