Two Indian climbers, Tapi Mra and Niku Dao, have been missing for more than a week in northern India. They had set out to climb 6,900m Khyarw Satam, the highest peak in the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
The two climbers lost touch with the other six members of the expedition on August 17. The rest of the party turned back to Seppa, the administrative centre of the East Kameng District, in Arunachal Pradesh.
Khyarw Satam is isolated and difficult to access. Trekking to its base camp at 5,000m requires bushwhacking through a dense forest and over difficult terrain for six to seven days. The mountain lies close to the Chinese border.
Kameng River. Photo: Britannica
Indian Army helicopters are already in the region, waiting for better weather to start an aerial search for the missing mountaineers.
Everest summiters Tame Bagang and Tagit Sorang, together with mountaineer Taru Hau, will be among those supporting the rescue operation on the ground. They are already on the move. According to Aruchanal Today, at least 34 army personnel and 60 porters are also involved in the search.
Tapi Mra, 37, belongs to the Tagin ethnic group and was the first person from Arunachal Pradesh to climb Mount Everest, in 2009. Mra had also climbed trekking objectives Mera Peak and Island Peak, as well as Mounts Kilimanjaro in Africa and Kosciuszko in Australia. Local media reports that Mra’s companion, Niku Dao, is from the Puroik culture.
The ground team has already begun to search. Frame from a video by APN Live24
Khyarw Satam has been an obsession for Mra. He has been attempting to climb it for the last seven years.
Volunteers meet before the search. Photo: Aruchanal Today
