DEHRADUN: THE TWO gritty mountaineers—Michelle Theresa from the U.S. and Favgane Manners from the U.K.—found themselves stranded at a perilous 6,015 meters while attempting to conquer the treacherous Chaukhamba III peak in Uttarakhand.
After a rockfall swept away their gear, the situation turned risky for them.
But in an outstanding rescue operation, the Indian Air Force and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) swung into action.
Despite the high-altitude challenges, oxygen scarcity, and harsh terrain, the rescue team located the climbers late on Saturday and, after some logistical delays, safely evacuated them on Sunday morning.
Both women were initially reported missing by their expedition team on October 3, and rescue efforts began immediately after the Uttarakhand authorities received alerts from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation and their respective embassies.
The operation, which included two IAF Chetak helicopters, was a joint effort between the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority, Chamoli’s Disaster Management Office, and the IAF.
The mission faced several hurdles, including operating in extreme weather and high-altitude conditions, but the teams' expertise paid off as both mountaineers were brought safely to Joshimath.
