The case in summary The rescue climber Jarl Gåsvær was seriously injured when he had to rescue two tourists down from Vågakallen in Lofoten last Saturday. For over 14 hours he was left in the mountain ledge before the helicopter came to him and could fly him to hospital. Several of those who were involved in the rescue operation have called it the most demanding they have been involved in. Now, several days later, Jarl Gåsvær is still dizzy and distressed. He praises the rescuers from the Norwegian Alpine Rescue Groups (NARG) and the 330 squadron, and says he will continue as a rescue climber. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. Only a few days have passed since the dramatic rescue operation that topped the news on Saturday. While news talks to Jarl Gåsvær, he sits in a dark room. He is still dizzy, and makes his way to his head. With a concussion, he must avoid a lot of light and noise. Jarl Gåsvær is a keen climber. Last Saturday, he was the one who was injured when they had to rescue two tourists from a mountain ledge at Vågakallen. Photo: Private – I am swollen in half of my scalp, he says to news. – I have a fairly long wound that goes almost all the way into the skull, which had to be cleaned and stitched up when I got to the hospital, adds Gåsvær. He usually works as a GP in Svolvær. In his spare time, he is an avid climber and a volunteer in the Svolvær alpine rescue group. They are the ones who step out when people need help in the mountains. Five days ago he was badly injured when he had to rescue two tourists from Vågakallen in Lofoten. – The last thing I remember is that the first of the two is sent up to the other rescuers. – When a rock first came and it came down towards us, it could hardly have gone any better. – The most demanding rescue operation Several of those who were involved in the rescue operation have called it the most demanding rescue operation they have been part of. Especially when one of their own was badly injured. Many believe that it could have gone much worse. – It is the most complex operation I have been involved in, the leader of the Svolvær alpine rescue group, Bjørn Kirkhaug, told news on Monday. The two tourists had asked for help. The top of Vågakallen is 943 meters above sea level, and is a landmark just north of the fishing village of Henningsvær. The trip is recommended for experienced and active hikers. On sunny days, the view should be extraordinary. But this Saturday there was a heavy cloud cover over the mountain. There was poor visibility and a cold wind in the mountains. The two tourists had lost their way down what is a route for climbers. They were cold and wet when Jarl and the rescue team finally found them. The helmet saved him Even he doesn’t remember the rock that hit him. He rappelled down to the tourists, while two from the rescue team stood at the top and began to pull the first tourist up. But he doesn’t remember them shouting “STEIN”. This is how climbers warn each other of dangers. The stone, weighing between ten and 20 kilos, narrowly avoided the man hanging from the rope. But just below stood Jarl and a woman. Nor does he remember pushing her against the rock and using his body to protect the woman. – It must have hit perfectly, on the right person, on the person wearing a helmet, says Gåsvær. Jarl’s helmet has cracked open, the stone weighing between 10 and 20 kilos came loose when the rescue team tried to hoist a man up from a mountain ledge. He lay for half a day on the mountain ledge before the helicopter could fly into the area and take him to hospital. – It was a terrible place to lie. There was bad weather, bad visibility and all that, but I was never worried that they wouldn’t get me out. The climber praises the rescuers from the Norwegian Alpine Rescue Groups (NARG) and the 330 squadron. Will continue as a rescue climber – So eternally grateful to both get help from them and be part of that group. Both the helicopter and rescuers were at their best. Just as I expected and hoped. Fourteen hours is a long time, but it felt good along the way. Jarl Gåsvær was grateful to wake up to familiar faces when he came to himself on the mountain ledge at Vågakallen. The alpine rescue groups from Svolvær and Bodø brought tents, heating blankets, primus and food. Photo: Svolvær Alpine Rescue Group – Are you going to continue in the Svolvær Alpine Rescue Group? – Absolutely, this has nothing to do with my existence in either the mountains or the rescue group. This is a comma. There will always be people who get stuck and I am a keen climber myself. Afterwards, he received a greeting from the tourists who were rescued. He thinks that’s nice. – I am in NARG mainly to save other climbers. But most often it is probably the case that it is a slightly different group of people who need help, it feels meaningful anyway, says Jarl.
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Rescue climber Jarl Gåsvær was rescued from Vågakallen in Lofoten – news Nordland
