Overview

• Messner says many inexperienced people head to peaks after following social-media influencers and end up in accidents.
• He argues true mountaineers are becoming fewer as casual visitors increase.
• He contends it is usually followers of influencers, not seasoned climbers, who fall or get injured.
• He praises the Bergwacht and helicopter crews for rescuing most victims and says without them mountaineering might face prohibition.
• The remarks were published by Schwäbische Zeitung, distributed via dpa, and republished by outlets including Stern and Der Tagesspiegel.