LAMJUNG: A Russian climber has been reportedly missing while returning after scaling the 6091-metre Pisang Peak in Upper Manang on Tuesday.

The missing climber has been identified as Sarji (name transcribed).

According to Manang District Administration Office, bids to find him were not materialised on Tuesday as a helicopter mobilised in the search operation could not land owing to bad weather.

Locals and six mountaineers had also launched a separate search mission, but to no avail.

However, Chief District Officer Bhim Kanta Sharma said the same chopper would be used again on Thursday to carry out the search operation.

Meanwhile, the missing mountaineer is learned to have refused to use a common rope to return on his own.

The District Police Office said the incident was reported to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Police have suspected that the missing climber might have been trapped in a gorge.