2023-10-08 09:08:02
BEIJING (AP) — American mountaineer Anna Gutu and Nepalese guide Mingmar Sherpa died following snow avalanches on the slopes of a Tibetan mountain, Chinese media reported Sunday. Two other people were still missing.
The avalanches occurred Saturday followingnoon on Tibet’s Mount Shishapangma at 7,600 and 8,000 meters (24,934 and 26,246 feet) high, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Two other people, American climber Gina Marie Rzucidlo and mountain guide Tenjen Sherpa, were missing, the agency added.
The avalanches also caused serious injuries to guide Karma Geljen Sherpa, who was accompanied down the mountain by rescuers and was in stable condition.
A total of 52 mountaineers from various countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan and Italy, were trying to reach the summit when the avalanches occurred, according to Xinhua.
The climbs were later suspended due to snow conditions.
Shishapangma is the 14th highest mountain in the world, standing 8,027 meters (26,335 ft) above sea level.
October is a popular month for climbing the Himalayas once the monsoon season has passed, but experts have warned that climate change has increased the risk of avalanches in the region.
At least 120 people have died in the last two years in avalanches in the Indian Himalayas.
1696756647
#American #mountaineer #local #guide #die #avalanche #Tibet #missing
