Drunk Tourist Climbs the Alps Instead of Walking to Hotel

Ain't no mountain high enough to keep this drunk tourist away.

That's what an Estonian tourist, known as Pavel, found out when he mistakenly hiked up the side of the Alps instead of back to his hotel. Pavel reportedly thought he was walking the path back to his hotel in Cervinia — a resort in Italy's Valle d'Aosta — when he took a wrong turn on the snow-covered street and instead of reaching his hotel lobby, he ended up climbing a ski run up the side of the mountain.

Italian newspaper La Stampa reported that the tourist most likely didn't realize he was heading up the mountain, even as the path took a steep turn upward. The tourist was wearing shoes, not skis, making the steep slope even harder to traverse. He continued up an even more steep run called the Ventina.

At some point between 2:00 and 3:00am, Pavel reached a chalet on the mountain, which included Igloo, a mountaintop bar and restaurant. The restaurant is located above Cervinia at an altitude of 2,400 meters (7,900 feet). The tourist broke into the restaurant — with only his personal effects and hotel key card — and sought shelter in the bar overnight. He was discovered by Igloo staff the next morning surrounded by two empty bottles of water — necessary hydration for his likely impending hangover and unexpected exertion.

Reports state that a search party of a fire brigade, police and drones had already been underway for the Estonian tourist when he was discovered. Local police said that Pavel will be fined for his surprise night of camping, but he will not be charged with a crime.

Pavel has yet to comment on the situation, which easily could have turned dire. Last week, three skiers were killed in the Swiss Alps after an avalanche hit their group.

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