{"id":20308,"date":"2014-10-15T15:44:41","date_gmt":"2014-10-15T21:44:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.alanarnette.com\/blog\/?p=20308"},"modified":"2016-05-28T12:21:52","modified_gmt":"2016-05-28T18:21:52","slug":"nepal-avalanches-kills-trekkers-climbers-seperate-incidents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alanarnette.com\/blog\/2014\/10\/15\/nepal-avalanches-kills-trekkers-climbers-seperate-incidents\/","title":{"rendered":"Nepal Avalanches Kills Trekkers and Climbers in Seperate Incidents – Update 2"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Avalanche<\/a>
2008 Avalanche off Everest West Shoulder<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2014 continues to be a tragic year for those who love the mountains. In separate incidents over 24 people have lost their lives to avalanches, blizzards and heavy snow related to Cyclone Hudhud. Over 3 feet, 91 cm of new snow has fallen over two days.<\/p>\n

The reports are still coming in so this is preliminary and guaranteed to change, potentially with significantly more deaths. The major incidents occurred about 100 miles or 160 KM northwest of Kathmandu in the Manang and Mustang districts. These areas are in western Nepal near the border with China and not near Everest or the Khumbu region.<\/p>\n

Trekkers Die in Blizzards and Avalanches<\/strong><\/p>\n

Multiple news agencies are reporting on the deaths. CNN,<\/a> and the Himalayan Tines, amongst others, are reporting that 16 people were killed by an avalanche on the high point of the Annapurna Circuit, the Thorung La pass at 17,769 feet or 5415 meters. The dead are said to include trekkers from Vietnam, Israel and Poland, nine Nepali. In a separate avalanche in the same area, multiple yak herders died one day earlier.<\/p>\n

The trekkers were reported to be descending from the Pass towards Muktinath and were near Damcamp when the avalanche hit. Many of the trekkers have been evacuated via helicopter to Jomsom and over 100 trekkers have made it to the base of the pass at Muktinath. The rescued are reported to include five German, five Polish and four Israeli trekkers. Various reports<\/a> estimate an additional 18 to 20 people are buried under the avalanche debris but there are reports of over 100 still missing. Keep in mind, there can be several hundred on the trails at any given time.<\/p>\n

Apparently in a separate incident, four trekkers were killed when crossing the Thorang la pass. Only five bodies have been recovered: four Canadian trekkers and one Indian trekker. It is being reported that at least four of the deaths were the result of exposure during a blizzard and not from an avalanche those being two Polish, one Israeli and one Nepali from the Drump Camp.<\/p>\n

Climbers missing in Avalanche<\/strong><\/p>\n

Separately, five climbers are missing from an avalanche at Mt Dhaulagiri Base Camp, two Slovakians and three Nepalis according to MyRepublica. Their names were released as Slovakians John Matik and Vladimir Syvansar and Nepali Bhoj Kumar Rai of Mauling-6, Okhaldhunga, Dorje Sherpa of Juling-2, Solukhumbu and Gopal Rai of Gudin-8, Solukhumbu<\/p>\n

The heavy weather has caused delays for those still attempting climbs on the 8000 meter mountains: Makalu, Dhaulagiri, and Lhotse. There are no teams on Everest this autumn. Those climbs near Everest including Ama Dablam appear to have missed the brunt of the heavy snow.<\/p>\n

Over 100,000 trekkers visit Nepal each year and October is generally consider safe with clear and stable weather.<\/p>\n

My sincere condolences to the families of the d.<\/p>\n

Contact for Families<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is a Facebook page to help families connect with those involved in the Annapurna Nepal avalanche & blizzard https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Annapurna-Nepal-Avalanche-and-Blizzard-Info-Share\/336895043154367<\/a><\/p>\n

Oct 16, 2014 Update:<\/strong><\/p>\n