THAI ALTITUDE: Rescuers Save Thai Monks In Temple Robes From 9,000ft Mountain

Two Thai monks who went hiking up a 3,000-metre-high mountain in just snowshoes and traditional robes had to be rescued suffering from exhaustion and cold.

Mountain rescue experts in Aosta Valley, Italy, rushed to an emergency call on the Monte Rosa range on 19th December.

But they were astonished when they found the two monks soaked to the skin as they struggled to walk on as temperatures plunged after sunset.

The Italian rescuers said that their monk robes had quickly become soaking wet, making the situation even more serious for the two men.

A Thai monk in snowshoes and traditional clothes walks with rescuer on Monte Rosa, Italy, on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022. Two Thai monks were rescued when stranded 2800-3000 metres above sea level, unable to continue due to tiredness, darkness and very low temperatures. (SAV/CEN)

The pair had tried to cross over the snow-covered Colle della Bettolina Superiore area of the Monte Rosa range in the eastern part of the Pennine Alps.

Despite being physically fit, the monks were too exhausted to go on.

The mountain rescue team managed to get close using snowcats and then continued on foot down a steep incline in order to reach the pair.

They then provided them with warm clothing and helped them down into the safety of the valley.

They were handed over to medics for a check-up, reported local media, but no further information was available.

A Thai monk in snowshoes and traditional clothes walks with rescuer on Monte Rosa, Italy, on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022. Two Thai monks were rescued when stranded 2800-3000 metres above sea level, unable to continue due to tiredness, darkness and very low temperatures. (SAV/CEN)

It is unclear if they must now pay a fine to cover the cost of the rescue operation after failing to prepare properly when tackling the difficult terrain.