The Piccard Memorial, which was erected in 1989, reminds of the emergency landing of Professor Auguste Piccard at the Gurgler Ferner glacier on 27 May 1931. The news of his rescue was published in newspapers all over the world. A festschrift is available at the Obergurgl-Hochgurgl tourist information office.
The world was amazed when Professor Auguste Piccard made his legendary stratosphere record.
With the exception of the inhabitants of Gurgl. They always knew that their village was the ideal place for high achievers. With the rough landing of the famous Swiss physicist the small village at the end of the Ötztal valley made headlines for the first time some 70 years ago: Professor Auguste Piccard had to make an emergency landing with his stratosphere balloon on the Gurgler Ferner glacier on 27 May 1931. The sleepy village of Obergurgl was suddenly known as the world public was informed on the fortunate landing. Suddenly the small village of Obergurgl with its 14 farms was popular.
"5.50pm: We have only oxygen for four hours left in our balloon gas cylinder."
"6.08pm: Inexplicably the balloon is not going down."
Two men were caught in the air at an altitude of 4000m and they feared for their lives. They did not know where they were and where their balloon would bring them. What a relief for the scientists when they roughly took down somewhere in the high mountain region at 9.00pm.
On 27 May 1931 Professor Auguste Piccard and his assistant Ing. Paul Kipfer start a scientific high-altitude flight in Augsburg. They are the first persons to reach the stratosphere at 16,000m of altitude in a balloon. Because of technical problems with the valve line the two scientists land at the Gurgler Ferner glacier in the Ötztal Alps by chance. Because of this event, which was in the news all over the world, this sleepy mountain village became known internationally. Auguste Piccard wrote in his logbook after his fortunate landing: "Nice, unknown high Alpine area, basket and balloon are on a glacier".
Further information about Obergurgl-Hochgurgl you'll find on www.obergurgl.com
Ötztal Card. The experience card. one valley, one card ....
windy
