Paldor peak offers a straightforward climb. Four French climbers missing in the area last reported from the peak's BC, right bfore the summit bid (click to enlarge).
Paldor is located in Ganesh Himal, north of Kathmandu. Images courtesy of Biglobe.ne.jp (click to enlarge).
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Four French climbers missing on Paldor Peak, Nepal
Posted: Nov 14, 2006 10:25 am EST
(MountEverest.net) Four French climbers are missing on Paldor Peak (5.896 m), Nepal. Grenoble residents Stefan C., Jean-Baptiste M., Raphaël P. and Vincent V., aged between 28 and 36, last reported from BC on October 12, right before setting off on a summit bid. The climbers agreed to meet up with friends Stefania Paolik and Carole Toigot in Kathmandu on November 5 – but never showed up.
Searching underway
The friends stated the missing climbers were experienced (one of them being a professional mountain guide), and that they carried a sat-phone.
The French embassy in Nepal has confirmed the dissapearences, adding that a search is underway. “There has been a helicopter overflight but nothing was seen," Stefania and Carole said. The air search will continue tomorrow, when also a 10-person team will reach BC and follow the missing climbers' itinerary towards the summit.
Some media quote local villagers as having seen two foreign climbers in BC on October 13. It is unclear though whether those were members in the missing French team.
Located in Ganesh Himal range, the 5.896 meters Paldor peak provides a straightforward climb, according to local trekking agencies. Paldor was first climbed by Bill Tilman in 1949. The normal route follows the NE ridge; however, options are also available for those whishing a more difficult climb, such as the SW ridge, notes Kairn.com.
Ganesh Himal is north of Kathmandu – the peak is approached from the villages of Gorkha,Trisuli, Dhading or Besi Sahar.
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