Alpine rescue issues warning after hiker climbs Corno Grande in swimsuit and flip-flops
The Italian Alpine Rescue issued a safety appeal after photographs showed a man climbing the 2,912-metre Corno Grande on the Gran Sasso massif wearing only swimming trunks and flip-flops.
Viral imagery on the Direttissima
Photographs showing an individual climbing the highest peak of the Apennines in beach attire have circulated widely on social media networks. The hiker was documented ascending the Via Direttissima of Corno Grande in swimming trunks, bare-chested, and wearing flip-flops. In another set of images from the same outing, the person was photographed progressing across jagged rock terrain completely barefoot. The route leads directly to the Western Peak (Vetta Occidentale) of Corno Grande, which reaches an elevation of 2,912 metres in the Gran Sasso massif within the Abruzzo region. The ascent provoked immediate backlash among mountaineering communities and prompted formal safety warnings from emergency personnel, as Corno Grande has seen severe accidents in previous years.
Alpine rescue safety warnings
The regional mountain rescue service, Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico Abruzzo (CNSAS), issued a formal public appeal on social media addressing the viral images. While avoiding disciplinary action against the specific individual, the alpine body stressed that mountaineers must exercise strict caution during the busy summer period. Rescue officials reiterated that the Direttissima cannot be treated like a casual walking track, pointing out that unsuitable footwear and a lack of protective clothing increase the probability of severe accidents on loose rock.
The Direttissima is not a simple hiking trail: it features exposed sections and technical passages that require preparation, experience, and adequate equipment.
Terrain and high-altitude hazards
The Via Direttissima is classified as a demanding mountaineering itinerary rather than a standard trail. Traversing the route requires hikers to negotiate sheer rock sections and use their hands to scramble across steep, exposed passages where a single slip on loose rock can have severe consequences. CNSAS noted that high-altitude environments in the Gran Sasso range present variable weather conditions that require rigid-soled boots and mountain gear. Public reactions to the warning indicated that such behaviour is not isolated, with one commenter recounting an incident on Thursday 13 August when another climber ascended the normal route barefoot with boots tied to their backpack.
- A hiker is observed ascending the Corno Grande normal route barefoot with boots tied to a backpack.
- Photographs of an individual climbing the technical Direttissima route in swimwear and flip-flops circulate online.
- Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico Abruzzo issues an official safety warning urging appropriate mountain equipment.
Rising rescue callouts this season
The advisory follows a period of frequent emergency deployments across the central Apennines. CNSAS Abruzzo pointed out that the elevated tally of rescue missions carried out this season demonstrates the risks of underestimating route difficulty and environmental factors. Mountain rescue technicians noted that many emergency calls arise because visitors fail to evaluate their physical limitations or consult weather forecasts before setting off.
The very high number of interventions already carried out this season reminds us how important it is to approach the mountains with awareness, without underestimating difficulties and environmental conditions.
Before attempting high-altitude routes on Corno Grande, the alpine rescue corps urges all mountain visitors to assess personal fitness levels, research route descriptions in advance, and carry proper mountaineering equipment. The organisation confirmed that its regional personnel remain available to provide route information and technical advice to hikers seeking clarification before departure.
