Rescuers recover the bodies of an American climber and his guide from the slopes of Mount Shishapangma in the Chinese region of Tibet, more than seven months after they went missing while attempting to summit the world's 14th highest mountain. succeeded in doing so.
American mountaineer Anna Gutu, 33, and guide Mingmar Sherpa, 27, were buried by an avalanche while racing to make history around October 7, 2023. Gutu had hoped to become the first 14-year-old woman to reach the summit. Mountains over 8,000 meters (26,247 feet). Mount Shishapangma is 8,027 meters (26,335 feet) above sea level.
Climbing company Elite Exped said the climber's body was taken to Nepal's capital Kathmandu on Saturday after being recovered last week.
A team of nine mountaineers led by Nirmal Purja, popularly known as Nimsdai, brought back the body in a rescue operation that lasted three days and nights. Three of the rescue workers who took part in the mission fell ill. The two had to breathe oxygen before reaching the beginning of the glacier. One was then sent on another mission, to Mount Everest.
“We were able to climb Shishapangma and bring them down and across the border,” Nimsdai wrote to X, “and from there we took them to Kathmandu and then reunited them with their families.” said.
Nimsdai has climbed mountains over 8,000 meters 45 times, more than anyone else in history. He said the recovery mission was one of the most difficult he had ever undertaken.
Another American woman, Gina Marie Lucidolo, and guide Tenjen Lama were on Mt. Shishapangma at the same time as Gutu and Sherpa, trying to beat Gutu and set the record. Luzsidro and Lama tried hard to reach the top before their competitors, but were buried by another avalanche. Both died.
Rama, a well-known mountain guide who works with Norwegian mountaineer Kristin Halila, had already set a world record by climbing the 14 highest peaks in 92 days faster than anyone else.
Another expedition company, Seven Summit Treks, arranged for Mr. Rama to work with Mr. Luzsidro.
Efforts to bring back the bodies of Lucidro and Lama were postponed this spring after China refused permission for rescuers to enter Tibet. The bodies of the two men remain on the mountain. Rama's former climbing partner, Harila, was involved in efforts to bring Rama's body back to Nepal.
