"We don't have their coordinates, and that's the main difficulty of the operation." How the search for Belarusians and a Lithuanian missing in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan is progressing

In the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, after ascending Karumdu Peak, a group of three experienced mountaineers went missing: Lithuanian citizen Siarhei Rubtsou and two Belarusians — Maksim Palyanski and Mikalai Svirydau. They have not been in contact since August 2nd. Aliaksandr Smirnou shared on his Facebook how the search is progressing and what difficulties they have encountered. A fundraiser has been opened to assist in the search.

"I am leading the search operation on Kurumdy Peak. I am writing because we won't be able to manage without help," wrote Aliaksandr Smirnou on his Facebook.

On August 1st at 10:30, three climbers ascended Kurumdy Peak, 6613 meters, in the Trans-Alay Range. Maksim Palyanski and Mikalai Svirydau from Belarus, Siarhei Rubtsou from Lithuania. They were following the northern ridge. On August 2nd, they reported that they would be ready to depart on the 4th. There was no further contact. The driver arrived at the agreed-upon location on August 4th and 5th, but the group did not emerge.

Everywhere, August 4th is stated as the date of the last contact. This is an error from the first Ministry of Foreign Affairs report. Contact was made on the 2nd, and they only planned to reach the car by the 4th. A two-day difference changes the entire understanding of the timeline.

We don't have their coordinates, and this is the main difficulty of the operation. The satellite phone did not work throughout the expedition, showing "Invalid position Kyrgyzstan". All communication from the ridge was via a Chinese operator, caught in fragments. Therefore, there are no specific points in the last messages. We are searching along the route, not at a single point.

What has been done: Since August 7th, a rescue team from the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kyrgyzstan has been working, with seven people in the area by evening. Swiss guide Damian, who was here a month ago, is assisting. On August 8th, he launched a drone from an altitude of 4300 meters and found the group's tent in the base camp. There are no people nearby; judging by the equipment, it's a stash the guys left before heading up.

The rescue workers have been provided with the route tracks, coordinates of camps 1, 2, 3, and the предполагаемой descent line. Volunteer mountaineers from Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Switzerland are assisting remotely.

What we've run into: A storm warning is in effect until August 11th, it's snowing in the mountains, and tracks on the slope are no longer visible.

The ground search stopped at the glacier; it's impossible to go onto it with such a forecast. The upper part of the route cannot be surveyed from the ground at all. Further, a helicopter and rescuers capable of working at altitudes of 5400 and 6000 meters are needed.

Now about the money, simply put. The guys have insurance, but search and rescue operations are covered by a separate sub-limit in the policy — 10,000. One helicopter flight to this area completely exhausts it. Everything above that is paid for by the families from their own funds. Therefore, a collection has been opened for: flight hours, work of high-altitude specialists, delivery of people to the area, communication.

I won't promise that we will find them; no one can promise that. But I know these people and I know their level. Maksim and Mikalai have the title "Snow Leopard" — they have ascended all five seven-thousanders of the former USSR.

All three together completed Revolution Peak, which only a few reach. These are not lost tourists. People of this class know how to endure for a long time in an emergency, so searching still makes sense. I will continue the search for as long as we can afford it.

Chronicle by day, requisites, and reports on every expense are available at kurumdy.by. Fundraising is conducted only through the website. We never write first or ask for transfers in personal messages. If you receive such a message, it is a scam.

How you can help, besides money.

"Most of all, we now need people who are already in Kyrgyzstan. Groups and experienced mountaineers who are acclimatized and have a valid border pass, and who are ready to go to the base camp and work with drone operators. We don't have time to process a pass from scratch; it takes ten working days, so only those who are already in the area or nearby can really help. If this applies to you or your acquaintances, please write to me.

We need contacts for helicopters in Osh and for those who have actually flown to the Chong-Alay district," wrote Aliaksandr Smirnou.

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