Search for missing Sherpa guides ends, two accomplished Sherpa guides lost in avalanche
Extensive efforts to locate the two experienced mountaineers swept by avalanche yielded no results, leading to the suspension of the search.
SST
The search for two missing Sherpa guides, Ngima Tashi Sherpa and Rima Rinje Sherpa, has been officially called off four days after a devastating avalanche swept through the area above Camp II (5,600m) on Mount Annapurna (8,091m).
Seven Summit Treks, the expedition organizer, made the announcement on April 11 that the efforts to locate the two experienced mountaineers yielded no results and thus the bid has been suspended.
“Despite every effort we made, deploying two search helicopters, assisted by five Sherpas from the immediate moment of the disaster, it has been four days, yet we have not found any trace of either of the two men,” said SST on a social media post adding, “It is no longer possible for anyone to survive this long under the mass of snow and ice and prolonging search efforts on the slopes of Annapurna mean we are risking the lives of other Sherpas and members too.”
Ngima Tashi and Rima Rinje were swept away by an avalanche on April 7, while they were transporting oxygen cylinders in preparation for summit push.
The expedition organizer expressed profound grief over the presumed loss of Ngima Tashi and Rima Rinje, describing them as "two of our finest guides."
Ngima Tashi had successfully summited 8,000-meter peaks 18 times, including seven ascents of Mount Everest. His expertise in rope-fixing was legendary, and he had recently celebrated the first ascent of Yasa Thak (6,141m) in November 2024.
Rima Rinje Sherpa was mourned as a rising star among Nepal's next generation of climbing guides. With seven 8,000-meter summits to his credit, including four on Everest.
