Photo File: Navy SEALs training in the Alps

"In di Berg bin i gern … " This is not only sung in an Austrian folk song, but it is also the confession of all mountain enthusiasts who passionately engage with rock and ice. Some of them also come from the United States and have professional obligations in Germany. We met Navy SEALs from the Naval Special Warfare Unit 2 stationed in Germany for a private training session in the Ötztal Alps last year.

On the first day, working on the rope and deepening rope techniques were on the agenda. The main focus was on how the climber can quickly move himself and his team from point A to point B on the wall. Entirely new technical possibilities were also tested: the Talon is a ground anchor (left) that can be used where there are no other attachment points. For tactical purposes, it creates the ability to establish firm points. Well camouflaged on the Tirol wall (right): the Ops-Core BUMP Helmet also has the AOR2 Cover on in leisure time. For the operators, training means going up (left) and down (right). With all the equipment on the belt and here with special Cosmas boots, which were actually developed specifically for the Italian combat swimmers and are great for climbing. The evening program is self-designed – no hut fun. A wine bottle in the Jetboil. Hard training and relaxation afterwards ensure the appropriate heaviness for the Navy SEALs' beds. The Americans also sleep comfortably in the Carinthia bivy bags. The SEALs spend the night in the well-known Defence 6 winter sleeping bags from Carinthia with a Comfort Limit of -20°C. They are additionally well protected in the Carinthia Bivy Bags XP II Plus in the bitterly cold December night. The XP II Plus can be completely closed without the risk of suffocation because a gas-permeable GORE laminate is breathable. The creation of a microclimate inside allows the user to survive even in Arctic temperatures. Nothing is as incomparable as the Tyrolean mountain world at sunrise. The photographer has already managed it, while the SEALs and their trainers are still in their Carinthia bivy bags. Second day of training on the glacier: a trainer lets himself fall into a crevasse. Even in an exercise, this is not without risk. This way, the SEALs learn how the impact feels when a man falls into the crevasse and how the fall load is transferred to the rope team.Crevasse rescue is a very important topic, here the pulley system is set up for it. The SEALs had already learned this before, and here on the mountain the learning is deepened. Navy SEALs near the ski slopes. Vacationers pass by on the ski lift while the American Navy members learn and practice mountain techniques. Self-rescue after falling into a crevasse: It is crucial to master the technique perfectly and work stress-resistant. Even for SEALs, the motto is: Practice until you drop. To stay warm in the freezing cold: the Carinthia HIG 3.0 (Comfort Limit -15°C) is the ideal jacket with its low weight and high thermal performance. Its durability and quality have already been proven in various armies and special forces.

Navy SEALs on the internet: www.sealswcc.com

Carinthia on the internet: www.carinthia.eu