Slovak mountaineer Ondrej Huserka tragically lost his life on the descent from Langtang Lirung, a 7,234-meter peak in Nepal, following a historic first ascent via its east face. The Slovak climbers association, SHS James, confirmed the incident on Sunday.
Huserka, a seasoned mountaineer with expeditions in the Alps, Patagonia, Pamir Mountains, and the Himalayas, fell into a glacier crevasse on Thursday. His climbing partner, Czech mountaineer Marek Holecek, revealed that the duo had achieved a groundbreaking ascent of Langtang Lirung before the fatal accident.
Despite an immediate call for a rescue mission, adverse weather prevented helicopters from taking off, SHS James reported. Holecek, devastated by the loss, shared details of the incident in an emotional social media post.
“He fell eight meters onto a slanted surface and continued deeper into the glacier’s labyrinth,” Holecek wrote. “I rappelled down to him and stayed with him for four hours until his light faded. There was nothing more I could do.”
Acknowledging the ongoing harsh conditions at Langtang Lirung, SHS James stated, “The family and friends must now face the reality that Ondrej is no longer with us.”
The 34-year-old Huserka, celebrated as one of Slovakia’s finest mountaineers, was described by SHS James as a world-class climber and a humble friend. Slovak daily SME also paid tribute, highlighting his exceptional achievements.
Langtang Lirung, the world’s 99th tallest mountain, is known for its challenges. By July 2023, only 14 of 51 teams had successfully reached its summit, with 16 climbers losing their lives. In 2009, Slovenian mountaineer Tomaz Humar also perished on its slopes.
Huserka’s untimely demise follows another tragedy just weeks earlier when five Russian climbers fell to their deaths on Nepal’s seventh-highest peak.
