Summary
Chin Tark Chan died on Wednesday while climbing Himlung Himal in Nepal after he was first reported ill on Monday. The Guardian
What happened
An Australian man has died after becoming ill 300 metres from the summit of a mountain in Nepal. Chin Tark Chan died on Wednesday during an attempt to climb 7,100-metre high Himlung Himal after he was first reported ill on Monday. The Guardian
A spokesperson for Chan’s evacuation provider, Global Rescue, said he became ill on Monday morning local time at a height of 6,800m. Two hours later, the expedition company’s sherpas reported that Chan was nearly unconscious. The Guardian
Chan fell ill during his ascent of the 7,126-metre Himlung Himal in the Annapurna range; guides helped him begin his descent, but he collapsed at about 6,100 metres and could not be revived. ABC News
Rescue, weather and procedural issues reported
Global Rescue said a hover or longline rescue was “determined to be unsafe” because Chan was located above the maximum operating altitude set by Nepali aviation regulations, and another helicopter operator made an unsuccessful hover rescue attempt four hours after Chan was first reported ill because of adverse weather conditions. The Guardian
Chan was carried to the lower camp on Monday, where it was confirmed he had frostbite on his fingers and toes; he remained there on Tuesday, with descent or a helicopter rescue “impossible due to snow.” On Wednesday, Nepali aviation authorities imposed a temporary ground stop on all helicopter flights after an unrelated crash, and Chan died not far into the descent. The Guardian
The Himalayan Times reports the expedition agency 8K Expeditions accused Global Rescue of refusing to conduct a timely evacuation and said Chan exhibited symptoms including snow blindness, vomiting blood and loss of mobility; the agency said delays ultimately cost his life. Global Rescue disputed negligence claims, saying operations were limited by altitude, weather, permits and safety. The Himalayan Times
Official confirmations and next steps
8K Expeditions’ Lakpa Sherpa said Chan was one of nine climbers in a group ascending the mountain, accompanied by 10 sherpas; he notified the Australian embassy as well as Chan’s family. A spokesperson for Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it was providing consular assistance to the family. The Guardian
Nepal’s Department of Tourism said efforts to retrieve his body were being hindered by heavy snow and poor weather; efforts were underway to bring his remains to Kathmandu for repatriation. ABC News The Himalayan Times
Additional reporting
ExplorersWeb noted Chin Tark Chan, 49, of Australia, lost his life on the 7,126m Himlung, describing the mountain as one of the easier 7,000m peaks while highlighting challenging weather conditions during the period. ExplorersWeb
Images
Photograph: Craig Lovell/Eagle Visions Photography/Alamy. The Guardian
(Supplied: Andrew Lock) ABC News
Share Your Thoughts
- What impact could these rescue and regulation constraints have on high-altitude expeditions in Nepal?
- Do you think insurers, expedition operators and local authorities should change protocols for rescues above helicopter operating ceilings?
- How should expedition companies balance client autonomy and guide recommendations at extreme altitudes?
- What lessons should climbers and families take from this incident when preparing for 7,000m+ expeditions?
- How can weather and aviation safety coordination be improved to reduce delays in future rescues?
Sources: full reporting compiled from The Guardian, ABC News, The Himalayan Times, ExplorersWeb.