Climbing
Five Russian climbers have been killed in a tragic accident on Mount Dhaulagiri, the world’s seventh-highest peak, located in Nepal. The climbers were part of an expedition attempting to scale the 26,788-foot (8,167-meter) mountain during the autumn climbing season.
The group had been reported missing since Sunday, October 6, when they departed from their high camp. A rescue helicopter spotted their bodies on Tuesday, October 8, at an altitude of approximately 23,294 feet (7,100 meters.) It is believed they slipped and fell to their deaths.
The deaths were confirmed by Pemba Jangbu Sherpa of the Kathmandu-based I AM Trekking and Expeditions. The victims are Alexander Dusheyko, Oleg Kruglov, Vladimir Chistikov, Mikhail Nosenko, and Dmitrii Shpilevoi.
Two members of the Russian expedition had successfully reached the summit, while the others had turned back before reaching the top. Radio contact with the team at base camp was lost shortly after their last communication.
A sixth member of the team, Valerii Shamalo, had abandoned the summit attempt earlier and was making his way down the mountain.
The recovery of the bodies presents significant challenges due to the extreme altitude and difficult terrain. Authorities have not yet determined if, when, or how the bodies will be retrieved, as such an operation would require extensive planning, manpower, and specialized equipment.
The accident occurred during Nepal’s autumn climbing season, which began last month. This period is less popular than the spring season, with lower permit fees and less crowded mountains.
Mount Dhaulagiri, first scaled in 1960 by a Swiss-Austrian team, has since been climbed by hundreds of people. Nepal, home to eight of the world’s 14 highest peaks, generates significant revenue from mountain tourism.
