Rescue Mission for Injured Climber Ends in Kyrgyzstan
A rescue mission for seasoned mountaineer Natasha Nagovitsina has been called off in Kyrgyzstan after nearly two weeks. The 47-year-old Russian climber broke her leg close to the top of Victory Peak, which is the country’s tallest mountain, on August 12.
Nagovitsina gained attention four years ago when she stayed by her husband’s side after he suffered a stroke during a climb. Tragically, he later passed away, and she has been stranded at an elevation of 22,965 feet on Victory Peak since then. The mountain’s summit reaches 24,406 feet.
The decision to halt the rescue operation follows the death of Italian climber Luca Sinigaglia, who tried to assist Nagovitsina. Reports indicate that Sinigaglia succumbed to hypothermia after reaching her location on August 15 and providing her with essential gear such as a tent, sleeping bag, and food.
Previous rescue attempts, including two helicopter missions, faced challenges. One of these helicopter missions ended in a crash, injuring four people.
The final attempt to reach Nagovitsina was abandoned at 3,000 feet below her location due to worsening weather conditions. Dmitry Grekov, the rescue leader, expressed doubts about Nagovitsina’s chances of survival, stating it was unrealistic to expect her to endure at such high altitude for this length of time.
Just a few days before the mission was called off, a drone confirmed that she was alive on Tuesday. However, by Thursday, the same drone showed no signs of life as temperatures in the area dropped to around minus 9 degrees Fahrenheit.
The situation remains dire as all hopes to rescue her have faded amid the harsh conditions on the mountain.
