Samagaun, Gorkha — November 3: A highly skilled rescue team led by renowned Nepali mountain guide Narendra Shahi Thakuri has departed for the Manaslu region to conduct a daring search and rescue mission on Panpari Himal (6,887 metres), where two Italian climbers have been missing since October 28.
According to the Nepal National Mountain Guides Association (NNMGA), the rescue mission comprises two senior IFMGA-certified guides — Narendra Shahi (Naren) and Pasang Kaji Sherpa — along with aspirant guide Kusang Sherpa. They are joined by Vatler Perlino, the expedition leader of the Italian team. The team left Kathmandu for Samagaun of Gorkha early this morning, carrying specialized search equipment and high-altitude gear.
Shahi, one of Nepal’s most experienced and respected international mountain guides, has led numerous complex rescue missions in the Himalayas. Known for his leadership and technical expertise, Shahi expressed his determination to locate and bring back the missing climbers despite adverse weather and challenging terrain.
The missing mountaineers — Farronato Stefano and Caputo Alessandro — were part of the Italian Panpari Q7 Expedition organized by Sherpa Alpine Trekking Service in Kathmandu. The pair reportedly went missing after being trapped in heavy snowfall at Camp I on October 28. Since then, they have remained out of communication, raising serious concern among mountaineering circles in both Nepal and Italy.
The Department of Tourism confirmed that the search operation is being conducted under difficult conditions following Cyclone Montha, which brought widespread snowfall and rain across the Himalayas, disrupting most climbing and trekking activities for the past week.
The NNMGA has praised the swift mobilization of Shahi and his team, calling it a testament to Nepal’s growing leadership and professionalism in high-altitude search and rescue operations.
“Rescue missions like this demonstrate the courage and humanitarian spirit of Nepal’s mountain guides,” an NNMGA representative said. “Under the leadership of Narendra Shahi, we are hopeful that the operation will bring results.”
The team is expected to reach Samagaun later today and begin the aerial and ground-based search from early tomorrow, depending on weather conditions.
