Mountain Rescue Reports Record Number of Operations in Saxon Switzerland

The German Red Cross (DRK) Mountain Rescue Service has responded to more calls this year in Saxon Switzerland than ever before. According to the regional chapter, there have been 162 missions so far. These figures are still preliminary. In 2025, there were 147 missions; the previous recent high was 160 in 2023.

Eighty-four missions involved hikers who found themselves in distress, and 17 involved climbers. The Mountain Rescue Service classified another 61 operations as other cases. Even though the mountain rescue stations are not staffed on a regular basis, volunteer mountain rescuers in so-called on-call groups remain ready for action and respond to emergencies. These groups accounted for 55 percent of all operations this year.

Preparations for the new season are underway

At the same time, the mountain rescue hut in Rathen is being renovated. A storm had damaged the base. The roof is currently being repaired. In addition, the aging hut is to be modernized. Plans include larger, separate restroom facilities, sleeping accommodations for up to ten people, as well as a modern kitchen and new dining and lounge areas.

According to the German Red Cross (DRK), donations totaling around 340,000 euros had been collected for the mountain rescue service in Saxony by the end of October. More than 740 people are said to have donated. The funds will now be used to begin the renovation and expansion of the hut. It is scheduled to reopen by Easter 2027 and will be expanded into a Saxony-wide training center in the coming years.