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Lost hikers have been located safely rescued after spending a night exposed to freezing temperatures of -4°C and gale-force winds exceeding 120 km/h near the summit of Pico Torrecilla in the Sierra de las Nieves National Park near Marbella.
You can also find out more about the following: alarm was raised Early on Saturday, 31 January, the woman of the man contacted the emergency services and reported that her spouse had left at 8am from the Saucillo parking lot in Yunquera, the previous morning (Friday 30 January). He was supposed to hike Pico Torrecilla (the highest peak of the Sierra de las Nieves), but got lost.
Guardia Civil mountain rescue scrambled
At 2am, the Guardia Civil’s Operations Room activated the specialist Mountain Rescue and Intervention Group (GREIM) based in Álora, Malaga Province. The teams quickly headed to Yunquera where they confirmed that the hiker had not returned from the trailhead after starting the ascent.
GREIM’s specialists faced harsh weather conditions that included winds over 120 km/hr, and temperatures well below zero. The climb began at night, in sub-zero temperature, with the GREIM team. The storm posed a high level of risk, making the operation extremely dangerous.
Hiker found at 8.30am
Around 8.30am, Saturday, the team managed to locate the hiker after a strenuous climb. The hiker had sought shelter in a crevice at the summit of the mountain to protect himself against the cold and wind. The rescuers then escorted him safely down the mountain after assessing his health and providing first aid.
The hiker returned home on his own, in good overall health, without any reported injuries that required hospital treatment.
This successful rescue shows off the professionalism of Guardia Civil GREIM, which operates in some the most unpredictable and rugged mountain terrains of Spain. Authorities in the Sierra de las Nieves remind hikers to always check weather forecasts and carry appropriate gear. They also urge them to inform others about their plans. If conditions worsen, they should consider turning around, especially when winter storms are affecting southern Spain.
The incident occurred during a time of severe weather in Andalucia. There were strong winds, cold temperatures and warnings for high-altitude regions.
GREIM’s performance is estimated between 900 and 1,000 There are approximately 450 mountain rescues in Spain each year. The majority are hikers.
