Beijing Avalanches—— According to reports from Chinese media, American mountaineer Anna Gutu and Nepalese guide Mingmar Sherpa were verified dead on Sunday following avalanches that struck the slopes of a Tibetan mountain. Two other individuals remained unidentified.
According to the state-owned Xinhua News Agency, the avalanches struck Mount Shishapangma in Tibet on Saturday afternoon at 8,000 meters (approximately 26,000 feet) and 7,600 meters (approximately 25,000 feet).
According to the news agency, two additional individuals, Gina Marie Rzucidlo, an American climber, and Tenjen Sherpa, a Nepalese mountain guide, have vanished. In July of this year, Sherpa was one half of a pair that broke the record for the quickest ascent of fourteen mountains exceeding 8,000 meters (approximately 26,000 feet) in height. He desired to be the smallest climber to twice ascend all fourteen peaks.
American Mountaineer, Local Guide Dead After Avalanches Hit Tibetan Mountain. Two Others Are Missing
Karma Geljen Sherpa, a Nepalese mountain guide accompanied down the mountain by rescuers and presently in stable condition, sustained severe injuries due to the avalanches.
When they struck, 52 climbers from various countries, including the United States, Britain, Japan, and Italy, were attempting to reach the mountain’s summit, according to Xinhua.
Due to snow conditions, climbing activities on Shishapangma have been halted.
The fourteenth-tallest mountain globally, Shishapangma, is more than 8,027 meters (26,335 feet) above sea level.
After the monsoon season, October is a popular time to trek the Himalayas. However, experts have warned that climate change has increased the risk of them in the region.
At least 120 individuals have perished in avalanches in the Indian Himalayas in the last two years.
SOURCE – (AP)
