STA, 4 July 2022 - Slovenia's mountain rescue teams (Gorska Reševalna Zveza Slovenije) were again busy this Sunday as they came to the aid of several injured hikers as well as a dog in four helicopter dispatches. More and more hikers have insufficient knowledge about mountaineering equipment and underestimate the mountains, the authorities warn, urging responsible behaviour.
The helicopter rescue team that features members of the Slovenian military was dispatched four times in the north and north-west of the country yesterday, rescuing two hikers who were injured due to a slip on the trail, and another one who got injured due to careless behaviour.
In the Komarče area, near Lake Bohinj, where the path is steep and cliffy, the team was involved in a dog-rescue mission. "The circumstances indicate that two dogs jumped at each other and both fell off the path," the police said.
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One dog died at the scene and the other injured its leg. Both were transported by helicopter to the valley. According to the information currently gathered, both dogs were on a leash before the incident and the case is still ongoing.
Sunday's rescue missions coincided with a preventive campaign in the Triglav Lakes area, during which the police, Triglav National Park rangers and the Bohinj mountain rescue team strived to determine how well equipped and prepared hikers are.
The campaign also aimed to raise awareness about nature conservation and safety in the mountains as well as check compliance with relevant rules.
There were individual cases where hikers were not prepared for the challenging terrain they tried to conquer. These individuals went as far in their flippant behaviour as wearing swimsuits, flat-soled trainers or designer mini-backpacks. Some of them even drank beer while hiking, the Kranj Police Department said on Monday.
Four foreigners were also found defying a ban on camping in the Triglav National Park.
The authorities warn that there are more and more hikers who have equipment but no knowledge of how to use it, which is as dangerous or even more dangerous than if they were inadequately equipped as equipment can give them a false sense of security.
