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immanti
climber
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Topic Author's Original Post - Oct 26, 2006 - 12:53am PT
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Here is what I know:
Andres Delgado, 37 years old and a resident of central Mexico, and his climbing partner Alfonso de la Parra, have been missing somewhere in the Himalayan range since October 13, when they were due back at camp. Their supplies, if stretched to the limit, would have at best lasted them until yesterday. Andres was an experienced climber and alpinist and had a long list of summits, including Everest and Cerro Torre.
I am not an alpinist, but I talked to Andres before he left last September 17. The mountain they were going to attempt to climb is called Changa Bang, where they would attempt a new route on the north face. We know they summitted and got most of the way back to the highest camp because they called Andres's wife via satellite phone. They were tired but happy. Then a storm rolled in and no one has heard from them again.
To both of the missing climbers' families and friends : Estamos con ustedes, rezamos por ellos.
Dario Piana
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matisse
climber
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Oct 26, 2006 - 01:44am PT
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Oh no.
I met Andres several years ago, but had lost touch with him. He is a teriffic guy.
I really hope he is OK.
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GhoulweJ
Trad climber
Sacramento, CA
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Oct 26, 2006 - 12:32pm PT
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Godspeed.
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immanti
climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 27, 2006 - 01:08am PT
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UPDATE:
A search party is out looking for Andres and Alfonso, Carlos Carsolio is joining the search as well.
Apparently they had put up a new route and were descending down the so called Fowler route.
Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Dario
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gumbygal
climber
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Oct 31, 2006 - 10:53pm PT
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I worked with Alfonso for a year at Rio Y Montana. He is an intelligent and savvy climber, a good man and a friend. Everyone in Mexico is a bit frantic so I am having trouble getting any up-to-date information. Does anyone know anything since the last posts a few days ago? I know his partner, Waldemar Franco, was also going to India to help with the ground search. Any news of any kind would be appreciated. Will keep praying.
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immanti
climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 31, 2006 - 11:24pm PT
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Unfortunate news: After searching for Alfonso and Andres for a few days, Carlos Carsolio said during an interview today that this was going to be a recovery operation rather than search and rescue. Although a miracle is still hoped for, he says it is very unlikely that they will be found alive.
There is a lot of speculation about what might have happened to the two, but most centers around the possibility that they fell into a crevasse.
Our thoughts and hearts go out to their friends and families.
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gumbygal
climber
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That is devastating news. I am heartbroken. Thank you for the information. Do you know how long they plan to continue the recovery search? Do they have any idea where they may be at all? Thanks again for keeping the post. Alfonso has an amazing family... his son is just like him, full of life and smiles. If you hear any more details, please let me know.
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immanti
climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 4, 2006 - 10:03pm PT
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Here is the latest:
"(MountEverest.net) Hopes are fading to find the Mexican climbers who went missing on Changabang (Indian Himalaya) three weeks ago. Yesterday, the air search was aborted and now a small team will look for the mountaineers on foot.
Descending the original British line
Alfonso de la Parra and Andres Delgado were last seen by a Czech team on the summit ridge.
“Tomáš ‘Houba’ Rinn and Péta Skalka saw Alfonso and Andres on the summit ridge,” the Czechs’ home team reported on Lezec.cz. “Both teams climbed at the same time along the left part of the North face. Eventually, health problems forced them back after about 1100 meters of hard climbing. Tomáš and Péta rappelled down the line of ascent with no further problems, but the Mexicans decided to descend the peak from the other (south) side, across unknown terrain.”
“They took the route followed by a British team on the peak’s first ascent - It was a long descent and probably proved fatal for them.”
Air search ends without finding trace
Rescue teams hoped the climbers descended from the summit, and were stranded in the area. However, the search helicopters found no trace of the mountaineers and fears are that the climbers might have fallen to their deaths or were buried by an avalanche on descent from the summit ridge.
Andres Delgado and Alfonso de la Parra left Mexico on September 17. Their goal was to open a new route on Changabang, Indian Himalaya. They hoped to climb alpine style and expected to remain 8-10 days on the wall. The climbers last made contact via sat-phone from the mountain on October 13.
De la Parra summited Everest in 1992, at the age of 29 as did Delgado, at the age of 28 in 1997, according to statistics on file with the Mexican Alpine Club."
I am so sorry to hear this. Devastating news for their friends and families, our hearts go out to you.
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