Finally, there is good news from Annapurna. Helicopters have rescued climbers Gianpaolo Corona and Tim Bogdanov from the mountain. Seven Summit Treks’ leader Chhang Dawa Sherpa confirmed the longline rescue on his social media.
Chhang Dawa Sherpa’s Instagram story
Contrary to previous reports published in the local press, which stated that Corona was fit and descending, rescuers picked him up from 7,500m in a longline aerial operation. Previously, rescuers had airlifted Bogdanov using the same method from 7,400m.
Speaking with The Himalayan Times, Seven Summit Treks chairman Mingma Sherpa repeated that Corona had refused an initial rescue yesterday when a search helicopter spotted him. We will get the climbers’ sides of the story once they have received treatment.
Chhang Dawa Sherpa’s Instagram story.
When rescued, both men were reportedly frostbitten but stable. From Base Camp, rescue services airlifted them directly to a hospital in Kathmandu.
Pilots flying to 7500m like it’s nothing.
These guys are tough.
One can today attempt an oft-repeated route on an 8000’er knowing in advance that if things go badly up high they’ll simply call for a helicopter, which has changed the entire dynamic of high altitude climbing. Show’s how much stronger physically and mentally climbers of past generations were compared to today.
These people just shouldn’t be there. They simply lack the skills required. How about doing a few serious, technically demanding routes in the European alps before embarking on an expedition to an 8000m+ peak. I doubt that any of these guys would be able to climb e.g. Walker spur on Grandes Jorasses or the North Couloir on P’tit Dru.
Paul Simon – utter nonsense . These two climbers CVs show they were both skilled and capable.
They got into trouble due to altitude problems which can cause frostbite, not lack of technical skills. Most of the normal route on Annapurna is fixed anyway, so your comment is irrelevant, a fishing expedition.
Bro I met 10 years ago tim bogdanov when he was starting and that guy has been climbing and doing expedition ever since then. He dedicated his life to mountaineering and he did previously 8000 mountains. He was climbing 6000s and then 7000s and just by the way you talk it looks like you are the one who needs to re consider things. I wish them the best and a quick and good recover. They summited without oxygen. They super human