After successful ascent, one of the best Slovak climbers dies in Himalayas

Together with Czech partner, they were first to ascend Lantang Lirung via its east face.

By: sme.sk

Nov 04 2024
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After successful ascent, one o

Last week, one of the best Slovak mountain climbers died in the Himalayas while descending a peak.

On October 30, the Slovak Ondrej Huserka and his Czech partner Marek Holeček made the first successful ascent of Lantang Lirung via the peak's east face. While descending from the 7,234-metre high peak the following day, Huserka fell into a glacier's crevasse, probably after ice broke beneath him.

Taking to social media, Holeček said that he first heard strange noises and realised Huserka had disappeared. After some time, the former heard a call for help from inside the glacier and immediately climbed down into the crevasse. Huserka was trapped in a narrow space upside down. It took Holeček two hours to remove Húserka.

Ondrej Húserka first from right. (Source: TASR)

Unfortunately for the Slovak climber, he could not feel his legs, his hands completely stiff, eyelids swollen. He apparently seriously damaged his spine during the fall and would not have been able to climb out of the crevasse.

The Czech climber then made it to base camp and a rescue effort was put together. However, due to bad weather and unfavourable conditions a helicopter with professional rescuers and volunteers was unable to take off. Since the conditions were expected to continue, the rescue effort had to be postponed.

"Given the personal phone conversation with Marek Holeček and his Saturday post, as well as the weather situation below Langtang Lirung, the family, loved ones and friends will have to come to terms with the fact that Ondrej is no longer with us. A humble and great friend, arguably a top class alpinist, has passed away prematurely. Let's keep the memory of him alive from the moments when he was spreading positivity and his ever-present smile around," the Slovak Mountaineering Union 'James' wrote on social media.

Húserka was 34 years old and was always on the lookout for challenging rock and ice walls. He made many important ascents in Patagonia, the Pamirs, the Himalayas, as well as the Alps and Dolomites. He won the SHS JAMES award for best ascent of the year six times.

Post by shs.james.official.