Ludwig “Wiggerl” Gramminger (11 June 1906 – 28 August 1997) was a German alpinist and a pioneering figure in modern mountain‑rescue techniques. Born and deceased in Munich, he began his involvement with rescue work in 1925 when he joined the Alpine mountain‑rescue service (Bergwacht).
Gramminger’s contributions to rescue practice include the development of the stretch‑rail (stretcher) system for transporting injured climbers on steep terrain and the introduction of steel‑rope lowering methods that allowed rescuers to descend safely to a victim’s location. A specialised harness known as the “Gramminger seat” bears his name in recognition of these innovations.
One of the most publicised applications of his techniques occurred during the 1957 rescue of Italian climber Claudio Corti from the north face of the Eiger, where Gramminger’s methods were credited with facilitating a successful recovery.
In addition to his technical achievements, Gramminger received several honors, among them the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for his services to mountain rescue and sport. He died in Munich at the age of 91, leaving a lasting legacy in Alpine safety and rescue operations.