First Arunachal Climber To Scale Mt Everest Missing Near China Border

Tapi Mra, the first mountaineer from Arunachal Pradesh to climb Mount Everest, has reportedly been missing since he set out seven days ago on an expedition in the state's East Kameng district, not far from the border with China.

Tapi Mra's associate Niku Dao, who went with him, is also missing. The two were heading to the snow-capped Mount Kyarisatam in the Eastern Himalayas, to climb Arunachal Pradesh's highest snow-capped peak, "Khyarw Satam", at an altitude of 6,900 meters.

A massive search operation has been launched to find the missing mountaineers. Two military helicopters have also been called in. With bad weather halting the search, a team was sent out on foot.

It takes about six to seven days to trek through dense forests to the base camp of Khyarw Satam, located at an altitude of about 5,000 meters.

On Tuesday, state Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Mama Natung said, "The rescue operation has been stopped due to bad weather, and the administration has been directed to carry out a search operation on foot."

Mountaineering and paragliding associations have urged Chief Minister Pema Khandu for help to trace 37-year-old Mra.

Two Puroik porters, who had accompanied Mra for summiting Mount Kyarisatam, had informed the administration about the mountaineer and his associate after they returned to Seppa.

Tapi Mra climbed the highest peak of the world on May 21, 2009.