The world of mountaineering is not for the faint of heart. It takes strength, courage, and an unwavering commitment to reaching the top. But the risks are also great, and often climbers can find themselves in life-threatening situations. This was the reality for an Indian climber who fell on Annapurna on the same day that Northern Irish mountaineer Noel Hanna died during an ascent of the same mountain. Despite the odds against him, the Indian climber was rescued and lived to tell the tale. This article explores the incredible story of his rescue, highlighting the bravery and dedication of the rescue teams who worked tirelessly to bring him to safety.
Annapurna Mountain, located in the Himalayas of central Nepal, has claimed the lives of two climbers in the past couple of days. Irish mountaineer Noel Hanna died on Friday, April 23, while an Indian climber fell on the same day as Hanna, but was successfully rescued. Hanna had been attempting to summit Annapurna, which is the tenth highest mountain in the world, but died after reportedly taking a nap and never awakening.
Hanna’s wife, Dr. Lynne Hanna, said in an interview with the Irish Mirror that her husband had been joking and happy just prior to his final ascent. “I think he knew it was a dangerous climb but he also knew his stuff,” she said. “He was just out there loving it. He always made jokes and gave everyone confidence.”
The couple had been married for 30 years and had two adult children. Lynne described her husband as “the most loving, caring person you could ever meet. He was my rock and his sense of humour was second-to-none.”
The Indian climber who fell on the same day as Hanna was rescued after falling into a crevasse. According to BreakingNews.ie, the climber “fell into the crevasse while attempting to summit the mountain and was quickly saved by local guides who were with him. Despite being stuck in the crevasse for a period of time, the climber reportedly suffered only a few bruises.”
In a statement, Indian officials praised the rescuers for their quick action, saying that “all precautions were taken and everyone’s efforts were integrated to ensure that the climber was saved. The rescue mission was conducted amidst adverse weather conditions.”
The Indian climber’s rescue comes just a few months after another high-profile rescue on Annapurna Mountain. In January of this year, a team of Nepalese climbers successfully rescued Malaysian climber Wui Kin Chin from a height of 22,000 feet. Chin had been stranded for two days in sub-zero temperatures before being rescued by the team.
Annapurna Mountain is known for its treacherous conditions, with many climbers perishing on its slopes over the years. Despite this, it remains a popular destination for mountaineers, with several hundred attempting to summit the mountain each year.
Noel Hanna was a well-known figure in the Irish climbing community, having previously summited Mount Everest and other high-profile peaks. He was the subject of a 2019 documentary film called “The Climb,” which chronicled his attempt to summit K2, the second-highest mountain in the world.
Hanna will be laid to rest in his hometown of Kilcoo, County Down, Northern Ireland. His passing has been met with an outpouring of grief from the Irish climbing community and beyond, with many paying tribute to his skill, courage, and sense of humour. As one fellow climber put it, “Noel’s sense of humour and positive spirit was infectious. He was the kind of person who lit up a room, and that’s how we’ll remember him.”
