Amazing story. I witnessed Rega evacuating gondolas at Saenmoser about two years ago. The lift stopped within a minute of us getting out the top and the helicopter arrived about two hours later. That day was a bright sunny winters day with temperatures a mild -3 or -4. The rescue operation was pretty amazing to watch, but even though I have done winching exercises with helicopters over water before, I would have made a pit of a mess of my trousers being evacuated in the mountains. Well done for keeping calm.
As for the temperature. Even with the correct clothing standing around up there would have been freezing. Going up in jeans is pretty silly. I was discussing this a few weeks back with a guide in Obwalden when we saw a group of Japanese tourists going up on a seat lift in city clothing when it was -15 before wind-chill. She was of the impression that it was negligent of the operators to let people onto the lifts without adequate clothing.
Oh... and the mountain is 12000 feet... at no point was anybody 12000feet above the ground. A minor issue as a fall would still have been fatal, but still.
crazy stuff! Just over a week ago I went to Pilatus with my better half. the gondola stopped just about 50m from the top for about 10mins...day was sunny and maybe -2C or so...it did make me feel uncomfortable a bit...then when we got to the top I was surprised how low the barriers were at the edges of mountains..weird place that Pilatus...especially after I saw some candles and a note in German atached to the rock at the entrance to the tunnel part around the highest part up there...it was mentioning something around hoping that this someone found peace etc...perhaps someone commited suicide? no mention of it anywhere in the press...
This is my husband going out, with my aunty (blue scarf) - I think it's important to say that my Aunty has been absolutely petrified of heights for many, many years - and she looks completely fine!!!! This was posted by a nice Australian guy (and partner):
This is my brother going out (burton hat), on his own. My mum is in front of the camera with a furry hat on, and my husband to the side... there's also a quick pan around, showing one of my cousins - surprising how everyone looks just so calm!! - the guy near the exit, wearing the blue jacket and balaclava was the one who lent me his massive mittens!:
I think it's also worth mentioning (as before), that although it was -28, with the windchill it was -54. We had been standing for just under an hour before in the tunnel, where it was absolutely freezing - as we were told the cable car would be there at 3, and it wasn't... there were obviously problems before we even got on... looking back on it, I am very glad to have been a part of the experience, it makes you appreciate your life a hell of a lot more!! - this year, I am sticking to all my new years resolutions!!
I even asked people in the office if anyone heard about this incident in media and there wasn't a single person. With your video capture you could reach headlines big time in 20min.
The lift was the one up to the klein matterhorn, it was out of operation all day yesterday - and the status this morning was 'being prepared'... I wouldn't have any problems going on it again, but I will wait until the spring!!
Wow, just watched this...what an adventure but sod that for a game of soldiers . Me no like heights. The cable car that takes you up Pilatus put me off for life. I will still use them mind as a means to an end, but I do not enjoy the experience one bit....
What I find here more amazing though is the fact that I had told this story to my colleagues during the lunch in cantina yesterday and they looked at me in disbelief (reaction was what's this dude been talking about is he nuts??? ). I mentioned that there was a unique first hand youtube video recorded by individual who appeared to be an EF member and survivor of the incident... Just a few minutes ago same colleague came to me and confirmed that there is an article in 20min. Not the first and last time the EF occured to be a valid source of information
To clear up the confusion, I found that it was not reported anywhere and wanted some news org to investigate (hopefully finding out more from the Bergbahnen etc as to what really happened to the cable car). I didn't like the way it was kept quiet as other incidents abroad with such evacuations had been previously reported. I thought some publicity might help, especially if there is some issues with the cable car. (I will be in it in a few days...)
I pointed several newspapers etc to the article on EF and the videos on youtube. 20 min was the only one who took an interest.
And before anyone asks I have not taken any reward for it!! I also asked the OP if they wanted direct contact with 20min but got no reply so they based it on what was in the forum plus reports from Bergbahnen etc. I identified the heli as Air Zermatt.