Himachal Pradesh mountaineer missing for 12 days yet to be traced

MANALI: A mountaineer from Shimla, who went missing after an avalanche hit him near the summit of 17,340 feet high Friendship Peak in Manali on November 19, could not be found even as five teams of search and rescue experts are camping near the peak.
Teams of Indian Army’s Dogra Scouts, Tiranga Mountain Rescue team of the Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Adventure Tour Operators Association and Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports are searching for mountaineer Ashutosh in the inclement weather conditions of the area.The teams are camping on snow below the peak under sub-zero temperatures, with threats of avalanches and more snowfall. As the peak has three faces, the teams are combing each part of the region while more chances of him being buried in snow debris are on the south side from where all expeditions are held.
The teams have succeeded in recovering a helmet, helmet torch and an ice axe from the debris. As the area is steep with deep snow, the search is not easy. The teams climb to the peak every morning and get back to the camps in the evening. Since the area is windy, the teams are forced to wind up the operation before sunset.
All five teams are using their own methods and technology to search for Ashutosh, whose chances of survival are now bleak. Aerial search with the help of a helicopter was also conducted, but it was of not much help.
“I, along with Sher Singh and Chandan Singh recovered his ice axe and head torch from the debris. Besides probing the avalanche, we used recco technology. So far. we have failed in finding the victim. The weather is very harsh. We reported to the officials that if he is not found soon, we may have to wait for the end of the winter season when snow melts and we can search for him even in the crevasses,” Tiranga Mountain Rescue team member Pradhuman Singh Negi said.
Ashutosh and Sachin from Chopal in Shimla and Sahil of Manali had set out on an expedition to Friendship Peak on November 17. Sachin chose to stay at base camp due to his medical condition and Ashutosh and Sahil were a few meters away from the peak when the snow below their feet started sliding. Sahil was ahead of Ashutosh and managed to protect himself.