Spring 2015 | Trouble on Annapurna!

Not everything seems alright on Annapurna, as Base Camps talks about arranging a rescue mission for yesterday's summiteers. However, no further details about the cause and dimension of trouble on the mountain are available as of now. Recall that 13 climbers had reached Annapurna's summit at around 02:45pm local time, yesterday.

Image source

Australian/New Zealander Chris Jensen Burke wrote from Base Camp just a while ago, “A rescue initiative is being launched for some of yesterday's (24th March) summit team with Dreamers. Lakpa and I are too low to reach the members but Lakpa has been in contact with the company several times and they are hoping the weather will hold for a heli evac. Wishing a safe descent for all involved.

She further mentions that “at 2.10pm Nepal time, Dreamers have advised that a heli evac is no longer required suggesting that all are well enough to descend on their own, though sadly there are two unconfirmed fatalities.

Chris Burke, Lakpa Sherpa and team of Spaniard Carlos Soria were expected to leave BC today for a possible summit day on May 29th. However, they may have delayed the summit push due to rescue efforts.

Update-1 / 25-03-15 : 06:45pm Nepal Time
Multiple news sources (abcNews, Chron etc.) are confirming two casualties on the mountain. The information comes from Mountaineering Department official Gyanendra Shrestha. "Attempts were being made to bring the bodies of Samuli Mansikka, 36, and Pemba Sherpa, 35, back to the base camp from the 7,000-meter (22,290-foot) point where they were found," Nepalese official was quoted.

Update-2 / 25-03-15 : 07:45pm Nepal Time
A message from Samuli Mansikka's family confirms the departure of Finnish climber. "Samuli Mansikka on Wednesday afternoon, according to information received, died due to a fall while descending after successful Annapurna summit."

Rest in peace, dear friend. (See update-3)

Update-3 / 25-03-15 : 09:30pm Nepal Time
There seems to be some new development on the mountain. "According to the newest information Samuli is missing. Additional information will be given later on through his website." tweets Samuli Mansikka's family who previous informed about Finnish climber's demise. "There are so far a lot of confusion."

Hope dies last and in the mountain, we have already witnessed 'dead men' walking to Base Camps after defying all odds. Let's keep our fingers crossed for safe return of Samuli and Pemba.

Update-4 / 26-03-15 08:00am Nepal Time
Iranian climber Reza Shahlaee messaged ‘koohnevesht’ about his safety and wellbeing at around 1600hrs, yesterday. He said that they were back in C4 (7000m) after spending a night at 7400m and will be returning to Base Camp, soon.

Meanwhile, Nepalese Tourism Ministry released a press statement confirming the unfortunate loss of Samuli Mansikka and Pemba Sherpa. Report says that they went missing at around 7100m on March 24th and their bodies have been recovered (or found) from 7000m, yesterday (March 25th).


Press release from Department of Tourism (click to enlarge)

Update-5 / 26-03-15 04:30pm Nepal Time
Temba Tsheri Sherpa, Managing Director at Dreamers Destination Treks and Expeditions, has just updated about current status on the mountain through a Facebook post. "Remaining team members are still descending down. They will not able to reach base camp today. Hopefully they will spend one more night in camp I and descend to base camp tomorrow. They are psychically and mentally down. God please give them power to over come."

Fingers crossed for safety of everyone. Strength to family and friends of deceased climbers.

Update-6 / 26-03-15 11:55pm Nepal Time
Another update from Temba Tsheri Sherpa: Climbers have finally started reaching Base Camp.

"Just got a call from Nima Gyalzen Sherpa at Annapurna BC now. He told me that he has just reached BC with three Chinese (Zhang Liang, Liu Honszhong, Hong Jing Doeg). Mingma G. Sherpa, Anggeli Sherpa, Zdravko Dejanovic and Reza Shahlaee are also about to reach BC. Muharrem Aydin Irmak  and Gimaongchu Sherpa stayed at C2. They will be descending early morning, tomorrow. Nima will go up again to clean up the camps."

Meanwhile, Carlos Soria has also retreated from C1 to BC as weather deteriorates. He climbed to C1 yesterday, hoping for a summit push on March 29th.

Post will be updated as further information reaches us.
Powered by Blogger.