Campanile di Val Montanaia: Climber rescued after nighttime suspension

A complex nighttime rescue operation was conducted in the Cimolais area to save two climbers on the Campanile di Val Montanaia. The incident occurred when a man and a woman, while descending from the summit via rappelling, took an incorrect path. The man descended approximately 50 meters into a void before becoming stuck, unable to continue or ascend independently.

After bystanders spotted the climbers in distress, an alarm was raised at the Rifugio Pordenone. Emergency services, including the Valcellina Alpine Rescue, SORES, and regional helicopter services, were deployed. An initial attempt to use a helicopter winch was deemed too risky due to poor visibility and the danger of falling rocks caused by the rotor wash.

Rescuers eventually transitioned to a ground-based approach. After returning to the Pinedo airbase to collect additional equipment, rescuers climbed the eastern side of the peak. Three technicians successfully reached the climber in the dark, attached him to safety lines, and cut his original ropes to bring him down to the base of the obelisk. The climber remained conscious throughout the ordeal, reporting only mild tingling sensations.