An Australian mountaineer has died after collapsing during his descent of Himlung Himal in Nepal. Chin-Tark Chan, 49, fell ill while ascending the 7,126-metre peak in the Annapurna range, according to expedition organiser 8K Expeditions.
Guides helped him begin his descent, but he collapsed at about 6,100 metres and could not be revived. Efforts to retrieve his body are being hampered by heavy snow and poor weather, Nepal's Department of Tourism said.
8K Expeditions Managing Director Lakpa Sherpa said the climber's family and the Australian embassy in Kathmandu had been informed, and the body was expected to be flown to the capital by Sunday before being handed over to relatives. Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it was providing consular assistance and extended condolences.
According to Global Rescue, the firm received a distress message from 8K Expeditions on October 27 reporting that Mr Chan had fallen ill at about 6,800 metres. He was disoriented, unable to see, and later vomiting blood and bleeding from the nose. A helicopter rescue attempt failed due to poor weather, and he died on October 29 below Camp 3 at about 6,500 metres.
Lakpa Sherpa alleged that Global Rescue's negligence led to the death, but Global Rescue called the allegations baseless. Nepal's Department of Tourism said efforts to retrieve the remains are continuing.
