In a strong storm, the Svolvær alpine rescue group rescued a tourist from South Korea from the mountain Reinebringen in Lofoten on Monday. Reinebringen is one of the most visited mountains in Lofoten, but the municipality has put up signs that people should not go here in winter. Not everyone understands the seriousness. Already in January, there have been two rescue operations on the popular mountain peak. This summer, a young tourist lost his life in the same town. It was the Svolvær alpine rescue group that rescued the weatherproof tourist. One of them was rescuer Bjørn Kirkhaug. Beautiful pictures reassure tourists He said that the tourist at Reinebringen had seen a picture from the mountain on social media and thought it was a nice place to visit and photograph. PC: The tourist used light from his PC to show the rescue helicopter where he was at Reinebringen. It is not the first time Destinasjon Lofoten has heard exactly this. That is why they have today removed the idyllic Northern Lights image from their website. – The pictures are “triggers” to be able to go there. So we have to try to give people other options to take these photos, says tourism manager Line Renate Samuelsen at Destinasjon Lofoten. Had to climb up on foot During the rescue operation at Reinebringen yesterday, the weather conditions were too tough for the rescue helicopter to lift the tourist out. As a result, the helicopter turned around, and the alpine rescue team had to climb up on foot. – It was not an easy place he had risen to. We had to use ropes and belay him to make sure we got him down safely, says Kirkhaug. Here is the Svolvær alpine rescue group with Vegar Kaspersen and Joachim Aae Flatøy on their way to Reine in a helicopter. Two hours later, the tourist was brought down from the mountain. Photo: SARG Tourists going up the mountain in full storm also put the rescuers’ skills to the test. The rescue team must also think about their own safety. It then becomes a difficult dilemma when they know that a no can have major consequences for those concerned. – The margin is smaller because we know that the helicopter cannot fly in there. So if something happens to us, we can’t be picked up by the helicopter. He makes some reflections on the fact that “Instagram moments” help to amplify the number of expressions they have. – Yes, I don’t know if I should blame Instagram or TikTok. Remi Olsen in the 330 squadron in Bodø says that in the past it was not common to have to rescue tourists in the mountains in winter. – We see that we are getting this type of assignment like yesterday, and we didn’t do that before. It challenges us in winter. CHALLENGING: Several such rescue missions in winter present challenges for rescuers. The tour turned around The alpine rescue group consists of volunteer carpenters, physiotherapists, excavator drivers and others who drop what they have in their hands to help people who have found themselves in a predicament on the mountain. The group has around 20 to 30 outings a year. Kirkhaug says that the group has built up a lot of experience and expertise in climbing and outdoor life, which is sufficient to do the job. Svolvær alpine rescue group in a strong storm on Reinebringen. Here they are on their way to the weatherproof tourist. Photo: SARG He went on to say that two of the Korean’s traveling companions had started the trip with him, but had turned around before the summit. – How did he react when they arrived? Bjørn Kirkhaug in the Svolvær Alpine rescue group says that they have between 20 and 30 rescues a year. Photo: Private – He was very happy. We got him extra clothes and gave him some blackcurrant toddy and Westland lefse, he says. The coop became a “rescue centre” After the rescue operation was over, the police thanked the alpine rescue group for their help, but they also thanked the local Coop Prix in Reine. – In addition, we would like to praise the local employees at the Coop who have helped with information and passing on messages, they wrote on Twitter. Cathrine Johnsen, who works at the grocery store, is happy that everything went well with the tourist. – The rescue team and the police did a fantastic job, she says. Reinebringen is a popular mountain trip in Lofoten. – Challenge to get everyone to understand that Reinbringen is a popular tourist destination among permanent residents, and not least for tourists. But on the path up, a yellow sign warns you to go to the top in winter. Photo: Visitlofoten Operations manager Remi Johansen in the police in Nordland says that the sign is in several places on the road, but that it is only in English and Norwegian. – There is a limit to how many languages we will have it in. He says the police are prepared for several such rescue operations since there are tourists in Lofoten all year round. – There are tourists here all year round who want views and mountains they have not seen before. One consequence of this is that there will be more rescue operations, says Johansen and adds: – You are free to go to the mountains whenever you want, but it is a challenge to get everyone to understand that it is not always so wise. Not surprisingly, Line Samuelsen in Destinasjon Lofoten thinks it is sad and sad that people make stupid choices. – You do that from time to time, so we shouldn’t be too harsh. But yesterday I think it was a risk to go on that mountain. We felt the elements, the wind and all that. In addition to removing alluring images from the websites, they have discussed how they can further reach out to everyone with a message to make wise choices. – How many languages do they do it in? – We haven’t come that far yet. It is also about reaching people where they are. Not everyone is on websites or Instagram. Perhaps the inspiration comes from Instagram, and we don’t always have control over that. CONSIDER TRAFFIC LIGHTS: A potential measure could be to introduce traffic lights to stop people going up the mountain, says Samuelsen. Photo: Privat It is not the first time Samuelsen has encountered this problem. – It is by no means new for us to hear this. Nor do we have the opportunity in Norway to say that the mountain is closed. It is an open field and there is no room in the law to do so. – Should we have? – I think perhaps we should discuss it, and then it has to be raised on a higher level. Bearing in mind that there is a great risk and there are large devices that are set in motion when this happens. They frequently discuss new measures that can make people stop. Right now they are considering a traffic light that lights up red to have a stopping effect. – We have now talked a little about it, then we will see what we can do next, says Samuelsen.
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Destination Lofoten removes image of northern lights from home page after rescue operation at Reinebringen – news Nordland
