A British climber missing in the Himalayas has expressed immense relief after surviving two harrowing days in severe conditions that endangered her life.
Fay Manners, from Bedfordshire, and her climbing partner, Michelle Dvorak, found themselves stranded on Chaukhamba mountain in northern India when the rope supporting their food, tent, and climbing gear snapped, leaving them without supplies.
The climbers transmitted an emergency message from an altitude of over 20,000 feet, yet initial search and rescue efforts were unsuccessful in locating them.
Manners recounted their fear as they attempted to descend the mountain alone before eventually being found by rescuers.
An experienced alpinist now residing in Chamonix, France, Manners described how a loose rock severed the rope, plunging her into despair as they lost all safety equipment crucial for their survival.
“We had none of our safety equipment left—no tent, no stove for melting snow, and no warm clothes for the night,” she stated.
Despite the dangerous situation, they managed to send a text message that initiated a search and rescue operation.
As the weather deteriorated, the women took refuge on a ledge while sharing the only sleeping bag they had. “I felt hyperthermic, constantly shaking, and running out of energy,” Manners recalled.
After another night in the harsh conditions, a helicopter search failed to locate them, forcing them to endure an additional 24 hours on the mountain.
“They attempted the rescue, but conditions were brutal,” said Manners, highlighting the adverse weather and difficult terrain.
After managing to abseil down for water, the climbers barely survived through the storm, knowing they had to find their way down themselves.
On the second morning, they encountered a group of French climbers who came to their aid, sharing food and equipment and contacting rescuers with their exact location.
“I cried with relief knowing we had a chance to survive,” Manners expressed, reflecting on the harrowing experience.
Manners, who made history in 2022 as the first woman to ascend the Phantom Direct route on Mont Blanc’s Grand Jorasses, emphasized her ambition to inspire women in the field of alpinism.
She acknowledged the incident as unfortunate but rare, stating, “We did well to survive and retreat as we did.”
Exhausted but revitalized, Manners and Dvorak plan to enjoy local Indian cuisine before returning home to their families.
A spokesperson from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office confirmed support for the family of a British climber reported missing in India, stating she has been successfully rescued.
