The Russian Mountaineering Federation reports that efforts are underway to reach Nadezhda Oleneva, who recently fell from a mountain in Nepal, with a helicopter operated by Sports Express as the planned transport for the rescue operation.
According to FAR, the rescue team has not yet been able to locate or access Oleneva in the valley. Officials said that the possibility of landing a helicopter at the climber’s location is currently under assessment. The federation noted that rescue operations will commence once there is an agreement with the helicopter carrier and weather conditions permit safe flight. This careful coordination underscores the reliance on suitable air support and stable atmospheric conditions to minimize risk during high-altitude recovery attempts.
On October 14, The Himalayan Times reported that Oleneva likely fell into a crevasse while ascending Dhaulagiri, a peak in Nepal. She was part of a trio moving at an altitude around 6680 meters when the incident occurred. The news timeline emphasizes the perilous nature of high-altitude mountaineering, where crevasse terrain and atmospheric pressures can quickly shift from routine to dangerous. The surviving climbers and support teams have remained engaged in the ongoing assessment and response plan as information continues to filter in from field teams.
Two other climbers, Roman Abildaev and Rasim Kashapov, were also on the expedition alongside Oleneva. They had targeted summiting a mountain reaching 8167 meters, with the remainder of the team staying above base camp as the situation unfolded. The dynamic at extreme elevations means that guidance from experienced guides, expedition leaders, and local authorities remains essential to ensure a coordinated and safe approach to any rescue or continued climbing activities. This incident highlights the heightened awareness required when groups push into the world’s most demanding mountaineering environments.
Oleneva had earned recognition as the 2022 Russian mountaineering champion and is noted to be 38 years old. The profile of her career reflects a long-standing commitment to high-altitude sport and the leadership roles often taken by athletes in the field. The rescue efforts and the broader coverage draw attention to the resilience and preparedness required of climbers, as well as the critical importance of rapid, well-coordinated response capabilities when accidents occur far from base areas. The ongoing situation remains a topic of concern among the climbing community and regional authorities who monitor expedition safety at the highest altitudes.
Earlier updates indicated that rescuers still faced obstacles preventing a direct landing to reach Oleneva. The current strategy continues to balance technical feasibility with safety considerations, waiting for weather improvements and a confirmed airside plan before advancing. This approach aligns with standard emergency procedures in mountaineering rescue operations, where the window for a successful airlift is narrow and highly weather-dependent. The case has drawn attention to the risks endured by climbers who push toward the edges of human capability and the need for robust support networks that can respond quickly when a fall or crevasse incident occurs.