Dramatic footage shows two climbers stranded on a perilous icy ledge at an altitude of 21,000 feet in the Himalayas.
US mountaineer Michelle Dvorak, 31, and British climber Fay Manners, 37, faced extreme cold and anxiety during their perilous situation.
They were found alive three days after losing their equipment while attempting to summit India’s Chaukhamba mountain.
Stranded climbers share their harrowing experience
In the shocking video, Dvorak and Manners express their fears and uncertainties.
Manners says, “No sign of rescue, and we’re really f*****g cold.”
She adds, “One bag down, and now it’s snowing.” The climbers were left without food, water, and essential gear after falling rocks caused their survival bag to plummet into the valley.
Manners recounts the accident: “These rocks just came out from under me. The next thing I knew, I looked down, and the bag was gone.”
The loss of critical items, including a communication device and warm clothing, intensified their struggle for survival.
Climber struggled against severe conditions
After 48 hours on the icy ledge without shelter or resources, Manners was nearing hypothermia.
She expressed her concerns: “At this point, we haven’t eaten for two days. We’re severely dehydrated. We’re freezing. We’ve been on the wall for seven days.”
As snowfall accumulated around them, the climbers huddled together for warmth.
They watched helplessly as an Indian Air Force helicopter circled overhead but flew away without spotting them.
Despite their dire situation, the climbers managed to send an SOS message when they were at 20,350 feet.
Dvorak’s phone had just enough charge to transmit a single message before dying moments later. Manners knew their options were dwindling.
The pair faced a tough decision: wait for rescue or attempt a risky descent without essential gear.
Manners stated, “Given the incredibly complex, challenging approach, we knew it wasn’t possible. Even if we get down off the rock, how are we going to operate on that terrain without our gear?”
They made a risky decision in a moment of hope
On the third day, with hope fading, they decided to rappel down the buttress despite their weak condition.
Manners reflected, “We were severely dehydrated, hungry, freezing. Our bodies were weak, and we’d been climbing for six days, pushing our limits.”
As they began their descent, fortune smiled upon them. They spotted four climbers from the French Group Militaire de Haute Montagne of Chamonix.
“It was a miracle,” Manners exclaimed. “When we got to them, they’d been trying to get to us as well.”
The French team had been informed about the stranded climbers and were actively searching for them.
The French team assisted Dvorak and Manners in their journey back to base camp.
Their evacuation involved search efforts from the Indian Air Force (IAF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the State Disaster Management Authority.
Manners, a professional alpinist from Bedford, moved to the Alps to pursue her passion for climbing.
She has completed numerous challenging routes and aims to inspire women in alpinism.
Her website states, “My ambition is to inspire women to pursue their interest in alpinism.”
Manners is also a data consultant by night, maintaining a strong presence on Instagram with over 15,000 followers.
Dvorak, also an experienced climber, serves as a teaching assistant at the University of Washington.