As a result of two separate avalanches that occurred on the same mountain in Tibet, one American climber has been confirmed de.ad, while another is still missing.
According to The Himalayan Times, de.adly avalanches struck experienced climbers Anna Gutu and Gina Marie Rzucidlo at around 25,000 feet on Mount Shishapangma on Saturday afternoon. The two women were competing to become the first American woman to scale all 14 of the world’s peaks that are higher than 8,000 meters (26,246 feet). The avalanches occurred at around 25,000 feet on the mountain.
According to the publication, both climbers had successfully conquered their 13th peak only a few days before beginning their ascent of Mount Shishapangma.
“We have received reports that Anna and her guide were hit by the avalanche yesterday, their bodies have been recovered,” according to Mingma In a statement that was sent to CBS News, David Sherpa, a spokesperson from Gutu’s expedition leaders Elite Exped, stated the following.
“There are other climbers missing as well and rescue efforts are underway,” he said also.
Christy Rzucidlo, Rzucidlo’s sister, said on Facebook on Sunday that the family was “still praying for a miracle” and that they had not given up hope.
“As of this morning, my sister Gina and her Sherpa are still unaccounted for,” she said further.
Rzucidlo was hoping to “become the first American woman to climb the world’s 14 peaks above 8,000 meters,” according to a GoFundMe campaign that was started by a friend of the family to raise money for the search effort. The campaign said that the event occurred when Rzucidlo was climbing.
“Gina was a skilled climber and mountaineer but above all she was a beloved daughter, sister, and aunt,” according to Church.
According to CBS News, Rzucidlo’s Nepalese mountain guide Tenjen Sherpa also remained missing on Monday. Sherpa was Rzucidlo’s climbing companion. According to the Associated Press, he established a new record in August by being the first person to climb all 14 of the highest peaks in the world in a record period of 92 days with a Norwegian climber named Kristin Harila.
Tenjen Sherpa (Lama), who was last seen on Mount Shisha Pangma on October 7, 2023, left behind a void in all of our hearts when we learned that he had been found de.ad. “Lama’s unconquerable spirit has always inspired us all with his dedication and kindness,” a climbing firm located in Nepal called Seven Summit Treks said on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Monday.
“His legacy in mountaineering will continue to shine brilliantly for all time, and his memory will be inscribed in each of our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with Lama and his family, as well as others who were unfortunate enough to get lost or pass away on Shisha Pangma,” the message said.
With a height of 26,335 feet, Mount Shishapangma holds the title of the world’s 14th-tallest peak.