Rescuers Abandon Efforts for Injured Climber at 22,000ft

Rescue efforts for Natalia Nagovitsina, a 47-year-old Russian climber stranded at an altitude of 22,000 feet on Victory Peak in Kyrgyzstan, have been called off after ten days of challenging conditions. Nagovitsina suffered a broken leg during her ascent of the 24,406-foot mountain and has been trapped in severe weather with limited food and water since August 12, 2023.

Despite initial attempts to save her, including the delivery of supplies by fellow climber Luca Sinigaglia, conditions proved too dangerous for the rescue teams. Sinigaglia, who tragically died from exposure and hypothermia, had previously brought a sleeping bag, food, and a tent to Nagovitsina. Unfortunately, repeated attempts to reach her, both by climbing and via helicopter, failed due to worsening weather.

Challenges Mount and Rescue Mission Concludes

The situation escalated dramatically when a defense ministry Mi-8 helicopter crashed during its mission to rescue Nagovitsina. A second helicopter, the Mi-17VM, was dispatched, but zero visibility forced the crew to turn back. Dmitry Grekov, the leader of the rescue operation, described the conditions as “unrealistic” for survival at such high altitudes.

“I think not, because she has been there since August 12 — count how much time has passed,” Grekov stated, expressing the grim outlook for Nagovitsina’s survival.

Grekov noted that experienced mountaineer Vitaly Akimov led a final attempt to ascend to Nagovitsina, but back pain from the helicopter crash forced him to abandon the mission, just 3,600 feet from her location. The Kyrgyzstan Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed that the rescue mission has officially ended, leaving Nagovitsina’s fate uncertain.

A Legacy of Courage and Sacrifice

Nagovitsina is known for her remarkable bravery during a previous climbing expedition in 2021 when she refused to abandon her husband, Sergei Nogovitsin, who suffered a stroke at an altitude of 22,638 feet on Khan Tengri. During that incident, she chose to remain by his side despite the perilous conditions, showcasing extraordinary love and self-sacrifice. Her story gained attention when her radio communication with rescue teams went viral, highlighting the emotional struggle of having to choose between her safety and her husband’s well-being.

Ultimately, rescuers reached the couple, but they were unable to move Nogovitsin, and he perished on the mountain. In a poignant act of remembrance, Nagovitsina returned to Khan Tengri a year later to install a plaque in memory of her husband. Her story continues to resonate as a powerful testament to the lengths one may go for love, even in the face of tragedy.

As the climbing community reflects on the recent rescue mission, the courage shown by both Nagovitsina and Sinigaglia remains an enduring symbol of the risks and sacrifices inherent in high-altitude climbing.