Tokyo: PonteSud – News Desk
A Japanese woman was confirmed dead and another rescued alive after the two became stranded on Mount Huascaran, Peru’s highest mountain, a Tokyo-based group supporting the climbers said Thursday.
Mountaineer Chiaki Inada, 40, died after she and Saki Terada, 35, called for rescue Tuesday from around 6,600 meters up the 6,768-meter-high mountain. Terada is believed to be able to walk, according to Wilderness Medical Associates Japan, which is coordinating with local rescuers.
The pair, who arrived in Peru in early June, were experienced climbers, with Inada also working as a mountain doctor. They had thoroughly prepared for the ascent, a source familiar with them said.
When they called for rescue, Inada was unable to move, possibly due to hypothermia, according to the group to which Inada belonged.
Mount Huascaran is one of the most challenging mountains to climb in South America, according to local media.
Rescue efforts were hampered by snow-covered terrain, poor weather and thin air. Helicopters were also unable to reach the climbers’ altitude.
The two were found 37 hours after they became unable to move. Inada, a Yamanashi Prefecture resident west of Tokyo, was confirmed dead at the scene.
In Tokyo, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said the Japanese embassy in Peru is working closely with local authorities to provide as much support as possible to the families.
