Climber rescued after dangling from Dolomites spire

A 53-year-old climber, Paolo Molin, was rescued after becoming stuck mid-air on the 2,173m Campanile di Val Montanaia in the Italian Dolomites. The incident occurred on August 19 when Molin and his climbing partner, Silvia Furlanetto, attempted to descend the rock needle via a rappel.

Due to a navigational error, the pair drifted onto the west face of the spire, where the intended rope length left Molin dangling in free space without a ledge or anchor. The situation posed a significant medical risk of suspension trauma.

Alpine rescuers conducted a complex operation involving technicians being flown to a ledge and using 200m of rope to reach the climbers. After securing Furlanetto, a rescuer rappelled down to Molin, cut the jammed ropes, and lowered him to safety.