Edelweiss Raid 2019 - the toughest military mountain competition in the world

The "Edelweiss Raid 2019" is a worldwide unique competition that combines the completion of a massive high-alpine marching route with the completion of various alpine and combat technical situations. This competition is one of the biggest challenges for mountain soldiers worldwide and pushes participants to their physical limits.

International Participation

In addition to teams from Austria, soldiers from Germany, France, Bulgaria, Italy, Montenegro, Poland, Russia, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, and the USA are competing in the international mountain ranger competition "Edelweiss Raid". A total of 23 teams from twelve nations are participating in the competition, which is being held for the ninth time in 2019. Excitement is guaranteed, as this is an international comparison of the best mountain soldiers. The "Edelweiss Raid" is rightly referred to as the "World Championships of Mountain Troops" since teams from all over the world have been invited to this exceptional competition.

Marching Route and Stations

The route to be conquered covers a distance of more than 40 kilometers, with teams having to ascend 4,000 meters in elevation over the two competition days. The route takes soldiers on the first day from the high camp Lizum of the Lizum/Walchen training area to the Geier via the Klammalm and Klammjoch to the Moelser Sonnenspitze and then to the Moelser Hochleger, where the bivouac for the overnight stay is set up.

The second day of the competition takes the teams over the Northern Schober and the Torspitze, the highest summit on the 2nd day of the competition, further to the Eiskarspitze and the Hippoldspitze, from where the descent to the Melang is made and the soldiers start the final ascent back to the Lizum camp.

The arrival of the first competition teams at the finish line is expected on Thursday, February 28, 2019 around 12:00 PM. All stations on the route correspond to the philosophy of the competition, combining high athletic performance with military operational tasks. Climbing over difficult rock ridges, orientation tasks in the mountains, sharpshooting in alpine terrain, handling of avalanche transceiver devices, rescuing an injured person, and preparing food for oneself or maintaining combat readiness are tasks that must be mastered during this special competition.

Extensive Safety Management

The high-alpine nature of this competition requires comprehensive safety management with clear measures to reduce risks for all participants. Military mountain specialists monitor the weather and avalanche situation throughout the entire competition.

To be prepared for all eventualities, the army also provides medical personnel and a team of emergency physicians. Other safety factors include the high level of training and mountain qualifications 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 teams and the possibility of tracking them in real-time on a digital map.

Avalanche Blasting

The avalanche situation is continuously assessed during the competition preparation. Potential avalanche slopes along the competition route are blasted by the mountain guides of the Mountain Warfare Center and the 6th Mountain Brigade from Alouette III helicopters. During the competition week, the deactivation of avalanche slopes at Hippoldjoch, Moelser Sonnenspitze, and Geier is planned. These skills of the mountain guides are also in demand in the civilian sector: In advance, two air-movable teams are held ready at the helicopter base in the Schwazer Frundsberg Barracks to blast avalanche slopes upon request from the regional warning center.

Award Ceremony at the Lizum Training Area

The conclusion of the competition is marked by the solemn award ceremony. This will take place on Thursday, February 28, 2019 starting at 5:00 PM at the high camp of the Lizum/Walchen training area. After the challenge of the two-day competition, where every mountain soldier will have given their utmost physical and mental performance, a festive, military ceremony will take place where the best teams of the "Edelweiss Raid 2019" will be honored.

HERE on Facebook you can follow the Edelweiss Raid 2019.

The AUSTRIAN ARMED FORCES on the Internet: www.bundesheer.at