How Much Are They Trying to Take? Thieves Who Rob Donation Boxes After Climbing 2400m in the Alps

Using Equipment to Smash Donation Boxes and Steal 600,000 Won
Climbing Club: "Thieves Are Experienced Mountaineers"

A donation box installed on the Daubenhorn cliff, considered the most dangerous climbing route in Switzerland, was robbed. The thieves who stole from this box are presumed to be mountaineers equipped with professional climbing gear.

According to the British daily The Telegraph on the 27th (local time), the theft occurred at a point about 8,000 feet (approximately 2,400 meters) above sea level, below the Daubenhorn peak in Switzerland (about 2,900 m). The thieves reached the donation box by using steel ladders and cables attached to the rock face and took 400 to 500 Swiss francs (about 400 pounds, approximately 667,000 won) that were inside the box.

Donation box stolen on a hiking trail in Switzerland
[Image source: Capture from Leukerbad Facebook]

This donation box was installed by the "Leukerbad Climbing Club" to collect maintenance fees for the rocky climbing route, and a club sign attached above the box read, "Your donations are used for all of us."

The route the thieves took is designated as a K5 grade "via ferrata." Via ferrata, meaning "iron path" in Italian, refers to climbing routes equipped with fixed cables, iron steps, bridges, ladders, and other artificial structures on steep rock faces. Among these, K5 is an extremely difficult course requiring considerable physical strength, suitable for those who have been climbing continuously.

Patrick Grichting, a board member of the Leukerbad Climbing Club, said, "The thieves are experienced mountaineers who know this area well," adding, "It seems they prepared powerful tools capable of mercilessly breaking the donation box." In fact, the stolen donation box was found with its front door severely dented and open. In an interview with the German dpa news agency, he explained, "They are not ordinary climbers," and "The donation box is heavy and cannot be opened with just a screwdriver."

The damaged donation box is located in front of a meadow where climbers rest after ascending a sheer cliff of about 3,000 feet (approximately 910 m), and during peak season, about 50 people visit this spot daily. Therefore, Director Grichting speculated that the thieves likely climbed up during early morning or evening hours when fewer people were around.

The Leukerbad Climbing Club believes the thieves continued climbing to the summit of Daubenhorn peak even after stealing the money. Regarding this, Director Grichting emphasized, "I could never carry someone else's money in my backpack while climbing," and added, "We must have morality wherever we are."

Daubenhorn Cliff Hiking Trail in Switzerland
[Image source=Captured from Leukerbad Facebook]

The Telegraph reported that this place has been accessible only to very skilled climbers even after cables and iron ladders were installed in 2015, and this theft shocked the climbing community.

In a post on Facebook, the Leukerbad Club asked, "Who on earth are these people?" and condemned the act as "a serious insult that shows no respect for climbers." The club continued, "We take care of the via ferrata without any compensation and ask for nothing," expressing indignation that "yet the thieves not only failed to donate money needed for maintaining and repairing the climbing route but also stole money donated by others." They added, "We do not wish bad things to happen to the thieves, but we hope they feel guilty every time they climb the mountain from now on."

Patrick Hannon, a local businessman and climber, comforted the club by saying, "Only a very small number of people committed this act, and the rest sincerely appreciate what you do, so do not be too discouraged." He also donated 500 Swiss francs to the club, saying, "I am glad to contribute money to cover the loss."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.