A north mountain guide and seven other walkers are feared dead after going missing in the Himalayas.
Martin Moran was leading the group on an expedition to climb the 25,600ft Nanda Devi, India’s second highest mountain.
But an air search was launched after the group failed to report in on May 31.
Rescuers were forced to abandon their efforts due to poor visibility and storms, and are expected to go out again today.
It will take days to trek to the last known location of the group – three others from Britain, two from the US, one from Australia and one from India.
https://www.facebook.com/MoranMountain/posts/2185445708240243
Last night, Mr Moran’s family said they were “deeply saddened” as they waited for news, while well-wishers who have been inspired by Mr Moran’s expertise passed on their messages of support.
Mr Moran’s business, Moran Mountain, is based in Achinee, near Strathcarron, has run regular expeditions in the Himalayas since 1992, where he works with local partners.
On May 13, a post on the company’s Facebook page showed the group beginning their trek into the hills at Neem Kharoli Baba temple, Bhowali.
According to an update on May 22, the group had reached their second base camp and were due to make a summit attempt on an unclimbed peak.
https://www.facebook.com/MoranMountain/posts/2147981738653307
However, it is believed an avalanche may have hit the team’s path.
Last night, Mr Moran’s family said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic events unfolding in the Nanda Devi region of the Indian Himalaya.
“As a family, we share the same emotions that all next of kin are experiencing in not knowing the whereabouts or wellbeing of those closest to us.
“The climbing group had set out to attempt an unclimbed, unnamed summit, peak 21,250 ft, and the last contact intimated that all was well and a summit bid would be made from a camp at around 17,716 ft.
“It is not entirely clear what happened from this point onwards or indeed the timeline of events.”
It is understood that another British mountain guide raised the alarm when the expedition did not return to base camp.
1/2 The ‘British Association of Mountain Guides’ (BMG) have been made aware of an incident on or near Nanda Devi East where BMG member, IFMGA Mountain Guide, Martin Moran was leading six clients and an Indian National. The BMG is assisting where possible and is in contact…
— Brit Mountain Guides (@Brit_Mt_Guides) June 1, 2019
2/2 …with the Indian authorities.
At the moment this is all the information we have as communication is very difficult. We will update this post when more reliable facts have been established.
BMG President, Mark Charlton.
— Brit Mountain Guides (@Brit_Mt_Guides) June 1, 2019
The statement continued: “There was clear evidence that a sizeable avalanche had occurred on the mountain and it seemed to be on or very near the route that would be taken by the climbing group.
“The mountain guide gave instructions to base camp to alert rescue authorities. The alarm was raised early on Friday morning, May 31.
“Yesterday we have been informed by the Indian Mountaineering Federation that an air search by helicopter has revealed the scale of the avalanche but no sign of the climbers, their equipment nor their tents.
“We are pressing for the search area to be widened and continued until such time as firm evidence is found to ascertain the well-being or otherwise of all those in the climbing group.”
Later today I head off for a month in India (holiday) and China (work). I think this may be the longest period in which I haven’t checked my email since I started my PhD in 2002. Excited and a bit nervous! pic.twitter.com/LJzxVoRFce
— Richard Payne (@peatniks) May 9, 2019
Vijay Kumar Jogdande, a civil administrator in northern India’s Uttarakhand state, said rescuers would be advised by four other team members who stayed back at the second base camp and were brought down yesterday.”
An Indian air force spokesman said: “Today’s search has not hinted any results. We have not been able to spot any people or any gear or any clothing. It’s not looking too good.”
As the anxious wait for news continued, mountaineers who have learned from Mr Moran said their thoughts were with his family.
David Leonard wrote online: “Wishing deeply for a positive outcome to this scenario. Martin has influenced an entire generation (or more) of British alpinists, and I certainly owe him a huge debt of gratitude for his teaching and leadership as I started out.”
Paul Gillies added: “He and his 80s books were inspirational and instructional to me. Just hoping for good news…”
And Nicholas Chee wrote: “Martin has influenced climbing far beyond the UK. Really sad to hear. Stay hopeful, stay strong.”
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Mark Charlton, president of the British Association of Mountain Guides (BMG), said in a post on the organisation’s Facebook page that Mr Moran had been leading six clients and an Indian national.
“The BMG is assisting where possible and is in contact with the Indian authorities,” he said.
“At the moment this is all the information we have as communication is very difficult.”
A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said: “We are in contact with the Indian authorities following reports that a number of British nationals are missing in the Indian Himalayas. We will do all we can to assist any British people who need our help.”