Ávila, Spain – Two skiers from Madrid were rescued during a fierce snow and wind storm in Ávila this weekend.

The Mountain Rescue and Intervention Group (Greim) of the Civil Guard of El Barco de Ávila sprang into action early Sunday. They assisted the skiers, who had lost their way on the Camino de los Barrerones in Navalperal de Tormes, part of the Sierra de Gredos.

The Civil Guard got an alert at 9:00 p.m. on Saturday via Apple’s SOS system. It reported the two skiers missing in the Los Barrerones area. The El Barco de Ávila Greim and the Civil Guard’s Air Service were quickly mobilized.

The rescue took place under brutal conditions. Deep snow, biting cold, strong winds, and poor visibility challenged the team, according to a Civil Guard statement.

Still, Greim found the skiers by 12:15 a.m. The pair was very cold, and one had knee pain, but neither needed a doctor.

The skiers had been cross-country skiing when a ski binding broke. Forced to walk, their progress slowed. Though equipped with GPS, their phone batteries died, leaving them disoriented.

The Civil Guard lauded Greim’s skill, calling it a testament to their readiness for tough mountain rescues.

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