The operation will continue on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the tourism authority told dpa. Due to the ongoing high risk of rockfalls, no one has been able to reach the site yet.

Dahlmeier, 31, was climbing alpine-style with her rope partner on the 6,069-meter-high Laila Peak when the accident occurred. The two were climbing alone, using alpine style, meaning they were climbing with as little gear as possible and without expedition logistics. Her rope partner immediately called for emergency assistance, and rescue operations were initiated immediately.

Rescue helicopter only arrived at the scene of the accident one day later

Due to the remoteness of the area, a rescue helicopter was unable to reach the accident site until Tuesday morning. During the overflight, it was determined that the experienced mountaineer was at least seriously injured. No signs of life were detected.

An international mountain rescue team is coordinating the rescue, it added. The rescuers are being supported by experienced international mountaineers who are in the region. Dahlmeier's climbing partner is now descending with other climbers.

Laila Peak is located near K2, the second-highest mountain in the world, near the border with China. The region attracts climbers every year, but the risks of avalanches and severe weather are high.

On the way to the second planned summit goal

The former biathlete had reportedly been traveling in the region with friends since the end of June. She had already successfully climbed the Great Trango Tower (6,287 m) on July 8. Laila Peak was the second planned summit goal.

The Garmisch-Partenkirchen native is a state-certified mountain and ski guide, an active member of the mountain rescue service, and is considered an experienced and risk-conscious mountaineer."Suddenly, time stands still. We're all thinking of you, Laura!!" wrote three-time Olympic luge champion Felix Loch on Instagram. Two-time Olympic cross-country champion Evi Sachenbacher-Stehle, who later switched to biathlon, wrote:"Our thoughts are with you, Laura!"

Mountaineering and climbing as a great passion

Mountaineering and climbing are Dahlmeier's great passions. However, she sharply criticized the rampant mass tourism in the Himalayas, for example, that has been rampant for years. The world's highest mountain, for example, where queues regularly form beneath its summit, did not appeal to her, as was made clear in an interview.

For her, mountaineering requires"a certain spirit of adventure, a certain solitude, the ability to choose one's own route, sporting spontaneity and flexibility," Dahlmeier told the German Press Agency in early 2024.

Olympic gold and early retirement

With two Olympic gold medals in Pyeongchang 2018 and a total of seven World Championship titles, Dahlmeier is the most successful German biathlete of the past decade. She made a particularly impressive mark at the 2017 World Championships in Hochfilzen, winning five gold medals and one silver medal in six starts. In the 2016/17 season, she also secured the overall World Cup title.

In May 2019, the Upper Bavarian unexpectedly ended her career as a competitive athlete at the age of 25. At the time, she stated that she no longer had any sporting goals as a biathlete. In addition to her mountaineering and climbing tours, Dahlmeier has also recently been active as a TV expert for ZDF.