Two climbers recently found themselves in a dire situation while attempting to scale a Himalayan peak, and their remarkable survival story is one of resilience and the warmth of human connection.
Fay Manners, 37, and American climber Michelle Dvorak, 31, were missing for several days as they navigated the treacherous slopes of India’s Chaukhamba mountain.
Their experience highlights not only the challenges of high-altitude climbing but also the crucial role of companionship in survival.
The Unexpected Crisis
The ordeal began last Thursday when the duo encountered a life-threatening predicament.
They lost their climbing gear, tent, and food after a rockfall sent their equipment tumbling down a gorge.
In a moment of panic, they managed to send a distress message back to base camp, signaling their dire situation.
Stranded at an elevation of 6,015 meters (19,700 feet), they faced the daunting prospect of being unable to descend to safety.
Fortunately, they were later rescued in a daring helicopter operation, bringing an end to their terrifying experience.
Cuddling for Survival
Reflecting on their harrowing days trapped in the cold, Manners spoke candidly about their strategy for survival: “Only our body warmth saved us. Cuddling saved us.”
Following the rockfall, they were left with minimal gear, leaving them feeling vulnerable and helpless.
“With your gear, you can still contemplate some options. Without your gear, you feel helpless,” she explained.
The cold nights were particularly brutal, and although the sunlight brought some relief during the day, it was not enough to fend off the freezing temperatures at night.
“I was just trembling all the time. Oh, I felt so, so cold,” Manners recalled.
The Search and Rescue Efforts
Back at base camp, fellow climbers sensed that Manners and Dvorak were still alive.
Colonel Madan Gurung, director of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, recounted a moment of hope when everyone at base camp saw a flickering light in the mountains at night, reassuring them that the climbers were safe but still stranded.
“We knew they were okay; we just had to get to them fast.”
However, their hopes were briefly dashed when a rescue helicopter flew overhead but could not locate the climbers.
Ultimately, the Indian Air Force (IAF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the State Disaster Management Authority coordinated a rescue mission that successfully brought Manners and Dvorak back to safety.
Their tour operator, Kapil Malhotra, noted how exhausted they appeared upon emerging from the helicopter, saying they looked “drunk” from fatigue.
Plans for Recovery and the Future
In a video shared after their rescue, Manners recounted the moment the rockfall struck: “We were pulling up my bag, and she had her bag on her, and the rockfall came and cut the rope with the other bag, and it just went down the entire mountain.”
Now safe, she expressed a desire to indulge in “spicy Indian food” and take some time to rest before heading home.
Remarkably, despite the harrowing experience, she hasn’t ruled out returning to attempt Chaukhamba III in the future—though she plans to wait a while before considering that challenge.
Manners, originally from Bedford, UK, moved to the Alps to pursue her passion for climbing and has since become a professional alpinist, sponsored by major brands like The North Face and Petzl.
Her website shares her ambition to inspire other women to embrace alpinism.
Meanwhile, Dvorak, also an experienced climber, balances her adventures with her role as a teaching assistant at the University of Washington.
Their story serves as a testament to the power of human connection and the resilience required to face life’s most daunting challenges.
Mine Crypto. Earn $GOATS while it is free! Click Here!!