Israeli dies during a climbing accident in Hitler’s alpine fortress

The man, 30-year-old Adi Mas, was an accomplished marathon runner and Iron Man competitor.

Adi Mas, who died during a climbing accident in Germany  (photo credit: Courtesy)
Adi Mas, who died during a climbing accident in Germany
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Adi Mas from Kibbutz Ma’barot died on Friday during a climbing accident in the German Alps at the Nazi-era site known as “the Eagle’s Nest.” The building is on the summit of the Kehlstein subpeak near the town of Berchtesgaden, where German leader Adolf Hitler had a stronghold.
Eye-witnesses said the 30-year-old experienced hiker slipped and fell while climbing alone.
His death was published by German media, but his family in Israel only learned about it after calling a local police station when they hadn’t heard from him. At the time of writing, they are making arrangements for the remains to be flown to Israel for burial.
The family said they have no issues with the Foreign Ministry as the local German police was supposed to notify the Israeli Embassy when they realized an Israeli citizen had been killed.
Mas was a beloved and loving man, his in-law told Ynet. “He had the combination of traits every person aspires to: incredible mental and physical strength combined with caring, loving and being sensitive to all around him.”
In excellent physical health, Mas completed the Zurich Iron Man competition and many other marathons, was a vegetarian who loved animals, and spent a year teaching English in poor neighborhoods of Mexico and Brazil.