Two missing sherpas, climbers blocked in camp 3 »Explorersweb

Bad news on Annapurna: an avalanche struck Rima Rinje Sherpa and Ngima Tashi Sherpa this morning while working between Camp 2 and Camp 3, the most dangerous section of the mountain. The two sherpas are missing. A research and rescue helicopter flew to the mountains, and some staff members are on the basis of the base camp to help research.

The missing men were born in the Khumbu valley and work for seven hikes at the top. The provider based in Kathmandu pointed out the team’s summits in the morning, but made no mention of the accident at the time. Late in the evening, Annapurna’s head of the expedition, Chhang Dawa Sherpa, shared some details and a video of the avalanche, shot by the Roman novelist of Brazil. Fortunately, Romancini was further from the mountain when the avalanche struck.

Look for

The avalanche took place at 5,600 m at noon, when the Sherpas transported oxygen cylinders for the summit climbers.

“Ngima Tashi and Rima Rinje were swept away,” said Chhang Dawa. “Pemba Thenduk, who was also caught in the avalanche, managed to stand and immediately started looking for them.”

At least four other sherpas in the region immediately ran on the spot and searched for the missing pair, without success.

Chhang Dawa also reported that the helicopter had sought Ngima and Rima until nightfall, without success. He ordered another helicopter with a research team on board to come back tomorrow. Although the chances of finding the living couple are poor, “I don’t lose hope,” said Chhang Dawa.

Romancini, which climbed with seven hikes at the top, turned a few hours after sparking the rest of the camp 3 team yesterday. He returned to camp 3 for the night and went down earlier today. It was a pure chance that he passed the dangerous section between Camp 3 and Camp 2 before the avalanche strikes. He spoke in Portuguese of the traumatic experience when he returned to the base camp and heard of the tragedy:

A long descent in front

The accident caused additional problems for the large number of climbers at the top of the mountain.

“The route between Camp 2 and Camp 3 is extremely disturbed by this avalanche,” admitted Chhang Dawa. “We will do our best to repair the line by tomorrow.”

There is little information on the place where the other climbers were found earlier this morning, although Lakpa Sherpa of 8k expeditions confirmed that his team was back in camp 3 for the night. Lakpa told Explorersweb that he felt confident to be able to continue to base the camp tomorrow.

Updates are expected tomorrow by teams with climbers on the mountain. The climbers themselves will add details once back in the base camp.

Goodbye to Annapurna

Mingma G managed to put her team on top, but said goodbye to the mountains forever. The Himalayan veteran guide feared a deadly avalanche between Camp 2 and Camp 3, and now another has struck this dangerous area.

“This year was the most difficult on Annapurna compared to my previous expeditions (due) of dry conditions, more crevices and suspended seas,” he wrote.

It was enough for him. “Today, I made my last farewell to this beautiful mountain,” he wrote. “I will not direct any shipping here in the future. This mountain is simply too risky. Annapurna’s beauty has always attracted me, but I can’t risk my life anymore. ”