Two injured Russian climbers rescued from Gasherbrum IV after three-day ordeal

By Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities rescued two Russian climbers from Gasherbrum IV, the world’s 17th highest mountain, on Tuesday, after a snow avalanche stranded them at an altitude of 6,400 meters for three days, killing one of their team members.

Mikhail Mironov and Sergei Mironov, part of a five-member team, were airlifted to an advanced base camp at 6,000 meters (19,685 feet), from Gasherbrum IV, a 7,925-meter (26,001-foot) peak in northern Pakistan after spending over three days at an altitude of 6,400 meters, tour operator of the Russian climbers and local authorities in the Gilgit-Baltistan region said.

The climbers, who were attempting to retrieve the body of Dmitry Golovchenko, missing on the mountain since 2023, were hit by an avalanche on Saturday. Two team members, Alexy Bautin and Evgeni Lablokov, were rescued on Sunday, while Sergei Nilov lost his life.

The injured climbers, suffering from leg and arm injuries, possibly including fractures, are out of danger, according to their tour operator.

Rescue efforts were repeatedly delayed due to harsh weather conditions.

A team comprising four Pakistani high-altitude porters and a Russian climber, previously rescued from Skardu on Saturday, participated in the operation. The Russian climber was familiar with the location of the injured mountaineers, who maintained contact with the base camp via satellite phone.

The rescue team was dropped off by Army Aviation helicopters at 6,000 meters on Sunday. They climbed to reach the stranded climbers, providing food and necessities, before bringing them down.

Bad weather foiled plans to airlift the climbers to Skardu on Tuesday, but Army Aviation helicopters are expected to attempt the flight on Wednesday.

The incident marks the latest mishap in the region, which boasts some of the world’s highest peaks and attracts hundreds of tourists annually. Last week, Pakistani climber Murad Sadpara succumbed to head injuries sustained while descending Broad Peak Mountain.

This summer, five Japanese climbers and a Brazilian paraglider perished in separate incidents in the Karakoram Mountain range.