KATHMANDU, MAY 27
A renowned climber from Germany has gone missing on Mt Kanchenjunga in eastern Nepal since May 25, sources said.
Luis Stitzinger, the expedition leader of the German operator Amical Alpin, has remained out of contact from around 8,500m after he scaled the world's third-highest peak without using supplemental oxygen on May 25, sources confirmed.
Thaneswar Guragai, General Manager at Seven Summit Treks, said that a search mission has already been launched to search for the missing alpinist. Luis was last seen descending at around 8,500m.
Luis along with Adrian Laza, Vadim Pirmin Druelle, Vibeke Andrea Sefland, He Jing, Waldemar Kowalewski, Flower Waganku Wayta, Pemba Sherpa, Nuri Sherpa, Chhepal Sherpa, Chhiring Bhote and Ang Tenji Sherpa stood atop the mountain on May 25.
The officially certified mountain and ski guide Luis was born in Füssem in 1968 and has roamed the mountains since childhood. He has been one of Germany's most active mountaineers for many years. He has successfully climbed many mountains without bottled oxygen.
Luis skied down Gasherbrum II at 8,035m, Nanga Parbat at 8,125m, Broad Peak at 8,051m, K2 at 8,611m, Manaslu at 8,163m, Shisha Pangma at 8,027m and the north face of Pik Lenin at 7,134m among others.
