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Bodies of US climbers found in Tibet left untouched 'out of respect', says witness Bodies of US climbers found in Tibet left untouched 'out of respect', says witness
(3 months later)
The bodies of two renowned US climbers, found in Tibet 16 years after they died on one of the world’s tallest mountains, have been left untouched out of respect, one of the mountaineers who found the remains said on Monday.The bodies of two renowned US climbers, found in Tibet 16 years after they died on one of the world’s tallest mountains, have been left untouched out of respect, one of the mountaineers who found the remains said on Monday.
Related: Alex Lowe: mountain maverick who died on a typically audacious mission
Alex Lowe and David Bridges were swept away by an avalanche in 1999, during their attempt to scale the world’s 14th highest peak, Shishapangma.Alex Lowe and David Bridges were swept away by an avalanche in 1999, during their attempt to scale the world’s 14th highest peak, Shishapangma.
Ueli Steck of Switzerland and David Goettler of Germany, who were attempting the same South Face route to the 26,291ft peak, stumbled upon the bodies of the pair, encased in ice, at an altitude of 19,356ft.Ueli Steck of Switzerland and David Goettler of Germany, who were attempting the same South Face route to the 26,291ft peak, stumbled upon the bodies of the pair, encased in ice, at an altitude of 19,356ft.
“The bodies were two meters [6ft] apart,” Steck told Reuters after returning to the Nepali capital of Kathmandu from neighboring Tibet.“The bodies were two meters [6ft] apart,” Steck told Reuters after returning to the Nepali capital of Kathmandu from neighboring Tibet.
A charity run by Lowe’s widow, Jenni Lowe-Anker, announced the find on 2 May.A charity run by Lowe’s widow, Jenni Lowe-Anker, announced the find on 2 May.
Steck and Goettler, who had heard about the disappearance of the climbers on the same route 16 years ago, descended to their advanced base camp, set up at 18,700ft. Goettler called Conrad Anker, who was part of the 1999 expedition, describing their findings.Steck and Goettler, who had heard about the disappearance of the climbers on the same route 16 years ago, descended to their advanced base camp, set up at 18,700ft. Goettler called Conrad Anker, who was part of the 1999 expedition, describing their findings.
“We did not know them and we could not recognize them,” Steck said, outside his hotel in Kathmandu.“We did not know them and we could not recognize them,” Steck said, outside his hotel in Kathmandu.
Based on the description, Anker had little doubt of the identities of the two bodies, as their clothing, boots and backpacks matched the gear Lowe and Bridges had when they disappeared.Based on the description, Anker had little doubt of the identities of the two bodies, as their clothing, boots and backpacks matched the gear Lowe and Bridges had when they disappeared.
“We did not touch them out of respect and left the bodies on the mountain in the same position as we had discovered [them],” said the 40-year-old mountaineer from Interlaken, Switzerland.“We did not touch them out of respect and left the bodies on the mountain in the same position as we had discovered [them],” said the 40-year-old mountaineer from Interlaken, Switzerland.
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Bodies of climbers who perish in the Himalayas remain buried under the snow and emerge as the ice melts or glaciers move.Bodies of climbers who perish in the Himalayas remain buried under the snow and emerge as the ice melts or glaciers move.
Lowe, who was 40, was regarded as the best American mountaineer of his generation when he and Bridges were swept away during an expedition that aimed to ski down Shishapangma.Lowe, who was 40, was regarded as the best American mountaineer of his generation when he and Bridges were swept away during an expedition that aimed to ski down Shishapangma.
Lowe’s accomplishments included two climbs to the top of Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, several first ascents in Antarctica and dozens of less prominent but highly technical ascents.Lowe’s accomplishments included two climbs to the top of Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, several first ascents in Antarctica and dozens of less prominent but highly technical ascents.
Steck and Goettler made two attempts to reach the summit of Shishapangma this month, but failed because of bad weather.Steck and Goettler made two attempts to reach the summit of Shishapangma this month, but failed because of bad weather.