American mountaineer, local guide dead after avalanches hit Tibetan mountain; two others are missing

October is a popular time to trek the Himalayas as it's after the rainy monsoon season, but experts have cautioned that climate change has increased the risk of avalanches in the region.

tibetan mountain, american mountaineer, indiane express

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Mount Shishapangma is seen from Baiku Lake in Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region on Sept. 2, 2023. (AP Photo)

Listen to this article

00:00

1x 1.5x 1.8x

American mountaineer Anna Gutu and a Nepalese guide Mingmar Sherpa were confirmed dead on Sunday after avalanches struck the slopes of a Tibetan mountain, while two others remained missing, according to Chinese media reports.

The avalanches struck Tibet’s Mount Shishapangma on Saturday afternoon at 7,600 (24,934 ft) and 8,000 metres (26,246 ft) in altitude, according to state-owned Xinhua News Agency.

Two others, American climber Gina Marie Rzucidlo and a Nepalese mountain guide Tenjen Sherpa went missing, the news agency said.

Story continues below this ad

The avalanches also seriously injured Nepalese mountain guide Karma Geljen Sherpa, who was escorted down the mountain by rescuers and is currently in stable condition.

A total of 52 climbers from various countries including the US, Britain, Japan, and Italy were attempting to summit the mountain when the avalanches hit, Xinhua said.

tenjen sherpa, mountaineers missing, indian express

Nepal’s sherpa guide Tenjen Sherpa is reported missing after avalanches struck Tibet’s Mount Shishapangma on Saturday afternoon. (AP Photo)

Climbing activities have since been suspended due to snow conditions.

Shishapangma is the 14th-highest mountain in the world, at over 8,027 metres (26,335 ft) above sea level.

Story continues below this ad

October is a popular time to trek the Himalayas as it’s after the rainy monsoon season, but experts have cautioned that climate change has increased the risk of avalanches in the region.

At least 120 people in the Indian Himalayas were killed by avalanches over the past two years.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:
mountaineer

‘Grave insult to wounded people’: Cong lashes out at PM Modi amid his first Manipur visit

India7 hr ago

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Manipur for the first time since ethnic violence hit the state in May 2023, the Congress on Saturday called it a “farce, tokenism, and a grave insult to a wounded people”.

View all shorts

Live Blog