Journey to the Zugspitze: 15 year old girl stranded on top of Germany’s Highest Mountain all night.

Philip Skitch
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Tessa had never climbed a mountain before. Then she attempted Germany’s highest peak, the Zugspitze — taking one of its most dangerous routes. What followed was an extraordinary night of danger, exhaustion, survival and unexpected kindness. Stranded almost 3,000 metres above sea level, with her uncle unable to continue, Tessa had to find help herself. A retired mountain rescuer, a Romanian family and a remarkable act of courage changed everything. A gripping true story of adventure, resilience and survival.

Episodes

  1. Aug 29

    Zugspitze nightmare. Stranded on top of Germany’s Highest Mountain

    What was supposed to be an exciting adventure to the summit of Germany’s highest mountain turned into an extraordinary story of danger, courage, survival and unexpected kindness. In this very special episode Philip sits down with Tessa to hear the incredible story of her first ever mountain climb — the ascent of the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak at almost 3,000 metres. Tessa had never climbed a mountain before. Yet she found herself taking one of the most dangerous routes up the Zugspitze, in difficult summer conditions when melting ice made the route particularly treacherous. What began with a long train journey to Munich and an unexpected reunion with her former therapist soon became something far more serious. As darkness approached, Tessa’s uncle Matthias became exhausted and could go no further. The pair had missed their planned route back down and were faced with an unexpected night high on the mountain. Then Tessa reached the summit alone and desperately called out for help. What happened next is extraordinary. A Romanian family, including a retired mountain rescuer, came to their aid. Strangers provided food, warmth and shelter, while Tessa found herself having to remain calm and take responsibility in a situation she could never have imagined. There was no mobile phone. No easy way down. No emergency plan. And yet, somehow, everything came together. The following morning, Tessa finally reached the actual summit of the Zugspitze. Standing on top of Germany, looking out across the mountains, she experienced a moment she describes almost as being inside a dream. There is also a remarkable and unexpected moment involving a full moon and an eclipse, a borrowed jacket, strangers who became rescuers, and a deeply moving message from Matthias reflecting on how far Tessa has come since she was a premature baby weighing far less than a kilogram. This isn't simply a story about climbing a mountain. It's a story about courage, resilience, responsibility, family, human kindness and discovering what you are capable of when circumstances leave you no choice. Tessa went to the Zugspitze expecting an adventure. She came back with a story she will never forget. Listen to Tessa tell the story of her extraordinary journey to the top of Germany. #TalkingToTheDead #Tessa #Zugspitze #Germany #MountainClimbing #Mountaineering #Adventure #Survival #MountainRescue #Courage #Resilience #GermanAlps

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About

Tessa had never climbed a mountain before. Then she attempted Germany’s highest peak, the Zugspitze — taking one of its most dangerous routes. What followed was an extraordinary night of danger, exhaustion, survival and unexpected kindness. Stranded almost 3,000 metres above sea level, with her uncle unable to continue, Tessa had to find help herself. A retired mountain rescuer, a Romanian family and a remarkable act of courage changed everything. A gripping true story of adventure, resilience and survival.

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