KATHMANDU, April 24 — A Malaysian man was stranded in Nepal near the summit of Mount Annapurna, expedition organisers said today, after the climber was separated from other trekkers while descending the treacherous peak.
The 48-year-old summited the 8,100-metre (26,500-feet) Himalayan mountain yesterday with at least 31 others but failed to return to the nearest camp, a kilometre below the peak.
Thaneshwor Guragain of Seven Summit Treks said the man’s guide stumbled into the camp late yesteday after the two had lagged behind the team.
“Details of the climber’s condition are not clear, but his guide said it was impossible to bring him down by himself. We are aware of his location,” Guragain said.
“We are in conversation with the Malaysian embassy to plan what to do next,” he added.
Some team members waited at the camp for extra oxygen in the hope of reaching the man but efforts to send a helicopter with supplies were hampered by bad weather.
The Malaysian had returned to Nepal after summiting Everest last year.
Annapurna is technically difficult and avalanche-prone and has a higher death rate than Everest, the world’s highest peak.
Hundreds of people from around the world travel to the Himalayas each year for the spring climbing season, when conditions are best.
Nine South Koreans were killed last October after a snowstorm swept them off a cliff on Mount Gurja, west of Annapurna. — AFP
