Counterweight operation on the steep slopes of Slovak Paradise
On the evening of November 8, mountain rescuers on duty received a call to help a 73-year-old tourist. The traveler got lost above the Sukha Bela gorge, found himself on a dangerously steep slope, and was unable to move further.
Mountain rescuers from the Slovak Paradise unit went on a search. Having found the tourist, the specialists organized an evacuation from the slope using a rope, gradually pulling him with a counterweight onto a forest road.
From there, the man was taken by a four-wheel drive mountain service vehicle and taken to Pidlisok. Since the elderly traveler did not suffer any injuries, after the operation, he voluntarily continued his journey on his own.
Source: Zablúdený a uviaznutý starší muž nad roklinou Suchá Belá
Context
The Suha Bela Gorge is the most popular in the Slovak Paradise National Park. Its classic route starts from the Podlisko tourist center and leads with green markings along the stream of the same name through rocky canyons and waterfalls.
The passage through the gorge itself is strictly one-way - you are only allowed to move upstream, overcoming steep rock rapids with the help of chains, metal ladders and bridges. The return descent to Pidlisok is a circular route through forest dirt roads and adjacent mountain trails.