In a dramatic rescue operation, the Indian Air Force successfully saved two women mountaineers—Michelle Theresa Dvorak from the USA and Fay Jane Manners from the UK—who had been stranded for three days at an altitude of 6,015 meters on the Chaukhamba III peak in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district. The rescue took place on Sunday morning, October 6, following a challenging search effort that began when the climbers got stranded on October 3.
The two experienced climbers were part of a foreign expedition organized by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation. They had flown into New Delhi on September 15 and were known for their significant achievements in mountaineering, including being the first female duo to successfully summit Denali, North America’s highest peak at 6,200 meters, in 2022.
Their last communication with their liaison, Shweta Sharma, was via pager, where they reported a critical incident: their bag containing food and essential climbing gear had fallen into a gorge while they were at a height of 6,015 meters. This unfortunate mishap left them without sufficient supplies, leading to their distress.
As soon as the situation was reported, the Indian Air Force deployed two helicopters for a search operation on Friday. However, fog and adverse weather conditions complicated their efforts. On Saturday, personnel trained in climbing from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) joined the rescue operation, which proved vital in locating the stranded climbers.
After being airlifted to safety, the two women were visibly relieved and grateful despite their exhaustion. They were transported to the Jyotirmath (Joshimath) helipad by the IAF and SDRF personnel, where they received necessary medical attention.
Fortunately, the climbers appeared safe after enduring three days in challenging conditions with limited food. Their rescue highlights the risks associated with high-altitude climbing and the critical role of coordinated rescue efforts in such emergencies.
Sources By Agencies
