Mountain Rescue at the Eiger-Ultratrail

How Safety Works in an Emergency – Interview with Martin Weibel, Head of Mountain Rescue

Safety at the Eiger Ultratrail: How is the safety management organized? 

The responsibility for safety at the Eiger Ultratrail lies with the organizer, represented by Ralph Näf. There is a safety committee made up of experienced organizers, mountain rescuers, and guides who coordinate and plan the safety measures. 

Has Momentum PRO been used for mountain rescue? 

Yes, Momentum PRO was launched about two years ago. Over the past 13 years, more and more mountain rescuers have been stationed on various sections of the route to monitor the route and to be able to help quickly in a emergency. 

How many rescuers are deployed? 

Today, typically 60 to 70 rescuers occupy posts along the route. Using Momentum PRO, their locations can be tracked live, allowing the team to quickly find the nearest rescuer in an emergency and coordinate the response. 

What is your role on race day?

 I am mainly responsible for technical support – an important piece of the safety management puzzle. 

How did the EMS help handle bad weather? 

When a thunderstorm warning came the day before, the safety committee adjusted the race routes and repositioned the rescuers. About 50 were ultimately deployed. During the race, EMS helped monitor the teams and hazardous areas. Weather updates were regularly sent to the rescuers via a Threema app. 

How do you respond to localized heavy rain? 

We were able to ask rescuers who were already on their way back if they could stay a bit longer. This allowed for flexible reinforcement of coverage without lengthy phone calls.