Watch This Explorer Hike 3,400m in the Swiss Alps Overnight to See a WWII DC-3 Crash

A Hidden Story in the Mountains

In the remote Swiss Alps, a tragic aircraft crash happened 80 years ago. An American military DC-3 transport plane hit the mountainside but miraculously, all passengers survived. The icy glacier buried the wreck for decades. Over time, melting ice began revealing parts of the aircraft again.

A modern-day explorer set out in November to visit the crash site. He began his hike in the steep and narrow Ubach Valley, surrounded by bare rock and autumn colors. Since daylight was short, he moved quickly to reach the higher trails before nightfall.

Climbing Through Cold and Silence

He hiked for hours through freezing temperatures. The trail passed rocky slopes, cold streams, and mountain lakes. At one point, he reached a fork and had to choose between a direct route or one that passed scenic lakes and waterfalls. Hoping for sunlight, he skipped breakfast and kept climbing.

After reaching the first lake, he rested, ate soup, and watched Swiss fighter jets overhead. He soon got back on the trail, even though he had accidentally gone off the planned route. He pushed on through icy streams and slippery rocks.

Camping Before the Final Climb

As darkness fell, he set up camp on a flat area, knowing he couldn’t finish before night. The next morning, at 5 a.m., he packed up and continued toward the glacier, hoping to spot parts of the plane.

The explorer reached the memorial near the crash site. The 1946 rescue became famous. Swiss army pilots flew light aircraft directly onto the glacier to save the Americans. It was one of the earliest air rescues of its kind. Over the years, pieces of the wreck were recovered, but some—like an engine—still remain buried in the ice. The explorer found signs of debris and what looked like an oil trail near the glacier.

Keep going for the video below: