Bodies of five climbers rmain on Dhaulagiri Peak

MYAGDI, OCTOBER 14: The bodies of five Russian climbers who perished during an expedition on Dhaulagiri peak are yet to be retrieved.

Bharat Shrestha, deputy superintendent of police at the district police office in Myagdi, said the climbers' remains are located at an altitude of 7,100 meters, where recovery efforts have been hampered by harsh weather conditions and treacherous terrain.

The challenging site makes helicopter landing impossible and inaccessible on foot. Attempts to retrieve the bodies by helicopter on October 9, 10, and 11 were unsuccessful. Additionally, dense fog on Sunday (October 13) obstructed visibility, preventing further aerial recovery efforts.

The climbers spent a night at the base camp before starting their ascent. They lost contact with authorities on October 7 at 11:00 AM, while at an altitude of 7,600 meters on the 8,167-meter peak. Their deaths were confirmed on October 9.

The expedition, organized by IAM Trekking & Expedition, included 14 climbers, but nine abandoned the attempt midway.

Dhaulagiri, the world’s seventh-highest peak, lies in Dhawalagiri Municipality-14. According to the Department of Tourism, only 14 climbers were granted permits to attempt the ascent this autumn season.