Tenjen Sherpa and Migmar Sherpa Die Guiding Clients on Shishapangma
The climbing community is mourning after two avalanches killed four climbers, including two guides and two clients
Two experienced high altitude mountain guides have died in separate avalanches on Shishapangma in one of the biggest Himalayan tragedies of recent memory.
Migmar Sherpa and his American client Anna Gutu died in one avalanche, and Tenjen Sherpa and his American client Gina Marie Rzucidlo died in another. Gutu and Rzucidlo were in a competition to become the first American woman to climb the 14 8,000-metre peaks. They had both separately climbed 13 and were on the final summit push of their 14th.
Both guides were hired by expedition companies, with Migmar Sherpa working for Elite Exped, and Tenjen Sherpa working for Seven Summit Treks. Officials have now closed Shishapangma for the foreseeable future. Several other climbers were also injured in the avalanche and rescue efforts.
Earlier this year, Tenjen Sherpa set the record for guiding and climbing the 14 8,000-metre peaks in only 92 days; he was accompanied by his client Kristin Harila. Questions had already been raised this year about whether racing up mountains to achieve titles should be allowed, this tragic event will hopefully lead to solid rules that limit or ban such competitions.
Check out the latest buyer's guide:
