A massive avalanche has hit the base camp of Yalung Ri in Rolwaling, Nepal, leaving seven people dead, including three Americans, one Canadian, one Italian, and two Nepalese. Four others were injured.
The climbers were members of a guided group of 15 people, and they were at the start of the lower slopes of 5,630m Yalung Ri when the avalanche struck at around 9 am Nepal time today. The team’s actual goal was neighboring Dolma Khang (6,332m), police sources told The Kathmandu Post.
Several agencies that offer guided climbs to Dolma Khang usually lead their clients up Yalung Ri first, for acclimatization.
Yalung Ri lies in Rolwaling. Image: Google Maps
The peak lies near the Tibetan border, between two of the most impressive peaks of Rolwaling: Gauri Shankar and Beding Go.
Anxiety at lack of information
As of October 31, Nepal’s Department of Tourism issued only one climbing permit for Dolma Khang this year, for a party of two men and one woman. Social media lists one Dolma Khang expedition, comprising three foreign members (who required a climbing permit) and six Nepalese. The expedition leader was 17-time Everest summiter Phurba Tenjing Sherpa, and the climbing leader was Nima Gyalzen Sherpa. The foreigners were two Italian males and one French female.
Given the larger number of foreigners who reportedly perished, it is possible that the additional victims were trekkers or climbers who were acclimatizing on Yalung Ri in preparation to climb a different peak. While Dolma Khang requires a climbing permit, Yalung Ri only requires a general trekking permit for Rolwaling. We will try to clarify the confusing situation as soon as possible, as well as give information about the whereabouts of the other members of the party.
Delayed rescue
The alarm was raised immediately, but rescue helicopters were delayed due to administrative issues.
“There are flight restrictions in the Rolwaling region, which require special administrative clearance for helicopter movements,” The Kathmandu Post noted. “Even after securing permission, adverse weather caused further delay.”
