Two Japanese Climbers Missing on Gangapurna West in Nepal

Two Japanese climbers have been missing for a week on Gangapurna West in Nepal, and officials said on Thursday that a helicopter search is under way in Manang district.

The climbers are Hidesuke Taneishi and Tetsu Hashimoto. Japanese media named them, ExplorersWeb reported. They have been missing since October 15 on Gangapurna West, in the Annapurna region.

Officials last had contact with them at about 7,100 metres, or 23,293 feet, a week ago, Reuters reported, quoting the chief district officer of Manang on Thursday, October 22.

A peak that has never been climbed

The pair were attempting Gangapurna West, a peak of 7,140 metres, or 23,425 feet, that has never been climbed, according to ExplorersWeb. Reuters also gives the height of the mountain as 7,140 metres.

The two climbers are from Tokyo. They climbed with a Nepali guide and arranged the expedition through Cosmo Adventure, a company based in Kathmandu, The Tourism Times reported, citing police. Their guide informed the company on October 16 that contact had been lost, according to the police account reported by The Tourism Times.

The families of the climbers have been informed, The Tourism Times reported.

Search finds a bag, but no sign of the climbers

Helicopter rescuers have found no sign of the pair apart from what appeared to be their bag near the summit, Reuters reported. Police said a bag and a walking stick used by the climbers were found during the search, The Tourism Times reported.

The chief district officer of Manang confirmed that a helicopter search and rescue operation is under way. Authorities are discussing whether to conduct another rescue operation on Friday, Reuters reported.

The condition of the two climbers is unknown.

Another team searched the mountain this month

A Russian team reached the mountain earlier this month and found no sign of the Japanese climbers, ExplorersWeb reported. Bad weather forced the Russian climbers down from a summit attempt at 6,800 metres.

A major storm hit the mountains of Nepal three weeks ago, ExplorersWeb reported. The report did not link that storm directly to the disappearance of Taneishi and Hashimoto, and officials have not given a cause for the loss of contact.

Gangapurna West stands in a remote part of Manang district, north of the main Annapurna range. Rescue work at that height depends on weather, wind and visibility, and helicopter crews can work only in short windows when conditions allow.

For now, the search rests on the few facts officials can confirm. Contact stopped at high altitude on October 15. A guide raised the alarm the next day. Search crews later found climbing gear, but they did not find the climbers. District officials in Manang say the helicopter work continues, and a decision on another operation on Friday is still under discussion.