CHANGABANG 2006
Area:Kumaon Himalaya
Height:6864 m
Team 1 :Czech Republic
Leader:Tomas Rinn
Summary
In the months of September / October 2006, seven Czech climbers attempted the north face of Changabang. But they could reach only up to 6200 m.
Team 2:Mexican
Leader:Andres Delgado Caldernon
Summary
(Accident in Changabang)
The leader with another member, Alphonso De La Patra, began the attempt on 1st October. They were celebrated climbers from Mexico and had a vast experience in mountain climbing and travel. It appears that they finished the climb on the West face and returned to base. (Their route was little variation of the Kurtayka Route of the West Face) They spoke to their family and friends in Mexico via a satellite phone. They were last seen on the col between Changabang and Kalanka by the leader of the Czech expedition attempting Changabang. It is not known what their plans were, after the ascent.
Both the climbers were missing for several days when an alarm was sounded. Indian Air Force helicopters conducted aerial searches . They could neither locate the climbers nor find any trace. The Indo-Tibet Border Police team on ground also could not make much headway, as they did not have details of exact location. - Whether the Mexicans had tried to descend into the Northern Sanctuary of the Nanda Devi or had taken some other route was not known.
Finally the rescue attempts were called off due to bad weather and fresh snow. Search for their remains will resume once summer arrives though there is not much hope of their being alive.