Rescuers reached Sergey Mironov and Mikhail Mironov this morning on Gasherbrum IV and have helped them down to Advanced Base Camp at 6,100m. From here, it is possible to airlift them out. The injured Russian pair have been stranded since the serac collapse that killed their climbing partner, Sergey Nilov.
Evgeny Yablokov — another survivor of the serac fall, who escaped injury — and two Pakistani climbers reached the two Russians earlier today, despite constant snowfall and low visibility. Everyone then proceeded slowly down and reached Advanced Base Camp at around 3 pm Pakistan time today. Four other Pakistani rescuers airlifted to the mountain were waiting in Advanced Base Camp.
Feeling better
“Both climbers have come out of shock and feel better,” Irina Morozova of the Russian Federation of Alpinism told ExplorersWeb. “Mikhail is walking on his own and in good condition. Sergey was administered painkillers. He can also move on his own with the support of the rescuers.”
From ABC, they may be evacuated by helicopter. “The helicopter is ready to fly out for them,” Morozova said. “They are currently monitoring the weather. If they can’t fly out today, they will fly out tomorrow morning.”
The rescuers couldn’t find Sergey Nilov, who was directly hit by the falling serac and is presumed dead. Helicopter pilots reportedly saw his body during a reconnaissance flight on Sunday, but there are no photos or a confirmed location. In today’s blizzard, rescuers couldn’t find a trace of him.
