Spotted: Man Shivering from Extreme Cold
During their ascent near the summit of Mt. Everest, mountain guide Gelje Sherpa and his Chinese client made a chilling discovery. Gelje noticed a climber clinging to a rope in the perilous “death zone,” suffering from intense cold and shivering uncontrollably.
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According to Reuters, this region, situated at the towering height of 29,032 feet, experiences bone-chilling temperatures that can plunge to -22ºF or below.
Time For Action: Realizing the Seriousness of the Situation
In a recent interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Sherpa revealed the dire circumstances of the stranded climber. He had been left unaided on the verge of perishing, without any companions, oxygen, sherpas, or guides.
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As reported by The Guardian, Gelje recognized the gravity of the situation and successfully convinced his Chinese client to abandon their summit attempt and join him in the rescue mission.
How the Rescue Went Down
The pair wrapped the trapped climber in a sleeping mat and carried him on their backs for nearly 1,900 feet through the hazardous snow-covered terrain. According to Reuters, after around six hours they obtained assistance from another guide named Ngima Tashi.
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Fortunately, a helicopter arrived to provide additional aid, and the climber was flown to the safety of the base camp. Following his evacuation, he was returned to Malaysia.
A Rare Successful Rescue Attempt
According to Bigyan Koirala, a tourist department employee, rescuing climbers at such heights is near impossible. He described the successful operation as extremely rare. Sherpa, who has participated in 55 rescues, told CNN that this specific rescue was the most difficult he had ever encountered.
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Tragically, Nepali officials stated that at least 12 people died this year while attempting to scale Everest, with five more are still missing.