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Australian Climber Dies on Himlung Himal After Rescue Attempts Thwarted

Recovery remains on hold due to poor weather, flight restrictions, altitude limits.

Overview

  • Chin-Tark Chan, 49, fell ill near 6,800 metres on Monday with symptoms reported as snow blindness and mobility loss, according to Global Rescue.
  • Helicopter longline or hover extraction was ruled unsafe because of operating altitude limits, and a later hover attempt failed due to adverse weather.
  • Sherpas moved him to a lower camp Monday where frostbite was confirmed, but heavy snow and a helicopter ground stop on Wednesday prevented evacuation.
  • He died during descent on Wednesday below Camp 3, with reports placing the location between roughly 6,100 and 6,500 metres.
  • His body remains on the mountain; 8K Expeditions and Australian consular officials say it will be flown to Kathmandu for family once conditions allow.