Examining the cracking summit of Hochvogel mountain on the German-Austrian border. (Photo: Solveig Eichner / DER SPIEGEL)
By Katherine Rydlink, Jonas Kraus and Solveig Eichner (Photos)
There is no landing pad on the summit of Hochvogel mountain on the German-Austrian border. The helicopter gently sets one skid down on a boulder and four people jump out, heads ducked and backpacks clutched tightly to their chests. The rotor wash tugs at their clothing. Immediately after the door shuts, the helicopter banks away to collect the next group.