Hidesuke Taneishi and Tetsu Hashimoto of Japan are missing on unclimbed Gangapurna West in Nepal’s Annapurna region.
The Japanese pair headed to the 7,140m peak in September, and we heard no further news of them. After a major storm hit Nepal’s mountains three weeks ago, we presumed they had retreated. But now it seems they did not. They have been out of touch since October 15, Japanese media reports.
Hidesuke Taneishi, left, and Tetsu Hashimoto, right, with a support team member in Kathmandu earlier this week. Photo: Cosmo Adventure
The Russian team that reached the mountain earlier this month reportedly found no sign of the Japanese climbers on the peak. Bad weather forced the Russians down from their summit attempt at 6,800m.
A helicopter search-and-rescue operation is now underway, Manang Chief District Officer Mukti Prasad Khanal has confirmed. However, the difficult terrain and deteriorating conditions making the search challenging.
Gangapurna West is also known as Asapurna or Peak Lachenal.
