14 Sherpas leave for Mt Makalu to recover bodies of Indian climbers

KATHMANDU: A team of 14 climbing Sherpas today left for the high camp of the world’s fifth highest mountain to carry out a search and recovery operation, according to the expedition organiser.

A team led by Chhang Dawa Sherpa, Director at the Seven Summit Treks, along with a renowned high-altitude climber Mingma David Sherpa and other members has left for the base camp of Mt Makalu to recover the bodies of Narayan Singh and Dipankar Ghos from above Camp IV, Mingma Sherpa, Company Chairman at Seven Summit Treks, told THT.

Narayan Singh, a member of the maiden Indian Army expedition to Mt Makalu breathed his last at the height of 8,200 metres when he, along with other members, was descending from the summit point on Thursday.

Likewise, Dipankar Ghos from Kolkata, India went missing above Camp IV of the world’s fifth highest mountain when he was returning from the summit. “The team will recover Singh’s body from 8,200 m,” Sherpa said, adding that the team will also conduct a search for Ghos, who went missing above Camp IV on Thursday.

The search and recovery mission was supported by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, Sherpa said, adding that the team would try to recover bodies of Indian climbers from Mt Makalu.

According to Sherpa, another team of seven Sherpas coordinated by Tashi Lakpa Sherpa, who is also a director at Seven Summit Treks, has been bringing a body of Indian climber from Camp IV to Camp II. “The team has recovered body of Ravi Thakar, who was found dead inside his tent at Camp IV on Mt Everest,” Sherpa said, adding that the team will bring his body to Camp II this evening.

Earlier, remains of Biplab Baidya (48) and Kuntal Karar (46), who breathed their last above Camp IV, have already been airlifted to Kathmandu from Mt Kanchenjunga. The duo died on May 16 after they were unable to continue their descent from near the summit point of the world’s third highest peak.

Till date, the season witnessed at least 11 fatal incidents with three deaths on Mt Kanchenjunga, two on Mt Everest, three on Mt Makalu and one each on Mt Lhotse, Mt Annapurna and Mt Cho Oyu.