Photo credit: explorersweb.com
Sherpas working on Annapurna have discovered the bodies of Rima Sherpa and Ngima Tashi Sherpa, who tragically lost their lives in an avalanche on Tuesday. The discovery was made possible by a Recco reflector embedded in their clothing.
Both individuals were employed by Seven Summit Treks (SST), which remains the only expedition team still actively operating on the mountain. Another SST group is preparing for a renewed summit attempt as soon as the weather conditions improve.
Recco Detection Technology
The climbers were situated slightly above Camp 2 when the avalanche occurred. Initial speculation among nearby climbers suggested that the victims might have been swept into a crevasse. However, a team of Sherpas searching the area yesterday picked up a signal from a Recco reflector, as shown in a video shared by expedition leader Chhang Dawa Sherpa.
All Sherpa staff affiliated with the Kathmandu-based SST carry Recco reflectors in their clothing or equipment. These innovative reflectors aid in locating individuals by responding to the signals emitted from search devices, which send out a radio signal. If the reflectors on the victims’ clothing reflect the signal back, the searchers’ device emits a distinct beeping sound, as highlighted in the video.
Recco reflectors are increasingly standard in mountaineering gear and became mandatory for all climbers on Everest just last year.
While the location of at least one of the bodies has been confirmed, the process of recovery remains uncertain.
Crevasse Observations Before and After the Avalanche
Just 15 minutes prior to the avalanche, climber John Black from South Africa traversed what he believes to be the crevasse where the two Sherpas ultimately ended up. He described the crossing as manageable using a two-piece ladder, as he recounted to ExplorersWeb.
The crevasse may have contributed to the avalanche’s impact, as crossed by John Black shortly before the disaster. Photo: John Black
Black observed that the crevasse had widened significantly by the time his climbing partner, Warren Eva, passed it on his descent from the summit the next day. (The remnants of the ladder can be seen near the crevasse.)
The crevasse appeared significantly altered by the following day after the avalanche. Photo: Warren Eva
John Black narrowly missed the avalanche during his summit push. Meanwhile, Warren Eva, who became the first non-Nepalese climber to reach the summit, witnessed the aftermath in Camp 3 during the hours subsequent to the avalanche’s disruption of a segment of the climbing ropes. An interview is currently being arranged with both climbers for ExplorersWeb.
So far, the death toll on Annapurna stands at 75, with 39 fatalities occurring from avalanches, as noted by KrisAnnapurna on ExplorerWeb. Among the deceased, 20 were Sherpas, including Rima Sherpa and Ngima Tashi Sherpa.
Climbers Awaiting Opportunities
This season marks the first time Annapurna Base Camp has received a thin layer of snowfall. More snow is anticipated in the coming days. In light of the adverse conditions, several teams, including Pioneer Adventure, 8K Expeditions, and Makalu Adventure, are dismantling their camps and departing.
Only Seven Summit Treks remains committed, with clients still eager to attempt the summit once favorable weather returns. Oleg Ivanchenko from Ukraine is one of the guides currently with SST, supporting two clients, and taking a brief respite in Pokhara during the inclement weather.
Ivanchenko hopes to secure a summit window following April 13.
A record 66 climbing permits have been issued for Annapurna this season by Nepal’s Department of Tourism. This surpasses the previous record of 67 summits set in 2022, which included both international and local climbers, with most achieving their ascent in a single wave.
In Nepal, only foreign climbers require permits. A successful summit by the ongoing SST team would likely set a new record for the number of summits achieved.
Climbing Conditions Compared
Moeses Fiamoncini from Brazil is another climber active on the mountain, as he guides fellow Brazilian Renata Fialho. He is seeking to reach the summit himself for the first time, marking his fifth attempt. Fiamoncini has previously made three attempts in spring and one in winter 2024, as part of an expedition led by Alex Txikon.
“The mountain is experiencing very dry conditions similar to winter 2024,” remarked Fiamoncini to ExplorersWeb. “At Camp 2 during that winter, we encountered conditions that were primarily icy with minimal snow. The main distinction now is the significantly warmer temperatures.”
Fiamoncini further noted, “The icy conditions persisted into early April, which heightened risks due to frequent serac falls and large avalanches. Currently, the warmer temperatures have rendered the seracs more unstable.”
Climbers aiming for the summit in the coming week are expected to navigate a different route than those from the earlier climbing wave.
“Today, we experienced our first snowfall at Base Camp for the season, which is quite unusual,” Fiamoncini stated. “During my times here in 2021, 2022, and 2023, the base camp usually received substantial snowfall in March.”
Source
explorersweb.com