Why is it so difficult and expensive to bring down the bodies of climbers from Mount Everest? How did Hyderabad mountaineer Arun Kumar Tiwari die? Why did Arun Kumar Tiwari’s family decide to leave his mortal remains on Everest? What are the major dangers that Sherpas face in Everest rescue operations?
Hyderabad: It is every climber’s dream to climb Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak. But if someone is not able to go there and return safely, then it becomes a big challenge for both the family and the rescue team. Recently something similar happened when Hyderabad-based mountaineer Arun Kumar Tiwari died while climbing down from the peak. Now his family has decided with a heavy heart that Arun’s mortal remains will remain in the snowy valleys of Everest.
an expensive and risky dream
The entire journey to conquer 8,848.86 meter high Mount Everest takes about 2 months. This costs between Rs 50 lakh to Rs 90 lakh. This includes things like climbing fees, training, expenses of Sherpa guide, necessary equipment and insurance.
difficulty after death
If someone dies while climbing or descending, it is very difficult to bring his body down. The reason for this is that helicopters can fly only up to a height of 6400 meters. If a person (alive or dead) is trapped at this altitude, he can be airlifted and the cost is covered by insurance. But on top of this, if Sherpa has to go to bring the dead body, the insurance company does not pay the money.
Expenses of Rs 1 crore and risk of life
In cases where helicopters cannot reach, Sherpas bring down the body. But this work costs at least Rs 1 crore or more. Same thing happened in the case of Arun Kumar Tiwari. He died just 60 meters below the peak. To bring the dead body from here, a team of at least 10-12 Sherpas would be required. They would have had to go on that dangerous route with oxygen cylinders and other equipment, which would have taken a lot of time. Then the body would have to be found, tied with ropes and brought down. There is a danger of avalanche (snow storm) every moment in this area, which is also a big risk to the lives of Sherpas.
family’s difficult decision
For these reasons the family decided to leave Arun’s body there. According to the family, ‘Even if we had tried to bring the body, its condition would have deteriorated by the time we reached it. Being a mountaineer, Tiwari also had the same wish to remain connected with the Himalayas.
How did he die?
Arun’s health started deteriorating during the climb and he was advised to return. But he refused saying that ‘when the peak is so clearly visible, there is no question of returning.’ He fulfilled his wish and reached the top. But while coming down suddenly he started vomiting blood. The Sherpas present with him tried hard to save him with the help of oxygen mask, but they could not succeed.