Hart, Härter, Edelweiss Raid 2017

03/16/2017By Redaktion

Edelweiss Raid Fighting Fit Gebirgsjäger Veranstaltungen

Today and until March 17th, the "Edelweiss Raid" takes place in the Tux Alps in Tyrol for the eighth time, the toughest competition for mountain troops worldwide. Participants are required to demonstrate all their military and Alpine skills. In addition to a route of more than 40 kilometers and overcoming more than 4,000 meters in altitude, several demanding military stations must be mastered. This competition pushes participants to their physical limits.

International Participation

In addition to teams from Austria, soldiers from Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Russia and Switzerland are facing the challenge. With teams from ten nations, the eighth edition of the "Edelweiss Raid" in 2017 is more popular than ever before. The broad field of starters attracts the best mountain soldiers to Tyrol and guarantees excitement until the arrival of the last team. Not without reason, the "Edelweiss Raid" is also referred to as the "World Championship of Mountain Troops." HERE you can find the EWR Live Blog.

Marching Route and Stations

The route takes the soldiers from Lager Lizum over the Klammjoch to Lizumer Reckner, where after the descent into the valley floor, Lizum is ascended again, until the overnight camp is established at the Mölser Hochleger. The second day leads the participants back over the Klammjoch and Schotteben to the Torspitz and further over the Eiskarspitze to the Hippoldspitze, from where they ski down into the Melang before reaching the destination Lager Lizum after another ascent.

Comprehensive Safety Management

The high Alpine character of this competition requires comprehensive safety management with clear measures to reduce the risk for all participants. Military Alpine specialists monitor the weather and avalanche situation throughout the entire competition. To be prepared for all eventualities, the Bundesheer also provides Alpine-movable medical personnel and a medical emergency team. Other safety factors include the high level of training and alpine qualification of the personnel deployed on the route, as well as the high physical and mental performance of the competitors. The digital radio system BOS-Austria guarantees constant communication with the squads and the possibility to track them in real-time on a digital map.

The "Edelweiss Raid" is organized by the Mountain Combat Command, the national and international know-how and force provider in mountain combat and mountain training. Furthermore, the Mountain Combat Command is a leader in the European training cooperation "Mountain Training Initiative (MTI)." The goal of the MTI is to ensure a uniform military mountain training for all participating states. HERE is the info folder for the Mountain Combat Command: info_folder_KdoGebKpf

Award Ceremony at Lager Lizum

The conclusion of the competition is marked by the festive award ceremony. This takes place on Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 7:00 p.m., at Lager Lizum at over 2,000 meters above sea level. There, after two challenging days, the three best teams are awarded trophies. Every participant who completes the competition receives their personal badge of the "Edelweiss Raid" - as a reminder of the performance and as motivation to come back in two years. (Text & Image ÖBH)

More about the competition: www.bundesheer.at/edelweiss-raid

Follow the competition live:

FB Bundesheer: (PHOTOS)

FB Edelweiss Raid: (Current Reports)

HERE is the EWR Live Blog.