Rescue Efforts Abandoned for Injured Climber on Kyrgyzstan Peak

Natalia Nagovitsina, a 47-year-old Russian mountaineer, has been stranded on Victory Peak in Kyrgyzstan's Tian Shan mountain range for nearly two weeks after breaking her leg during a descent. Despite multiple rescue attempts, efforts were halted due to severe weather conditions, including temperatures plunging to minus 23C and heavy snowfall, which also led to the death of Italian climber Luca Sinigaglia, who died while delivering supplies to Nagovitsina. Nagovitsina was last spotted alive via drone footage at an altitude of approximately 22,965 feet, just shy of the 24,400-foot summit, but chances of survival are slim given the extreme altitude and harsh environment. The mountain is one of the difficult Snow Leopard peaks, known for its harsh conditions and short climbing season. A video from a 2022 documentary revealed Nagovitsina's acceptance of the risks of mountaineering, where she expressed being 'not afraid to die' but fearful of disability. The search was ultimately suspended due to the worsening weather, and experts have stated that survival at such altitude beyond several days is nearly impossible.