The year 2024 brought diverse challenges and significant progress for the Börzsöny Mountain Rescue Team. Throughout the year, we carried out 49 interventions and rescued or assisted 39 people, which represents a 17% decrease compared to the previous year. However, this decline is partly due to administrative reasons: while in 2023, every minor technical intervention (such as removing small fallen trees from hiking trails) was recorded, in 2024, we performed these smaller tasks without formal documentation. Additionally, the milder winter weather resulted in fewer hikers visiting the Börzsöny, which contributed to the decrease in accidents.
The composition of injuries changed slightly: limb injuries (fractures, dislocations, sprains) remained the most common, accounting for 59.6% of all cases, marking a 20% increase from the previous year. During the summer months, the crumbly dried-out ground posed a particular hazard to hikers, increasing the risk of ankle and leg injuries, especially in the Remete Caves area 1., 2., 3., 4., 5., 6.. The key lesson of 2024 was that crumbly dried-out ground is much more likely to cause ankle fractures than slippery terrain.
A new challenge this year was the rise of heat-related illnesses (heatstroke, exhaustion), which became more frequent during the hot summer months. Additionally, for the first time, we had to respond to an incident involving a deceased individual in the Börzsöny.
More than 42.9% of emergency calls were received directly through the mountain rescue SOS line—we appreciate the trust!
Technical rescues (removal of fallen trees, elimination of hazardous areas) continued to represent a significant portion of our interventions, though their proportion (and often their formal documentation) decreased compared to the previous year. However, first aid and rescue operations remained the core activities of our organization.
The year 2024 was a period of growth for our organization. Throughout the year, many new members joined our team, further strengthening the capacity and expertise of the Börzsöny Mountain Rescue Team. A major highlight was the successful acquisition of a new rescue vehicle, made possible by our community fundraising campaign! Additionally, at the beginning of 2024, we purchased a specialized mountain rescue stretcher, which proved highly effective in difficult-to-access locations and was a valuable asset on multiple missions. Many of you have already traveled in it—we hope, given the circumstances, that everyone found it comfortable and that all bones have healed successfully!
The organization placed great emphasis on training and exercises, hosting numerous professional events to further enhance the preparedness of our members. We also took an active role in local communities, participating in camps and events with educational sessions on accident prevention and hiking safety for children. We had a great time—hopefully, the participants did too! That said, we have to mention one piece of feedback we received from a camp: "You could have asked first who can handle the sight of blood..."
The Börzsöny Mountain Rescue Team extends heartfelt thanks to all our supporters who contributed to our success! Residents of Börzsöny-area villages and hikers in the region, you are fantastic! We are proud of your trust in us and of the unique example we are setting together in Hungary when it comes to community collaboration and volunteerism! If you can, please continue supporting our organization in the future, because this rescue team exists for you and is funded by you!
2025-től már a börzsönyi hegyimentők is jogosultak az adó 1% elfogadására. Adószámunk: 19347026-1-13. Név: Börzsöny Speciális Mentő- és Önkéntes Tűzoltó Egyesület
As always, we extend our heartfelt thanks for the many joint rescues and excellent cooperation with the Nagymaros Volunteer Fire Department, the Kismaros Volunteer Fire Department, the Vác Professional Fire Department, and all the colleagues of Disaster Management and the National Ambulance Service! We also appreciate the professional support of the Ipoly Valley Special Rescue Association, as well as the tremendous help from the mayor of Szokolya and their colleagues. Additionally, we are grateful for the professional support provided by the Duna-Ipoly National Park and Ipoly-Erdő Zrt. But above all, we thank you, Börzsöny hikers, because without you, none of this would be possible at this level!
