A Japanese climber died and rescue teams saved another during a dangerous expedition on Peru's highest peak. Authorities confirmed Thursday that Chiaki Inada, aged 40, lost his life to freezing temperatures after becoming stranded with fellow mountaineer Saki Terada, 36. The two climbers faced severe weather conditions and thick fog Monday at more than 21,000 feet above sea level on Huascaran mountain. Emergency crews located both climbers using GPS technology from equipment they carried with them. Terada survived the ordeal and received immediate medical care.
The mountaineers had traveled from Japan two weeks before their climb and chose to attempt the ascent without professional guides. General Antonio Loreno, who leads police operations for the Ancash region, spoke to TV Peru about the rescue mission. He confirmed that teams would recover Inada's body the following day. Huascaran rises more than 22,000 feet high within the Cordillera Blanca mountain range and attracts adventurers from many countries. The peak presents serious challenges even for experienced climbers.
Recent weeks have brought multiple tragedies to the same mountain region. Rescue workers discovered three climbers' remains Sunday after the victims stayed missing for over 20 days following an avalanche. Last July, searchers found the preserved body of American mountaineer William Stampfl. He had vanished during an avalanche on Huascaran more than two decades earlier. The mountain continues drawing climbers despite its proven dangers.
The mountaineers had traveled from Japan two weeks before their climb and chose to attempt the ascent without professional guides. General Antonio Loreno, who leads police operations for the Ancash region, spoke to TV Peru about the rescue mission. He confirmed that teams would recover Inada's body the following day. Huascaran rises more than 22,000 feet high within the Cordillera Blanca mountain range and attracts adventurers from many countries. The peak presents serious challenges even for experienced climbers.
Recent weeks have brought multiple tragedies to the same mountain region. Rescue workers discovered three climbers' remains Sunday after the victims stayed missing for over 20 days following an avalanche. Last July, searchers found the preserved body of American mountaineer William Stampfl. He had vanished during an avalanche on Huascaran more than two decades earlier. The mountain continues drawing climbers despite its proven dangers.
