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This article chronicles the successful rescue of two foreign women mountaineers, Michelle Theresa Dvorak from the USA and Fay Jane Manners from the United Kingdom, who were stranded on the treacherous Chaukhamba III peak in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district. The incident unfolded on October 3rd when the duo, part of a foreign mountaineering expedition organized by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF), lost their way while ascending towards the peak. Their ordeal began when their bag containing essential supplies and climbing equipment fell into a ravine, leaving them exposed and vulnerable in the harsh mountain environment.
An SOS call initiated the rescue operation, bringing together a combined force of the Indian Air Force (IAF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the IMF. While the challenging terrain of Chaukhamba III, characterized by glaciers, steep ice and rock faces, and low oxygen levels at high altitudes, posed significant obstacles for the rescue helicopters, the operation commenced on Friday. The climbers, although visible to the aerial search teams, were unable to signal them due to the loss of their rescue equipment. A pivotal moment in the rescue effort came when a French mountaineering team, already on an expedition along the same route since September 18th, managed to locate the stranded women.
The French team's invaluable contribution provided the rescue team with accurate coordinates of the women's location. This crucial information facilitated the joint team's efforts in reaching the climbers and bringing them to the helipad. The timely and collaborative efforts of the Indian Air Force, the State Disaster Response Force, the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, and the French mountaineering team culminated in the successful rescue of the two stranded women climbers. The incident highlights the complexities and dangers inherent in mountaineering expeditions, emphasizing the importance of preparedness, the collaborative spirit of rescue operations, and the vital role of timely information in facilitating successful rescues.
Source: Uttarakhand news: How 2 foreign women climbers stranded near Chaukhamba III peak were rescued