The president of the Lithuanian Mountaineering Association Aurimas Kavaliauskas told 15min that this climb was organized privately, not by the association.
“It was a private trip, the association did not organize it,” said the president of the Lithuanian Mountaineering Association.
According to him, Mount Kurumdy is difficult, which also makes it hard for rescuers. “It is quite remote, technically challenging to climb, and at a high altitude. Moreover, it is difficult for rescuers because local Kyrgyz do not have a helicopter – if needed, it usually comes from Kazakhstan or somewhere else. The weather conditions have been very bad this past week – heavy snowfall,” said A. Kavaliauskas.
He confirmed that only experienced climbers usually dare to climb to the Kurumdy summit. “I can only confirm that all three missing climbers were sufficiently experienced, by no means beginners,” the speaker said.
According to him, it is not possible to speculate about what happened and what the outcome of the search will be. However, there is definitely a chance that everything will end happily.
“In the recordings of the Belarusian rescuers organizing the rescue operations, I saw that they believe they will find (the climbers alive – ed.). One of the versions is that they descended to the other side of the mountain and simply have no connection or means to return,” said A. Kavaliauskas.
Read more Incidents in Kaunas center: Evacuation in «Akropolis», gas pipe damaged on the street
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) announced on Tuesday that the last known location of the Lithuanian Sergejus Rubcov, who went missing in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan a few days ago, has been identified, reports BNS.
Kyrgyz media report that a group of three climbers flew to Osh on July 20, arranged border permits, and set off to the starting point of the route in the Kyzyl-Suu river gorge. Due to problems with the satellite phone, communication was maintained only sporadically via a Chinese mobile operator.
On July 27–28, the climbers began the ascent, and on August 1 successfully reached the 6613-meter-high Kurumdy summit.
The group last communicated on August 2, reporting that they would start descending to the base camp on August 4. However, the climbers did not appear at the scheduled time, and then communication with them was lost.
Relatives of the missing Lithuanian and Belarusians are collecting support for the rescue operation:
Support details:
Swedbank
Recipient: Artur Rubcov (brother)
IBAN: LT09 7300 0101 7113 0107
Payment purpose: Support
Revolut
Recipient: Artur Rubcov
IBAN: LT Revolut :
LT393250071810428655
BIC / SWIFT: REVOLT21
Note: Support
Those unable to contribute financially are asked to share the support request message with those who might be able to help.
Read more „Energesman“ sued VAATC over contract termination in court
