Tent buried in the Himalayas: Rescuers search for missing group of climbers
A search and rescue operation has been launched in the Indian Himalayas in the state of Uttarakhand after an avalanche engulfed a group of climbers in the Kedarnath region. The seven climbers and their guide set out on a three-day climb on October 27, but two days later, heavy snowfall triggered an avalanche, after which contact with them was completely lost.
A team of ten rescuers has been sent to the search area in Uttarkashi district. After examining the area within a radius of 2-3 kilometers, specialists found a tent, warm clothes, shoes and provisions buried under the snow, but the missing persons themselves have not been found. The work is significantly complicated by almost zero visibility, prolonged rainfall and the risk of repeated avalanches.
Earlier, assistance was provided to other members of the group: rescuers managed to safely evacuate three porters and a cook. For safety reasons, high-altitude routes above 4,000 meters were closed throughout the region due to the bad weather.
Source: Hopes are fading for 8 climbers caught under an avalanche in the Himalayas - Haberler.com
Context
Kedartal is a high-altitude glacial lake located at an altitude of over 4,700 meters within the Gangotri National Park in the Garhwal region. The route to it begins from the village of Gangotri and is considered technically difficult due to steep rocky climbs along the Kedar Ganga gorge and rocky screes on the approaches to the Talai Sagar and Bhrigupant peaks.
The national park administration and the forest department require mandatory permits to access routes above 4,000 meters in this sector. In the off-season at the end of October, weather conditions here deteriorate rapidly: heavy snowfall blocks the passes, and the danger of avalanches increases significantly in the areas between the Bhojkharak and Kedarkharak campsites.