Five Russian climbers found dead on Dhaulagiri

KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 8: Five mountain climbers who set out to ascend Dhaulagiri have tragically died. Rakesh Gurung, the director of the Tourism Department, reported that the climbers went missing at an altitude of approximately 8,000 meters at 11 PM on Sunday and were later found dead.

Director Gurung stated that the climbers had decided to return to the lower camp after concluding they could not proceed further once they reached around 8,000 meters. “They had informed their friends at the base camp about their decision to turn back,” Gurung explained. However, contact with them was lost after 11 PM.

Following a search operation conducted throughout the day on Monday, they were found lifeless on Tuesday morning. Gurung noted that they were experienced climbers from Russia who were well-regarded in the mountaineering community.

This year, 14 climbers attempted to summit Dhaulagiri. Two groups of seven climbers were engaged in the ascent. The department reported that six of them had abandoned the climb. Among the remaining eight, two reached the summit and returned to the base camp. Another climber turned back halfway through the ascent. Tragically, those who had set out with the determination to climb lost their lives.

Due to adverse weather conditions, they could not be brought down to the base camp, according to the department. This season, 14 Russian climbers obtained permits through IAM Trekking.