Key takeaways:
- Two avalanches occurred at altitudes of 7,600 and 8,000 meters, resulting in the death of American mountaineer Anna Gutu and Nepalese guide Mingmar Sherpa.
- Two other climbers, American climber Gina Marie Rzucidlo and Nepalese mountain guide Tenjen Sherpa, remain missing.
- Rescue teams are working to locate the two missing climbers, and the cause of the avalanches is still under investigation.
Beijing (AP) – Tragedy struck Tibet’s Mount Shishapangma on Saturday afternoon when two avalanches occurred at altitudes of 7,600 and 8,000 meters (about 25,000 and 26,000 feet). According to the Tibet Sports Bureau, American mountaineer Anna Gutu and Nepalese guide Mingmar Sherpa were confirmed dead, while two others, American climber Gina Marie Rzucidlo and Nepalese mountain guide Tenjen Sherpa, remain missing.
Mingmar Sherpa was one half of a duo who shattered the record for the fastest climb of the 14 mountains more than 8,000 meters (about 26,000 feet) high in July this year. The accident occurred at an altitude of between 7,600 and 8,000 meters, according to China’s state news agency Xinhua.
The news of the tragedy has been met with shock and sadness among the mountaineering community. “It’s a tragedy for the mountaineering community,” said American climber and guide Melissa Arnot, who has summited Mount Everest five times. “It’s a reminder of how powerful and unpredictable the mountains can be.”
The search for the two missing climbers is ongoing, and rescue teams are working to locate them. The cause of the avalanches is still under investigation. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the climbers affected by this tragedy.
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