Yalung Ri Avalanche: Bodies of Five Climbers Found After Nine Months; Why Were They Retrieved Amid Adverse Weather?
Image source, Reuters/Mingma Sherpa
The bodies of five climbers and Sherpa guides who went missing in an avalanche on Yalung Ri mountain in Dolakha since last year’s Kartik have been recovered last Sunday after they surfaced due to melting snow, according to rescuers and officials.
A group of climbers and helicopter rescuers informed that the bodies were recovered from near the summit of the mountain, which is identified as a ‘trekking peak.’ They stated the bodies were transported to Na village in Dolakha district.
“Although hope for life was lost, the search for the bodies never stopped over the months. After repeated attempts, families can finally have the remains,” said Fuwa Tenzing Sherpa, a climber involved in the rescue, speaking from Na village.
“Some local residents reported possible sightings of the bodies toward the end of last week, but unfavorable weather conditions delayed access to the site. On Sunday morning, a brief window of clear weather allowed a quick operation to bring the bodies down,” he added.
Since the monsoon season is ongoing, the recovery team assessed that the bodies could be lost again under fresh snow or further avalanches, making the operation hazardous but necessary.
Among the missing were two Nepali nationals and three foreign citizens. The district police spokesperson said the recovered bodies include two Nepali guides and three climbers from Germany, Italy, and Canada.
“All bodies are in a condition that allows for identification,” stated police inspector Santosh Kumar Khadka. “With this, all victims of the tragedy have been accounted for.”
Bodies Appear Rarely As Snow Melts
Image source, MINGMA SHERPA
Following the avalanche that struck Rolwaling Valley about nine months ago, the bodies of two Italian and French climbers were found, but others remained missing.
They had been at Yalung Ri preparing for an ascent of Dolma Khang mountain, which stands at 6,332 meters, prior to their main climb.
French climber Isabelle Tau, who survived the avalanche that swept her about 300 meters downhill near Kaleko Mukha, described it as feeling like she was lucky to survive despite being caught in the massive slide.
“Although it is considered a smaller mountain, since last year it has been difficult or impossible to reach, with no signals or traces found,” Fuwa Tenzing Sherpa remarked.
“Historically, incidents involving avalanches that show no recovered bodies are known. Finding all bodies within a year is indeed a rare event.”
Inspector Khadka noted that finding the bodies despite the earlier inability to track missing climbers by their equipment should be considered a significant success.
“Some parts of the bodies became visible as snow melted, prompting urgent retrieval. Once the weather cleared, they will be flown to Kathmandu and handed over to families,” Khadka added.
Authorities also reported a body found last spring near the Khumbu Icefall, close to the Everest Base Camp.
Search Efforts Were Never Halted
Fuwa Tenzing Sherpa, who also manages expedition operations, stated that since Kartik last year, they and the victims’ families have periodically conducted searches, hoping to find the bodies.
“Once we received information indicating possible sightings of bodies this time, we tried to go but were hindered by adverse weather. On Sunday morning, when there was just over an hour of good weather, we made 7–8 helicopter flights to seize our opportunity,” Fuwa Tenzing shared.
“Due to the rainy season, fresh snowfall could have buried the bodies again, and avalanches frequently occur, possibly moving the remains from where they appeared. That’s why we did not delay. Even at the roughly 5,000-metre altitude where the bodies were recovered, we had to wear crampons to reach the site.”
On early Sunday, a team led by Fuwa comprised helicopter Everest pilots Priya Adhikari and Pastenzi Sherpa, rescuer Baburam Thakuri, and Nepal Police officer Jayashwar Patel reached the site.
“Despite challenging weather, the rescue was completed in a very short time. For that reason, a helicopter was stationed in Kalche, Dolakha, since Saturday. All tasks were finished between early dawn and 8 AM,” Patel stated.
He mentioned that families have been informed and some relatives have arrived in Nepal from abroad.
“Since this incident is recent and memories of the ascent and photographs are fresh, identifying the bodies using their clothing and gear was straightforward,” Fuwa Tenzing said.
“Thanks to the brave helicopter pilots, we were able to move quickly moving the bodies to the ground. Otherwise, the weather was deteriorating since three days ago, and it became impossible to return to Kathmandu once the weather worsened while transporting the bodies to Na village.”
A week-long search operation shortly after the tragedy in Kartik last year could not locate the bodies, but expedition operators report repeated attempts in Jestha, hoping to find remains.
This deadly accident occurred last year during autumn on a trekking peak that requires minimal technical climbing skills and generally benefits from relatively stable weather in Nepal.
Reporter: Ramesh Rai