Stranded on the Summit The Harrowing Rescue of Two Female Climbers in the Himalayas

Fay Manners and Michelle Dvorak were poised to make history as the first climbers to summit an unclimbed peak in India’s Uttarakhand state. At over 6,000 meters (about 20,000 feet), their journey on Chaukhamba III turned disastrous when a falling rock severed the rope carrying Manners’ bag, plunging vital supplies into the abyss.

“Seeing the bag go down the mountain was shocking,” Manners recounted from New Delhi after their miraculous rescue. “It felt like our dreams were falling down the mountain with it.”

The duo’s ambitious expedition began on September 27, marked by a grueling approach through treacherous crevasses and unstable snow bridges. “We had one more day to reach the summit, and we were so close,” Manners reflected, highlighting the meticulous preparation and training that had gone into their quest.

However, their aspirations were abruptly halted as they found themselves stranded without essential gear, including their tent, stove, food, and climbing equipment. With climbing back down nearly impossible, they turned to emergency services for help, only to learn the full extent of their predicament when helicopters failed to locate them.

A Desperate Situation

Faced with the harsh realities of their situation, Manners and Dvorak survived on just two energy bars and limited snowmelt water. Conditions worsened as a snowstorm enveloped them, temperatures plummeted to –15 degrees Celsius (5 degrees Fahrenheit), and they endured relentless hail and the threat of avalanches.

“I was close to hypothermia,” Manners recalled, describing how they huddled together in a wet sleeping bag, fighting to stay warm. “That sleeping bag saved our lives.”

A Hopeful Rescue

Recognizing they had to take action, the climbers began their descent despite the fog and treacherous conditions. Their resolve paid off when they spotted a group of French mountaineers, who had also aimed for the summit and were sent to assist them after Indian authorities struggled to locate the stranded climbers.

Manners’ emotional response was palpable: “All my emotions came out at once, and I had some tears in my eyes.” With the help of their rescuers, they made their way to the French base camp, where they gratefully accepted cheese brought from France.

Three days after their harrowing ordeal began, the Indian Air Force successfully airlifted Manners and Dvorak to a nearby hospital. Both climbers emerged uninjured and eager to return home. Their challenging experience has only fueled Manners’ passion for mountaineering, and she remains determined to attempt the summit again next year, possibly alongside the French team that rescued them.

Manners hopes their story serves as an inspiration for women and girls pursuing adventure sports. “We got really close to the top, and when things went awry, we managed to survive through a terrible situation,” she affirmed. “I want people to see us as strong women who faced adversity and kept going.”

As they recover and reflect on their journey, Manners and Dvorak are a testament to resilience and determination in the face of unimaginable challenges. Their incredible tale reminds us that even in the most desperate of circumstances, hope and camaraderie can shine through.