KATHMANDU, Dec 7: The search and rescue operation for world-record climber Tenzen Sherpa, who went missing in an avalanche on October 7, will commence next year. The current season for mountain climbing and search and rescue has concluded, and efforts to locate Tenzen and others will resume in the coming year, according to Thaneshwar Guragain, the General Manager of Seven Summit, the company affiliated with Sherpa.
“The season is over for this year. Now, we will initiate the search again next year,” he stated.
General Manager Guragain mentioned that eight Sherpas would venture to the mountains in Shishapangma to search for Tenzen. Climber Sherpa, who set a world record on July 27 by climbing 14 mountains above 8,000 meters in the shortest time, is believed to be buried in the avalanche while ascending the 14th mountain in Tibet, Shishapangma.
World record climber Sherpa missing in avalanche
Despite the company's extensive efforts, Tenzen could not be located, and Guragain indicated that this year there were no circumstances under which the company's personnel could independently manage the search operation.
“Even after repeated initiatives, the Chinese government did not allow us to go and search for him,” Guragain explained.
Despite seeking help from climbers present at the time and requesting assistance from those caught in the avalanche, the search efforts faced obstacles. Guragain acknowledged that the government has provided full support to the company for Tenzen's search, engaging relevant agencies for search and rescue. However, despite the government's backing, China has not granted permission for the company to continue the search.
Tenzen and his team had climbed from the Seven Summits Trek, achieving a remarkable record by climbing 14 mountains in three months and two days, spanning 92 days. Tenzen has been missing since October 7, declared deceased by the Chinese government on October 8, yet his condition remains unconfirmed.
