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    Solo Winter Camping in the Alps – Helicopter Rescue



    Solo Winter Camping in the Alps – Helicopter Rescue

    ► Music in this film was composed by Thomas James White and is available as an exclusive album titled “Music for Mountains” on all streaming platforms.
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/5309z3IOBpYaDkVp7zKAO8
    Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/music-for-mountains/1764836477
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TomLJWhite
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tom_lj_white/?hl=en
    Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tjwmusic
    Website: https://www.thomasjameswhite.com/

    ► Supported by Enlightened Equipment https://enlightenedequipment.com/, Garage Grown Gear https://www.garagegrowngear.com/collections/harmens-ggg-picks, Bonfus https://bonfus.com/?af=1 and SOTO https://sotooutdoors.com/.

    ► Support and Learn how I shoot these films: https://patreon.com/harmenhoek

    ► All links: https://harmenhoek.com/links

    ► GEAR (affiliate links)
    360 camera provided by Insta360: https://amzn.to/3Ts7gp2
    Quilt: https://bit.ly/46TfBIb (Enlightened Equipment Revelation)
    Wind jacket: https://bit.ly/3uUAvs6 (Enlightened Equipment Copperfield)
    Rain wrap: https://bit.ly/45QJ04J (Enlightened Equipment Rain Wrap)
    Backpack: https://bonfus.com/product/framus-58l?af=1
    Tent: https://bonfus.com/product/duos-2p-2/?af=1
    Stove: https://amzn.to/48ggOti
    Pots: https://amzn.to/46VxC7I
    Camera: https://amzn.to/3GeBfKA
    ALL GEAR: https://harmenhoek.com/gear

    ► ABOUT THIS HIKE
    In April 2024, I embarked on a multi-day winter trek along the Walker’s Haute Route in France and Switzerland. My journey began in Chamonix, where I ascended into the Aiguilles Rouges and spent my first night. From there, I descended to Col des Montets and continued to Lac de Champex, heading toward Sembrancher for my second night. In Verbier, I pushed on over Col de La Chaux and Col de Louvie, camping near Col de Prafleuri.
    Crossing Col de Prafleuri, I passed Cabane de Prafleuri and climbed over Col des Roux to reach the stunning Lac des Dix. Near Lac des Dix, I was picked up by helicopter (details in the pinned comment below). After recovering, I resumed my trek from Arolla to Les Haudères, camping just outside the town. I then tackled Col de Torrent to reach Lac de Moiry, crossed the Moiry Glacier, and spent the night in the remote Cabane de Moiry CAS with incredible glacier views.
    On day seven, I crossed Col de Sorebois to Corne de Sorebois and descended into Zinal. Day eight took me deep into the mountains above Zermatt, where I camped at Stellisee with breathtaking views of the Matterhorn. On the final day, I completed my trek back to Zermatt, wrapping up an unforgettable journey through some of the most iconic passes and landscapes of the Alps.

    This is an ambient film without dialog.

    ► TIMESTAMPS
    0:00 Intro
    2:27 Chamonix, France
    6:11 Lac de Champex, Switzerland
    11:22 Snow camping – Col de Prafleuri
    17:48 Helicopter Rescue
    24:35 Arolla to Col de Torrent
    30:20 Glacier de Moiry – Mountain Hut
    37:56 Matterhorn
    42:27 Zermatt + Outro

    #solohiking #camping #switzerland #winter #snow #zermatt

    34 Comments

    4. @ramadityayt on

      Sir, how do you physically training to hike so many high mountains with extreme weather? I'm 17 years old but I want to know how hikers train their bodies to be that strong. Please give me tips, Mr Harmen, your videos are good as always❤

    5. @HarmenHoek on

      ABOUT THE HELICOPTER RESCUE

      TL;DR: I was (possibly) suffering from altitude sickness—diarrhea, vomiting, headache, and stomach cramps—and was already on my planned bail-out route. The snow conditions were worsening rapidly, and I was too weak to retrace my steps. With bad weather forecasted for the next day, I needed to descend immediately to alleviate my symptoms. After carefully weighing my options, I contacted rescue via my Garmin InReach for advice. I didn’t ask for extraction lightly, but I preferred being rescued now rather than putting others at risk in a storm.

      I had planned this trek in April, typically an ideal time for winter hiking: no fresh snow, solid snowpack, mild temperatures, and longer days. But this year was different. Winter started late, and an unusually warm spring left the snow softer than usual. From the outset, I noticed the challenging conditions: even with snowshoes, I was sinking too deep, and only the early mornings offered solid enough snow for snowshoeing. Despite this, I set out from Chamonix, knowing that softer snow increased the risk of wet avalanches.

      After completing the first stage, I decided to skip the next two, which crossed steep, avalanche-prone terrain. This also meant missing two crucial acclimatization days, taking me from sea level to camping at 3,000 meters in just 48 hours. I felt unwell at this altitude, experiencing poor sleep, headaches, stomach issues, and diarrhea. I have recently hiked Kilimanjaro, rapidly ascending from sea level to 3,600 meters for the first night, without any issues. However, this time felt different, perhaps due to the cold or overexertion.

      On day 4, I woke early to take advantage of the icy morning snow. My plan was to cross three passes before reaching the next town, carefully planned with three exit routes in case of trouble. Progress was smooth in the morning, and I had crossed the first two passes by 11 a.m. However, things quickly deteriorated. The snow turned soft again, and even with snowshoes, I was sinking knee-deep, occasionally breaking through hidden snow bridges up to my waist. As the snow softened, avalanche risk grew. Several avalanches had already come down along my intended route, and I began to feel progressively worse — headaches intensified and weakness set in. It was time to abandon the plan.

      The exit route I chose involved a sketchy service road above a reservoir, with steep slopes and older avalanche debris to cross. The route was grueling, but I made it to a series of tunnels leading toward the main road. Feeling relieved, I thought I was almost out — until I encountered a thick wall of ice blocking the first tunnel’s exit. It was too solid to hack through, and the surrounding terrain was too steep to bypass. My plan B had failed.

      With no way forward and avalanche risk too high to backtrack, I had no choice but to stop. I suspected altitude sickness, but regardless of the cause, I was weakening by the hour, and the worsening weather forecast for the next day meant staying put wasn’t safe. I weighed my options: pressing on was impossible, retreating was too dangerous, and waiting would only put rescuers at risk in the coming storm.

      After much consideration, I decided to press my Garmin SOS button — not necessarily for an extraction but to explore options I hadn’t considered. Garmin’s team was professional, and after reviewing the situation, it was clear the only choice was a helicopter rescue. I was connected to local search and rescue, and 30 minutes later a helicopter arrived. Unable to land on the narrow service road, they lowered a rescuer on a cable, and I was hooked up and airlifted out. The experience was surreal, and the team was incredibly professional.

      Once safely in the valley, my dad picked me up. Only then did I fully grasp how far I had pushed myself: with adrenaline gone, I began vomiting and felt too sick to sit up for hours. I spent the next two nights recovering in a B&B before resuming my journey.

      Lessons Learned:
      No matter how well you plan, conditions can change, and things can go wrong. I had multiple exit routes and was prepared to adjust, but the combination of snow conditions, sickness, and weather created a perfect storm of challenges. Sharing this story is a reminder that even with thorough preparation, having a satellite communicator adds an essential layer of safety in unpredictable situations. You can’t always control nature, but you can control how prepared you are when things go sideways.

    17. @HingLaw on

      Wonderful hiking experience.

      The Haute Route in winter is certainly a daring undertaking. Yet, the scenes are just unrivaling.

      Just wonder how much that extraction would cost.

    18. @en-garde2258 on

      Hi Harmen, Hilda again. I no longer travel however I would make an exception with Switzerland. My husband who is from Texas does not do well in cold weather which is why we live in The Florida Keys. My hope is that when he retires, notwithstanding the weather, we go there. So, this video is especially meaningful to me, Thank you. Again, enjoyed the video immensely. And do take care!!!

    21. @hikesome on

      Wow, Harmen finally I see the Alps through your lens and editing skills. You are one of the toughest and most skilled hikers and filmmakers I have ever seen, if someone like you asks for a rescue team it really must be necessary and that means something. Glad for you that the Garmin InReach worked. God bless you, brother!

    22. @PXx12345 on

      Utterly amazing cinematography and music score Harmen, hats off to both you and Thomas.

      I see at 21:43 you're already signing the credit card authorization for the helicopter rescue, even before you land!

      Having red smoke flares available to use is a good idea to take in similar conditions next time, as it also gives the pilot an indication of the wind direction 🙂

    23. @jeanpeuxplus7257 on

      The Alps? I press play. Harmen Hoek? I press play.
      The 2 of them mixed? I know it's gonna be beautiful and of course it is.
      Even though this one was physically challenging for Harmen, for us it's been a real delight to watch. Thank you, take care and lesson learned Harmen!👍❤

    28. @damienpeterson9891 on

      Absolute respect Harmen. Under pressure you still executed an incredibly stunning and insightful piece of art. I call it art because that is what your videos feel like to me. Thank you for sharing it with us.

    30. @japoc on

      12:52 Maybe the snow you took at that moment was contaminated?
      21:03 That's an expensive "drone" shot right there!
      Is that the Maxus 80L you carried on this trip? What are your general thoughts on it?
      Glad you're ok!

    31. @LivingMoreFully on

      Wow! Stunning cinematography and artistry as usual from my favorite hiking YouTuber. Relieved you're okay and deeply appreciate the vulnerability in sharing your experience being rescued despite your thorough plans and exit routes. As someone who also films their own solo hiking/backpacking experiences, you're on an entirely different level and I have mad respect for your quality and artistry in creating these films for us all to enjoy. Thanks again!

    32. @inthewind773 on

      Garmin appears to offer separate search and rescue insurance plans that cover costs associated with evacuation, helicopter flights included. From my understanding helicopter rescues can be extremely expensive so it would seem to be worth the extra $40 yearly fee if someone is planning on hiking in very remote or inaccessible terrain. I wonder if your snowshoe hike below 4000 meters would be categorized as "mountain climbing" by the insurance and therefore fall into the SAR "high risk" category, which is quite a bit more expensive. Any insight you could offer would be helpful for those of us considering one of these devices and associated extra insurance. Thanks, and great video as usual.

    33. @moyashisoba on

      Harmen, that intro (and the views in general)… I could cry! The mountain views are always like meeting the love of your life again without even knowing how hard you missed them. I know, cheesy, but for me it feels that way.
      Thank you for taking us with you, for sharing your journey, the good and the bad. So sad you had to be rescued but those shots were great as well and better save than sorry And I love that you didn't stop after that rescue.
      Your video is – again – so very good, great work, I've enjoyed every second. Thank you!

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