ITBP climber loses life due to avalanche on Gangotri-1 peak in Uttarkashi
An ITBP climber was killed when the avalanche (snowstorm) hit the Gangotri-1 peak. The deceased personnel’s body was taken from the base camp to Dehradun with the help of a helicopter. After bad weather and the death of a climber, the ITBP team is preparing to postpone the expedition and return. The body will be transported to Leh Ladakh, home to the climber, with military honors.
On September 29, the 23-member ITBP team left Gangotri for Gangotri-1 (6674 meters) for embarkation on the peak. The team consisted of 12 climbers as well as 11 support staff. Moving from Gangotri through the Rudragaira River, the team set up a base camp at an altitude of 4500 m above sea level, proceeding from Nala Camp and Rudragaira Base Camp. Further, by setting up advance base camps and summit camps, the team was preparing to mount on the glacier, but due to snowfall in the area, the team had to wait a few days.
Rope broke down due to giant avalanche
On 11 October, the climbers joining the team were heading towards the summit, preparing the route, when the giant avalanche broke the rope and the mountaineer Ladakh resident Norbu Wangbus (38) fell into a trench about two hundred meters deep. Fellow climbers immediately conducted a rescue operation and took him out of the ditch to the advance base camp. Where doctors declared him dead. Another climber involved in the accident also suffered injuries.
On Friday evening, an attempt was made to bring down the body of the climber by helicopter, but the dead body was taken to the base camp when the heli rescue situation could not be provided at advanced base camp. On Saturday, the helicopter took him to Jollygrant. After this, the dead body of the deceased will be transported to Leh Ladakh at his home with military honors. According to officials, the deceased was an experienced climber. He is survived by his family including his wife and a daughter. ITBP officials and mountaineers have mourned his death.
