Anurag Maloo, an Indian climber who went missing after falling into a crevasse on Mount Annapurna in Nepal, has been found alive. The 10th highest mountain in the world is known for its treacherous terrain and poses significant risks to climbers. Maloo went missing on Monday while descending from a camp at around 6,000m (19,600ft). He slipped and fell into a crevasse between Camp III and Camp II.

Rescuers found Maloo in a critical condition, but he survived his ordeal. Two other Indian climbers were rescued on Tuesday, while an Irish climber died while descending Annapurna. Amit Chowdhury, a board member at the UIAA, the international mountaineering and climbing federation based in Switzerland, explained that it was possible for climbers to survive after falling into a crevasse. “A crevasse is warmer and well protected from wind. So if he was not badly injured, it’s not unusual that he survived in a crevasse,” he said.

The Seven Summit Treks mountaineering company led the search operation, and a sherpa from the company stated that Maloo is receiving treatment at Manipal Hospital in Pokhara city. Maloo is a resident of Rajasthan state, and last year he successfully climbed a mountain in the eastern Himalayan range in Nepal. He was on a mission to climb all 14 peaks above 8,000m and scale the world’s seven summits – the highest mountains in each continent – to create awareness about the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Maloo’s brother, Aashish, launched an online petition urging the Indian and Nepalese governments to send a special rescue team “trained to operate in such risky terrain” to find his brother. “A team of sherpas have started the search operation but that’s not enough at the moment,” the petition said. The search operation included a team of sherpas and was supported by the Nepal Army and the local police.

Mount Annapurna is a popular destination for climbers, but it is also one of the most dangerous mountains to climb. Since 1950, there have been over 200 deaths on Annapurna. In 2014, an avalanche on Annapurna claimed the lives of at least 39 climbers, including 13 Nepalese sherpas.

While climbing mountains can be a rewarding and exhilarating experience, it is also a risky activity. Mountaineers face challenges such as altitude sickness, crevasses, rockfalls, and avalanches. However, with proper training, equipment, and precautions, climbers can reduce the risks associated with the sport. The UIAA has established safety standards and ethical guidelines for mountaineers, and many countries have regulatory bodies that oversee mountain climbing activities.

Anurag Maloo’s survival after falling into a crevasse on Mount Annapurna is remarkable. While climbing mountains is an exciting and challenging activity, it also poses significant risks to climbers. It is essential to have proper training, equipment, and precautions to minimize the risks associated with mountaineering. The search and rescue operation that found Maloo demonstrates the importance of having experienced and well-equipped teams that can operate in challenging terrain.

———

#AnuragMaloo #MountAnnapurna #Nepal #mountaineering #climbing #crevasse #rescue #survival #SevenSummitTreks #UIAA #SustainableDevelopmentGoals #awareness #Indianclimber #manipalhospital #treacherousterrain