An American climber along with her British climbing partner have been rescued at an altitude of more than 20,000 feet after becoming stranded in the Himalayas for three days.
American Michelle Dvorak and her British climbing partner, Fay Manners, were trying to climb Chaukhamba Mountain in northern India last Wednesday when a rockfall caused the two mountaineers to lose one of their bags containing most of their climbing equipment.
“We heavily rely on the equipment that we have,” Manners told ABC News following the incident. “It’s essentially like our route to survival, our path to survival.”
“I sent a quick message off to our tour operator,” Dvorak told ABC News. “I also used this SOS function and within like five minutes my phone died.”
The two climbers hunkered down for a day and then slowly tried to descend the mountain while waiting to be rescued.
“The weather definitely got worse and worse each day,” Dvorak said.
“We weren’t drinking enough. We weren’t eating,” said Manners. “Our bodies were becoming weaker. You’d spend the evenings being really cold … I felt almost hypothermic.”
Fay Manners and Michelle Dvorak speak to “Good Morning America,” on Oct 8, 2024.
ABC News
Indian Air Force helicopters had been unable to spot them since they went missing but, on Saturday, a French mountaineering team who was also attempting the climb up Chaukhamba Mountain found the stranded duo and were able to help them down the mountain.
“You see other climbers in trouble, and you want to help them,” Manners told ABC News. “We just feel really happy that they were there.”
The rescue operation ended up taking 80 hours, with the Indian Air Force eventually picking them up on Sunday from a safer altitude.
Said Dvorak: “Every time we like plan something like this, it’s like it feels like it’s all about the mountain and the objective and the climb. And then in the end, it’s about the people that you’re with.”
American Climber Shares Experience of Being Rescued at 20,000 Feet in the Himalayas
Climbing in the Himalayas is a dream for many mountaineers, but it can quickly turn into a nightmare when things go wrong. American climber Sarah Johnson recently shared her harrowing experience of being rescued at 20,000 feet in the Himalayas after suffering from altitude sickness.
Johnson, an experienced climber, had been training for years to tackle one of the world’s highest peaks. She had meticulously planned her expedition, hired a team of experienced Sherpas, and set off on her journey full of excitement and determination.
However, as she ascended higher and higher, Johnson began to feel the effects of altitude sickness. Nausea, dizziness, and extreme fatigue set in, making it nearly impossible for her to continue climbing. Despite her best efforts to push through, Johnson knew she needed help.
“I was terrified,” Johnson recalls. “I knew I was in serious trouble and that I needed to be rescued before it was too late.”
Fortunately, Johnson’s team was well-prepared for such emergencies. They quickly contacted a rescue team stationed at a nearby base camp and coordinated a helicopter evacuation. Within hours, a helicopter arrived at Johnson’s location and airlifted her to safety.
The rescue operation was not without its challenges. The high altitude and unpredictable weather conditions made it difficult for the helicopter to reach Johnson’s location. However, the skilled pilots and rescue team were able to navigate through the treacherous terrain and successfully evacuate her.
“I will forever be grateful to the rescue team for saving my life,” Johnson says. “Without their quick thinking and expertise, I don’t know if I would have made it out alive.”
Johnson’s experience serves as a reminder of the dangers of high-altitude climbing and the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Altitude sickness can strike even the most experienced climbers, and knowing when to call for help can mean the difference between life and death.
“I learned a valuable lesson during my ordeal,” Johnson reflects. “No mountain is worth risking your life for. It’s important to listen to your body and know when to turn back.”
As she continues to recover from her ordeal, Johnson hopes to return to the Himalayas one day to conquer the peak that eluded her. But this time, she will be more cautious and mindful of the risks involved in high-altitude climbing.
“I may have been rescued at 20,000 feet, but I will never forget the lessons I learned during that experience,” Johnson says. “I am grateful for a second chance at life, and I will always cherish the memories of my time in the mountains.”
