Nepal Nightmare: Highest Helicopter Mission

Podcast Title: Real Survival Stories
Host: John Hopkins
Production: Joel Duddell, Ed Baranski, Luke Lonergan, Miri Pitman Latham, Rob Plummer, Cian Ryan-Morgan, Cody Reynolds-Shaw
Music Composed By: Oliver Baines, Dorry Macaulay, Tom Pink
Release Date: October 31, 2024

Introduction to the Rescue Mission

In the chilling episode titled "Nepal Nightmare: Highest Helicopter Mission," host John Hopkins delves into one of the most daring and unprecedented rescue operations ever attempted in the Himalayas. This mission pits two elite Swiss mountain rescuers, Richie Lehner and Daniel Auftenblatten, against the formidable Annapurna Massif, one of the deadliest peaks in the world.

The story begins on the morning of April 29, 2010, high above the pristine slopes of Annapurna in Nepal. A lone helicopter, battling violent winds and thin air, carries Richie Lehner suspended by a 90-foot rope, struggling to maintain control in one of the most challenging environments imaginable.

[02:17] Richie Lehner: "We knew that one of the biggest risks, especially for me hanging underneath the helicopter, was for sure the leak of oxygen and not being acclimatized at this altitude. My oxygen bottle was almost empty and I knew I have a big problem."

Background on the Rescue Team

Richie Lehner

Richie Lehner, a 38-year-old mountain rescue expert from Zermatt, Switzerland, comes from a lineage of mountain guides. With over 400 rescues under his belt, Richie embodies the spirit and resilience required for high-altitude emergencies.

[07:06] Richie Lehner: "Annapurna, in general, it's quite a dangerous mountain, one of the most dangerous 8,000-meter peaks because it has a lot of ice seracs, ice falling, avalanches, and it's a very steep face."

Daniel Auftenblatten

Daniel Auftenblatten, aged 35, is one of Switzerland's top helicopter pilots with more than a decade of experience. His passion for aviation and rescue operations complements Richie's expertise on the ground.

[08:36] Daniel Auftenblatten: "When I sit in that helicopter, I feel like I'm at home on my couch. It's just a place where I feel extremely comfortable. You have the opportunity to help people."

The Rescue Mission

In April 2010, Richie and Daniel were in Nepal not primarily for a rescue mission but to train local rescuers in the long line rescue technique—a method crucial for rescues in terrains where helicopters cannot land. Their training was abruptly interrupted when a Spanish-led expedition of six climbers became stranded at an elevation of approximately 7,000 meters on Annapurna.

[04:42] John Hopkins: "What's being asked of them is immense. Simply put, it'll be the highest helicopter mountain rescue ever attempted. So how do you pull off a rescue where even helicopters struggle to stay in the air? And how do you save lives when your own hangs in the balance?"

Challenges Faced

Extreme Altitude and Weather

Annapurna stands at 26,545 feet (8,091 meters), making it one of the most treacherous peaks globally. The rescue team faced thin air with oxygen levels less than half of those at sea level, making helicopter operation exceedingly difficult.

[12:00] Richie Lehner: "They pushed it to the limit time-wise because they got too laid up to the summit. And then the weather changed. There was a lot of wind picking up and people were really exhausted after the long climb at 8,000 meters."

Helicopter Limitations

Their Airbus AS350 helicopter, although capable of handling extreme altitudes, was being pushed beyond its expected limits. The aircraft struggled to maintain lift in the harsh conditions, exacerbated by unpredictable wind patterns.

[13:40] Daniel Auftenblatten: "Who needs a helicopter capable of flying at 7,000 meters? It's one area in the world, it's the Himalayas. Nobody else ever has to go that high. So that was a limit that we set to ourselves before we went to Nepal."

The Rescue Attempts

Initial Attempt and Setback

The first attempt to land near the stranded climbers was thwarted by thick fog and strong winds, forcing Richie and Daniel to abandon the mission for the day.

[17:14] Richie Lehner: "We always try to do our best and go as far as we can. But on the other hand, we also have to always think about us and then a lot of times we have to stop and now we have to turn back."

Decision to Pursue a Long Line Rescue

Determined to save the climbers, the team decided to strip the helicopter of unnecessary weight and employ the long line rescue technique, despite the immense risks involved. This method required Richie to hang nearly 100 feet below the helicopter, exposed to the brutal elements.

[27:16] Daniel Auftenblatten: "Basically, the wind can be your friend if it's predictable... But you have somebody attached to the helicopter, which reduces your flexibility quite a lot."

Success and Tragedy

After multiple attempts fraught with peril, Danny successfully rescues two of the three climbers, Carlos and Juanito. However, the mission culminates in tragedy as Richie, battling oxygen depletion and severe dizziness, is unable to complete the rescue of the final climber, Horia, before collapsing due to the extreme conditions.

[33:59] Daniel Auftenblatten: "If you climb a peak like that, usually you spend a month or even more to get used to the high altitude. We didn't have that time. Richard had no time to make that acclimatization."

Outcome and Aftermath

Rescued and Lost

While Carlos, Juanito, and Horia were successfully rescued, the climber Tolo remains missing, lost to the unforgiving Annapurna. The successful rescues marked the highest altitude long line helicopter rescue ever recorded, setting a new benchmark in mountain rescue operations.

[42:28] Richie Lehner: "You know, they have kids and family back home and, you know, if you don't get them out, the family will never see them again."

Recognition and Impact

In March 2011, Richie and Danny were awarded aviation’s highest honor, the Heroism Award, also known as the Aviation Oscar. Their heroic efforts not only saved lives but also redefined the possibilities of helicopter rescues in extreme altitudes.

[44:23] Richie Lehner: "We are still very good friends. I mean, it got us really close together and even our families are good friends. The kids are good friends together, and it's a really nice relationship."

Continued Commitment

Both men continue to serve in mountain rescues, with Danny ascending to the role of CEO of Air Zermatt. Their bond, forged in the crucible of Annapurna, remains unbreakable, underscoring their lifelong dedication to saving lives.

[44:56] Daniel Auftenblatten: "The job itself, it brings a certain risk. It's in the nature of it. It's riskier than when you sit in an office. There's no doubt about that. But taking this risk, we are taking it because we are confident in what we do. This is just what we do best."

Conclusion and Legacy

"Nepal Nightmare: Highest Helicopter Mission" is a testament to human courage, expertise, and the relentless pursuit of saving lives against all odds. Richie Lehner and Daniel Auftenblatten's mission on Annapurna not only saved three lives but also left an indelible mark on the field of mountain rescue. Their story exemplifies the extraordinary lengths to which ordinary people can go when thrust into extraordinary survival situations.

[44:36] John Hopkins: "In March 2011, Ritchie and Danny are awarded aviation's highest honor, the Heroism Award... It remains the highest altitude long line helicopter rescue ever recorded. And the experience has a profound effect on Danny and Richie. The bond forged between the two men during the rescue is one that will last a lifetime."

This episode of Real Survival Stories provides an in-depth look into the complexities and dangers of high-altitude rescues, highlighting the resilience and bravery required to overcome nature's most formidable challenges.

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