The base camp was set at 4,200m in a poor location, surrounded by 35-40-degree mountain walls and a deep gorge below. Image Padam Ghale (part of the HRA SAR team) and NepalNews.com
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Kang Guru climbing tragedy update - BC in poor location?
Posted: Nov 14, 2005 12:12 am EST
October 20, an avalanche buried an entire camp of mountaineers on Kang Guru peak, 6,800 m, in Nepal. 7 French and 11 Nepali climbers, including the recent Nanga Parbat summiteer Bernard Constantin, were swept to their deaths into a deep, 400 m long mountain gorge. Only 4 Nepali climbers survived the tragedy, standing outside their tents when the avalanche hit. Avalanche SAR dogs were deployed in the search, but recovery has been difficult and 17 bodies are still missing.
Avalanche prone zone
NepalNews report that in spite of the mountaineers experience, they might have underestimated the peak. The base camp was set at 4,200m in a poor location, surrounded by 35-40-degree mountain walls. Due to the avalanche prone zone and snow fall that day, one of the porters suggested the camp be moved to a safer location downhill but the idea was dismissed according to the news source and Padam Ghale (part of the HRA SAR team).
The avalanche hit the camp after 4 pm, as the expedition had finished tea and were just entering their tents. The four survivors made their way to a nearby village that same evening. Bad weather delayed the search, and the HRA didn't reach BC until October 24. The next day, French climber Bruno M.J. Chardin was found but the rest remain on the mountain.
The missing French climbers are Bernard Constantin, Pierre G. Fleuatti, Jean Francois Jube, Jean Paul Minette, Marie Odile Stolzenberg, and Daniel Stolzenberg.
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