In view of an unusually high number of fatal accidents in the mountains, the mountain rescue service and the police in Bavaria are warning of winter conditions in the mountains at Easter.
Especially on the north side there is often still snow, says Stefan Sonntag, press spokesman for the police headquarters in Upper Bavaria South.
It snowed again recently.
"The weather conditions at higher altitudes are still wintry."
The police headquarters in Upper Bavaria South has counted 16 fatal accidents in the area from Berchtesgaden to the Zugspitze this year.
In the whole of last year there were 55 - "a sad historical record," says Sunday.
On average, police mountain guides counted 30 to 40 deaths a year.
“Unfortunately, even at 16, we are again at a number that is far too high.”
The mountain rescue service also registers high wintry conditions above 1500 meters above sea level, especially on the northern flanks - "with pimply hard snowfields and icy passages".
"This must be taken into account in particular with regard to the equipment when planning the tour," the organization explained on request.
"Even on hikes, you may quickly need togs, crampons or an ice ax and practiced handling of them."
It is not entirely clear why the number of mountain deaths has recently reached new highs.
It could be a coincidence, but it could also be due to the urge many people have to get into nature, which has grown during the pandemic.
Especially because of Corona, more and more people have discovered nature and hiking as a hobby.
“That was what was still possible despite Corona.
The more people are out and about in nature, the more things happen.” However, it is unclear whether that is the explanation for the many accidents.
"Maybe it's just a sad coincidence."