A rescue operation to save Natalia Nagovitsyna, a well-known climber stranded near the summit of Victory Peak, has been paused due to worsening weather. Natalia became trapped after breaking her leg on August 12 while descending the 24,400-foot mountain, the highest peak in the Tian Shan range on the Kyrgyzstan-China border.
Although a fellow group of climbers managed to reach her initially and supplied basic aid, they could not assist her descent because of the harsh conditions. Over nearly two weeks, multiple rescue attempts, including helicopter missions and an effort by Italian mountaineer Luca Sinigaglia, were made to reach her.
Tragically, during these efforts, a rescue helicopter crashed, and Sinigaglia died on August 15 amid the severe weather. Recovery of his body has been impossible so far.
A drone spotted Natalia close to the summit on August 19, and officials believed she was still alive at that time. However, on August 23, the rescue was halted due to heavy snowfall and plunging temperatures near minus 30 Celsius.
Local authorities explained that although they know her precise location, the terrain and altitude make rescuing her incredibly difficult. Kyrgyzstan lacks helicopters capable of evacuations at such extreme heights.
Natalia’s ordeal echoes a prior tragedy when her husband, Sergei Nagovitsyn, died during a mountaineering rescue attempt on a different peak. She famously stayed with him until help arrived, highlighting her strength in the face of danger.
The climbing community remains deeply affected by these events as weather continues to challenge efforts.
