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- [00:01]
Sponsor Announcer
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- [00:30]
John Hopkins
States it's April 29, 2010 early morning high above the white mountain slopes of the Annapurna Massif, Nepal. The peaks sparkle, sunlight bouncing off the snow. It's a vast untouched landscape of ups and and downs which stretches for miles. The only object in the sky is a lone helicopter, a lightweight single engine aircraft. A tiny speck buzzing above the mountainous splendor. At first the scene appears calm, almost peaceful. But something's wrong. The helicopter isn't gliding, it's fighting. It's spinning blades battle against the violent winds, straining with each turn. Thin air claws at the rotorcraft causing it to wobble and shake. Hanging down from the chopper is a huge 90 foot length of rope and dangling precariously on the end of it is 38 year old mountain rescue expert Richie Lehner. He grips the rope knuckles white. His friend and colleague Daniel is flying the aircraft. Right now the pair are on one of the most daring rescue missions ever attempted in the Himalayas. Ritchie glances down at the barren white and black slopes below. They blur beneath him as he struggles to keep his focus. The helicopter jerks and he swings in the air. He glances at his oxygen gauge. It's running low. Too low.
- [02:18]
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.
- [02:37]
John Hopkins
Time is running out. He has less than 10 minutes of oxygen left. The winds howl and the embattled helicopter jerks again, ragdolling Richie below. This was meant to be a rescue mission. But now, high above the deadly Annapurna Mountains, the rescuers are the ones in danger. Ever wondered what you would do when disaster strikes if your life depended on your next decision? Could you make the right choice? Welcome to Real Survival Stories. These are the astonishing tales of ordinary people thrown into extraordinary situations. People suddenly forced to fight for their lives. In this episode we saw across the majestic heights of the Himalayas, following two men who risk their lives to save others. As elite Swiss mountain rescuers, 38 year old Richard Lehner and 35 year old Daniel Auftenblatten are used to making split second decisions under extreme pressure. But in April 2010, one rescue mission seems to defy even their experience and training. They must save a group of climbers marooned at an impossible height deep in the Annapurna range. 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?
- [04:22]
Richie Lehner
We never thought that we can get at 7,000 meters because at that time nobody went that high with a helicopter, a mountain rifle.
- [04:32]
Daniel Auftenblatten
So that always gave the impression it's impossible. But personally, you will do everything that's possible to bring these people down.
- [04:42]
John Hopkins
I'm John Hopkins from Neuser. This is Real survival stories. It's April 28, 2010, in the bustling heart of Kathmandu. Nepal's capital sits in the shadow of the towering Himalayas. These ancient natural behemoths stand in stark contrast to the vibrant city below, which is filled with elaborate temples, golden pagodas and rows of noisy bars and restaurants. The streets throng with people and animals and cars and color. Somewhere in the city, away from the growl of the traffic, a team of rescuers are gathering inside a small, bare briefing room. Among them are Richard and Daniel, better known as Richie and Danny. They're surrounded by maps of the Annapurna range, which lies right in the heart of the Himalayas. Urgent, engaged conversation bounces between the members of the rescue team. Danny studies a map while Ritchie plans a potential route. They discuss the risks, the time frame, the plan. A daunting mission lies ahead of them. Moments earlier, the pair had just completed a training flight in their helicopter. Arriving back, they were greeted with severe news. Six climbers are in trouble up Annapurna one. Cold is setting in, bringing frostbite, altitude sickness and exhaustion. Ritchie and Danny have faced danger before, but never at this altitude. The Himalayas span over 1500 miles and are home to the world's tallest peaks. Annapurna 1 rises to 26 and a half thousand feet over 8,000 meters. It's the 10th tallest mountain in the world and one of the most treacherous.
- [07:07]
Richie Lehner
Amapurna. In general, it's quite a dangerous mountain, one of the, I think one of the most dangerous 8,000 meter peaks because it has a lot of ice eracs, ice falling, avalanches, and it's a very steep face. You climb up.
- [07:26]
John Hopkins
Mountains have shaped Richie and Danny's lives. Both were born and raised in Zermatt, Switzerland, which lies in the shadow of the Matterhorn. Ritchie comes from a family of mountain guides. It's in his blood and he's never happier than when among the peaks and the slopes.
- [07:44]
Richie Lehner
I always liked the mountains. I always especially liked the sports. I liked climbing. I liked to go up on the mountains and ski some fresh powder. I like to stand up early and go up on the mountain, see the sunrise and it's just, it's hard to describe sometimes because you really have to live it.
- [08:07]
John Hopkins
But Ritchie has seen firsthand the ups and downs of mountaineering. For all the beauty and excitement, danger is ever present. Working as part of Air Zermatt's operations, Ritchie has over 400 rescues to his name. Danny's rescue resume is just as impressive, but his calling came from the air. He's one of Switzerland's top helicopter pilots with over a decade of experience.
- [08:37]
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. You move in three dimensions. The aviation brings together a lot of subjects which are individually really fascinating. It's just a passion. I'm not sure what the definition for passion is, but I'm sure I have it.
- [09:10]
John Hopkins
Their passion for mountains and rescue has now taken Richie and Danny away from their usual work in Switzerland and brought them to Nepal where they'd been spending the last two months training local rescuers. Although the men work in the same company, before this trip, their paths had only briefly crossed.
- [09:28]
Richie Lehner
Before we went to Nepal, of course, we did some rescues together. We had kind of a professional partnership, but it was not like friends.
- [09:38]
John Hopkins
But this training program has changed all that. In Nepal, the men have become close as they teach others the long line rescue technique they have mastered. The method designed for rescues where helicopters can't land is an extraordinary combination of skill and bravery. It sees Ritchie suspended from a 90 foot rope. As the helicopter flies, he swings beneath it, fighting the elements to reach stranded climbers. Once he secures them to the line, the pilot lifts them to safety. It's risky, but effective. For nearly 60 years, rescuers have refined these life saving techniques. Early attempts brought helicopters dangerously close to the mountain. Now longer cables keep them at a safe distance and dual hooks allow for the evacuation of numerous people at once. But with long line rescues, there's no pulling back. Once attached, it's a one way trip to either safety or disaster.
- [10:47]
Richie Lehner
We had a lot of experience in mountain rescue. Nepal didn't have actually any helicopters or just a few helicopters who did some mountain rescues, but they never did long line rescues there.
- [11:04]
Daniel Auftenblatten
We were basically going down there to train the Nepali pilots. That was our primary mission. And then we said, if you have to go to rescue missions, we would come with you. And in the second or third week that emergency came in.
- [11:23]
John Hopkins
The time for training is over. Richie, Danny and the rest of the rescuers are now facing the real thing. A Spanish led expedition of six has become stranded up Annapurna. This mountain claims more lives per ascent than any other peak of its height. Around a third of those who attempt to conquer it do not survive. Richie and Danny have seen it all. They've extracted climbers from deep crevasses, battled through blizzards, stabilized victims on cliff edges. But this rescue is different.
- [12:01]
Richie Lehner
They went up to the summit and I think what happened, 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 meter.
- [12:24]
John Hopkins
Trapped by the intense weather, the climbers are now stranded at a staging camp at 22,800ft, around 7,000 meters. And one of the group is missing.
- [12:37]
Richie Lehner
We never thought that we can get at 7,000 meters because at that time nobody went that high with a helicopter.
- [12:44]
John Hopkins
For a mountain rescue helicopter, rescue at this altitude appears impossible. It's never been attempted, let alone achieved before. Up there, the air is thin, with oxygen levels less than half of those at sea level, making it hard for helicopters to maintain lift. Every movement requires precision. Even a small gust of wind could send the aircraft crashing into the mountain. For Ritchie and Danny, flying at this altitude is a fight against nature, physics and time. Danny will be piloting an Airbus AS350, the same helicopter they use in the Alps. It can handle extreme altitudes, but 23,000ft is its limit. Beyond that, they're in uncharted territory. Even the manufacturer can't guarantee its performance.
- [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. We said, we do not take any risk. And flying outside, you call it the envelope of that machine. Which means at 23,000ft, that's it for us. I mean, you can go higher. The highest landing ever performed with a helicopter was on Mount Everest, which is at almost 9,000 meters. So, I mean, everything works, but we just didn't want to take the risk that something really unexpected would happen.
- [14:38]
John Hopkins
It's early afternoon. Before leaving their Kathmandu base, Richie and Danny load the helicopter with all the equipment they need. Their plan is to head towards Annapurna Base camp. It's about 120 miles away. Perched at 13 and a half thousand feet or 4,000 meters, base camp serves as a critical staging point for climbers preparing to summit the mountain. It's a place where they can rest, recover and acclimatized to the high altitude. It offers crucial shelter, communications equipment and medical supplies. It's about 3,000 meters below where the climbers are now stranded. From here, Richie and Danny can launch their rescue attempt.
- [15:25]
Richie Lehner
We actually loaded everything we could load in the helicopter. We thought we take it along because it was a one and a half hour flight to Annapurna Base Camp and there was also a second helicopter came along with extra fuel because there are no fuel stations in between. You have to think about all different situations you could find there. And especially then also with the altitude, we didn't know how far we get up and how we're going to do the rescue.
- [15:58]
John Hopkins
There's no time to lose. The longer the climbers are left on the mountain, exposed to punishing wind and ice and snow, the less likely they are to be found alive. Richie and Danny do some final checks, climb into the helicopter and set off. It rises smoothly, cutting through the thinning air. Richie watches as the ground falls away beneath them, ascending into the colossal expanse of the Himalayas. The climb is steep. Ahead, the distant peaks of Annapurna loom ageless giants which seem to stare back at Ritchie and Danny. By 3pm they've reached a height of 13,000ft and are approaching Annapurna Base Camp. But the mist is rolling in as if the mountain itself is pushing them back. Visibility fades fast. Thick fog swallows their path. The helicopter judders unsteadily through the gray void. They can't go any further. With heavy hearts, they concede the rescue must wait until tomorrow. These sort of stomach wrenching decisions are just part of the job.
- [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. It's getting too risky for us as well. And especially sometimes avalanche situation, thunderstorms, or especially also like night rescues in difficult light situations. It's a lot of times we have to just tell the people we can't do it. Now I know how it is up on these mountains, up in these camps. And if you are up there and you know at the moment, there is nothing you can do for these people, it's very frustrating.
- [17:57]
John Hopkins
The thought of the climbers up there exposed to the bitter chill weighs on Richie and Danny at nearly 23,000ft at this time of year, the temperature can fall to as low as -9 degrees Celsius. Another night up there could be their last. But the climbers are not forgotten. Rather than attempting to land at base camp, Richie and Danny decide to fly to Pokhara. It's a small village about 25 miles away. It's here they'll spend the night. Tomorrow they'll return to do battle with the mountain again. Ryan Reynolds here for I guess my hundredth Mint commercial. No, no, no, no, no, no, don't. No, no, no. I mean, honestly, when I started this, I thought I'd only have to do like four of these. I mean, it's unlimited to Premium Wireless.
- [18:52]
Sponsor Announcer
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- [18:57]
John Hopkins
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- [18:58]
Sponsor Announcer
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- [19:01]
John Hopkins
Save whenever you're ready.
- [19:03]
Sponsor Announcer
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- [19:40]
John Hopkins
Today, dawn breaks on April 29th. Richie and Danny wake in Pokhara to cold but clear skies. The freezing temperature clings to their skin. Sharp and relentless. But they waste no time and head straight back towards Annapurna Base camp.
- [20:00]
Richie Lehner
We woke up with the first flight to make sure that we are up early and we can fly with the first light into base camp. And once we got up there to base camp, we talked to the team members from the Spanish expedition.
- [20:18]
John Hopkins
They get as much information as they can about the desperate climbing group. The details are sketchy but harrowing. The climbers had successfully summited Annapurna 1, but the descent proved calamitous. Battling a brutal blizzard, they struggled through the treacherous terrain with two Sherpas guiding them Tola Kallafat, a less experienced climber, fell behind. Exhausted and weak, he couldn't go on. Sherpa Sonam stayed with him as long as he could. But Tolo's condition worsened, forcing Sonam to leave him at 24,500ft. Now the rest of the group is stranded at what's known as Camp 4. Their bodies are ravaged by frostbite, snow blindness and altitude sickness. They're too weak to descend any further and local rescuers have already tried and failed to reach them. Up to Richie and Danny now. Throughout the night, Sherpa Dawa scoured the mountain, searching tirelessly for Tolo. But the father of two is still missing. For a time, the group remained in communication with him via radios and managed to engineer an important phone call for Tolo before they lost all contact.
- [21:41]
Richie Lehner
They connect him with the satellite phone to his wife back in Spain and actually that he said goodbye to her. After that, they never had any contact anymore. But still then we thought, well, let's go up and try whatever we can do.
- [22:03]
John Hopkins
Aside from the missing Tola, the remaining climbers are Spaniards Carlos and Juanito, and Romanian Horia. All three are seasoned mountaineers, but even their experience is no match for Annapurna's wrath. Richie and Danny learn that Juanito's feet are partially frozen and Carlos hands are numb with frostbite. To make matters worse, there are avalanches in their vicinity. It's now 7am the mists will likely roll back in by late morning and cling to the mountain for the rest of the day. Richie and Danny estimate they have just three hours to find the climbers. The helicopter lifts off and the rugged landscape of the range unfolds, A savage expanse of ice and rock. The helicopter vibrates under the high altitude. Altitude strain. Bolts groan. Every rivet feels like it could snap. In the distance, an avalanche rumbles. A deep, menacing growl, a reminder of the mountain's power. Danny, behind the helicopter's controls, scans the frozen wasteland below.
- [23:23]
Daniel Auftenblatten
So the visibility, I remember it was always good, but there was just a very strong wind. And I remember we loaded the expedition doctor and we flew up so he could show us where they are. First of all, where the route was. And I remember I was flying up there and the helicopter, literally, it bounced like a table tennis ball, the wind was so strong.
- [23:54]
John Hopkins
Minutes pass. Then suddenly they spot something. A small cluster of tents clinging to a slope. It's Camp 4. Hope flickers, then quickly fades. The slope is far too steep for Danny to land. Winds continue to roar, pummeling the chopper, it spins dangerously close to the jagged mountain. The tale wrote a jerks fighting against the crosswinds. Inside the cockpit, Danny's hands tighten around the controls. With the weather squarely against them, they're forced to turn back.
- [24:33]
Richie Lehner
At that time, the wind was too strong on the mountain, so he actually came back to base camp and then we decided to wait and see if the weather is improving or not.
- [24:49]
John Hopkins
Back at base camp, they consider their options. Now they know the location of most of the climbers, the terrain and the conditions they can reassess. They consider dropping oxygen and vital medicine to the group. But that would be just a temporary solution and very time consuming. Then the wind lets up just enough. Danny seizes the moment. There's another way. If they strip the helicopter of any excess weight, they can attempt a long line rescue, the very technique they came to Nepal to teach. But the risks are significant. Ritchie will dangle nearly 100ft below the helicopter, fully exposed to the stabbing cold and harsh gusts. One wrong move and he could be thrown into the rocks. There are many reasons why a rescue like this has never been attempted at this altitude. The duo will communicate via radio, but Danny will need to mainly focus on flying from here. Every move must be precise. It's 8am Danny and Richie head back to the helicopter and toss out anything unnecessary. Extra fuel, cans, tools, sheets of paper, pens, screwdrivers. Get rid. Ritchie steps into the harness and tightens the straps. The helicopter's blades thunder above. The line uncoils as the ground drops away. Richie's lifted into the air. The line pulling taut below. The ground shrinks as they soar through the skies. Ritchie catches a glimpse of the ice encrusted Himalayan range. In different circumstances, it would be a rare, breathtaking sight.
- [26:44]
Richie Lehner
It takes a long time for the helicopter to go up the mountain. Like if you're hanging underneath the helicopter above these glaciers, it's just amazing. It's another dimension.
- [26:57]
John Hopkins
Richie shifts his weight, sinking himself with the movements of the helicopter. The line sways violently with each gust, pulling him in every direction. His body strains to stay balanced. Danny flies as smoothly as he can.
- [27:16]
Daniel Auftenblatten
Basically, the wind can be your friend if it's predictable. For example, if you would have like a constant 20 knot headwind, that would help you a lot because that gives you additional lift for the helicopter. If I have the wind, I might be able to hold the mountain guide. If it's ghastly and suddenly you lose the wind, you will not be able to hold the machine anymore. And then you have somebody attached to the helicopter, which reduces your flexibility quite a lot.
- [27:51]
John Hopkins
Richie has been in the air just 10 minutes, but he's already feeling the effects of the freezing winds. His legs are numb and he swings them back and forth like a pendulum trying to fight the creeping cold. As they rise higher up the mountain, Danny masterfully guides the helicopter while Richie scans the desolate, snow covered landscape below. Camp 4 again comes into view. Danny inches the helicopter closer. It's all about timing and coordination now.
- [28:25]
Richie Lehner
We said let's try it. We are up at 7,000, let's try it. So we did different approaches. It was shaking quite a lot at the beginning because it was difficult to get the helicopter into the right position with the wind. And I always had to talk to Danny from how many meters I'm above ground and all that stuff. So it was a lot of concentrations that Danny could bring me into camp for.
- [28:55]
John Hopkins
Danny steers Ritchie towards the slope when a sudden gale hits the helicopter. Ritchie flails wildly. The rope jerks as the helicopter struggles to remain on course beneath him. The climbers stand outside their tents watching as the rescue falters. They try again. Richie grips the harness as Danny pulls away from the mountain. He swings in for another attempt. The ground below seems to snatch at them, ready to drag the helicopter down. But Danny yanks them back just in time. Ritchie narrowly avoids slamming into the rock face. This isn't working.
- [29:40]
Daniel Auftenblatten
I was not able to put him down to Cam 4. I tried, I think two or three times and then I remember I was talking to an old pilot. We always say there are no good pilots. There are only old pilots. I remember very well. He told me he tries three times. Whatever mission he has. If he cannot do it after three times, leave it. And that's what came in my mind after three approaches. I tried and then I broke this rule. I remember that very well because I thought the circumstances are just so different.
- [30:25]
John Hopkins
Maybe this time, fourth time will be the charm. Danny brings the helicopter to 23,000ft, pushing the machine to its limits. The propellers are screaming in protest as Richie sways from the helicopter. One last attempt.
- [30:48]
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- [31:00]
John Hopkins
My friends still laugh at me to this day.
- [31:02]
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- [31:51]
John Hopkins
Flying over the deadliest mountain range in the world, Danny's piloting instincts are on high alert. Below, his partner is struggling for every breath. The freezing air bites into Ritchie as he dangles from the helicopter. His oxygen is dwindling fast. He runs his eyes across the bottle carrying his lifeline.
- [32:13]
Richie Lehner
We knew that one of the biggest risks, especially for me hanging underneath the helicopter, was 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.
- [32:34]
John Hopkins
Ritchie sees he has only 10 minutes of oxygen left. Not enough to save the climbers, not even enough to preserve himself. With fumbling fingers, Richie grabs his radio and alerts Danny. Enough is enough. Richie has barely finished speaking before Danny swings the helicopter around. Once again, they're forced back to Annapurna Base Camp. But while this is a setback, it's not an admission of defeat. Once they touch down, Richie swiftly replaces his oxygen tank. There's now less than 90 minutes before the mist returns. Every second counts as they prepare for their next attempt. Ritchie straps back in and Danny lifts off. The frigid gales seem even more ferocious. Richie's hands clutch the rope as he battles to maintain his balance as Camp 4 comes into view once again, dizziness hits Ritchie hard. He's got a fresh tank of oxygen. He shouldn't feel this weak. His chest tightens. He fumbles for his radio, struggling to stay conscious. His breaths are shallow, words clipped and strained as he calls out to Danny once more.
- [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. We had oxygen with us for me and the helicopter was nice, but because Richard, he was hanging on the rope so he started to feel dizzy and then we said, okay, then forget it. We cannot leave you up there. And then you collapse.
- [34:27]
John Hopkins
It's another bitter blow. The stranded climbers are desperate now on the verge of being overwhelmed by the elements. But Danny and Richie have no other option but to turn back yet again.
- [34:41]
Daniel Auftenblatten
It was especially difficult, and then we said, it's too high of a risk that you get up there and something happens to you and I might not be able to bring you back. That's why we changed the whole plan again.
- [34:58]
John Hopkins
The long line rescue looks impossible. The wind is too wild, the fog too thick, and the risk too great. It's looking like the group might have to spend a third night on the mountain. It could be their last. Back at Annapurna base camp, Danny knows there's only one option left.
- [35:20]
Daniel Auftenblatten
I told Richard, okay, let's do it in another way. You stay here, and we explain the people on the base, on the camp for what they have to do. If I bring the hook to them.
- [35:33]
John Hopkins
With the new plan agreed, they radio the climbers, explaining that this time Danny will be coming alone. Meanwhile, Richie gives careful instructions to the group. He tells each climber to step onto a small platform. Then they must secure themselves to the line that will be suspended from the helicopter. It is enormously risky, but this is now their only chance to be lifted off the mountain. Then a message comes in from Houria, the Romanian climber in the group. He says he still feels strong enough to help.
- [36:10]
Daniel Auftenblatten
He was in really good shape. So we explained him over the radio everything that he has to do.
- [36:20]
John Hopkins
With Horia's ground support helping to secure the other climbers to the harness, Danny and Richie's final attempt at rescue might just stand a chance. As Danny lifts off alone, Richie watches from the ground below. It's tough to sit on the sidelines, knowing the stakes.
- [36:40]
Richie Lehner
Yeah, it was kind of frustrating, but I could already feel at that time the altitude as well. And on the other hand, it was a safety question that I stayed down and I gave them instructions by radio how to hook them onto the helicopter and bring their number.
- [37:01]
John Hopkins
In the cockpit, Danny once again feels the helicopter strain against the thin air. He doesn't have the luxury of flying by instruments, tools pilots use to navigate when visibility is poor. Up here, it's all about what Danny can see with his own two eyes. If the fog thickens, he could head straight into the mountainside. But he pushes on, his rotorcraft running swiftly through the skies.
- [37:30]
Daniel Auftenblatten
Took off again from the base camp, flying to Cam 4 only with the hook, only with the rope attached to the helicopter. So then for me, again, it was easier because I didn't have to wait from Richard anymore. So that was a big gain in Performance.
- [37:50]
John Hopkins
Danny continues to climb, inching closer to the group. After 15 minutes, he spots the first climber. It's Juanito. Even from a distance, it's clear he's in a bad way. Hands trembling violently from exhaustion and cold. With no Ritchie below to guide the line, it's an intricate maneuver. Danny lowers the hook, but the wild winds toss the carabine out of Juanito's reach. He fights to stabilize the helicopter, bringing the line back down below. Juanito reaches again. The wind whipping around him. The line sways. Juanito grasps at it. And this time he makes it. With Horia's help, He latches on, checks the connection, and the signal is clear. Danny pulls the climber towards safety. Feeling the helicopter shudder under the weight, Juanito's body swings in the air. Back at base camp, medics rush to his aid. But Danny doesn't stop. He's already back in the air.
- [38:59]
Richie Lehner
Every time Danny brought one of these guys down, there was a relief. It's one less. We're getting there. To get these people out, we pushed it to the limit for sure.
- [39:10]
John Hopkins
Back at Camp 4, Danny hovers above the second climber. Carlos reaches for the line, his movements sluggish from the altitude. The wind holds off this time, and the carabiner stays fixed. With Ritchie's guidance and Horia's support, the climber clips in and braces for the lift. In minutes, they're back in the air, but Danny's focus tightens as the mist creeps in. Their window is closing fast.
- [39:47]
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- [40:11]
John Hopkins
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- [40:18]
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- [40:42]
John Hopkins
Once Carlos is safely delivered to base camp, Danny lifts off again. The Sherpas, wary of attaching themselves to the long line and reluctant to leave their equipment, descend on foot. With their experience, they can handle the harsh conditions better than the others. Now only one climber remains, Horia, who has been aiding others during the rescue. He clips on remarkably smoothly.
- [41:13]
Daniel Auftenblatten
I would say maybe not easily, but it was quite manageable to bring the hook to that Romanian and I just flew him down on the hook.
- [41:24]
John Hopkins
Dany pulls up on the controls, lifting her ear away from the mountain. Now it's a race against the elements. The mist is almost impenetrable. Visibility is just a few feet. Enormous angular mountain tips and cliff faces peek out of the fog. Shadowy, deadly obstacles whistling past dangerously close. Danny swerves his way through the swirling gray until eventually Annapurna basecamp reappears in the distance, a beacon of safety safely on the ground. He cuts the engine and the rotors wind down until they're still and silent. He takes a moment to himself.
- [42:10]
Daniel Auftenblatten
It's definitely a sense of achievement because you were able to make a difference for the one we brought down from the mountain. It's a huge difference, and you are kind of part of it, which is very satisfying.
- [42:29]
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. And it still stays in your head for a long time. You take it for quite a while with you and your voice. Think about it.
- [42:51]
John Hopkins
But there is a somber note to this story. Despite their extraordinary efforts, not everyone can be saved. Tragically, the missing climber Tolo is lost to the mountain. The following day, the two Sherpas, Dawa and Sonam return to base camp unscathed. The rescued climbers go on to make a full recovery. As for Richie and Danny, news of their mission spreads. Before this, helicopter rescues at such extreme altitudes were considered impossible. Their achievements on Annapurna are unprecedented, A world first. In March 2011, Ritchie and Danny are awarded aviation's highest honor, the Heroism Award, also known as the Aviation Oscar. The previous recipient was Captain Chesley Sully Sullenberger, who famously landed a damaged commercial plane on New York's Hudson river in 2009, saving 150 passengers. Now the men from Zermatt join this prestigious group. 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.
- [44:24]
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.
- [44:37]
John Hopkins
Now Danny and Richie still work in the mountains and continue to take part in rescues at the start of 2024, Danny became the CEO of Air Zermatt. It's an intense, high stakes job, but both men remain committed to what they do.
- [44:57]
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.
- [45:28]
John Hopkins
In the next episode, we meet the woman hailed as the Aussie Mermaid in 1989. 22 year old Michelle Hamilton has planned the perfect getaway. 10 days on a tropical island in the Philippines. But fate has other plans. A day trip gone wrong leaves her alone in a small canoe, drifting out to sea. Over three terrifying days, Michelle will come face to face with punishing weather and apex predators. And her own beliefs will be profoundly changed. The sharks are circling and it seems nobody is coming to help. That's next time on Real Survival Stories. Listen now without waiting a week by subscribing to Noiser Plus. Hi listeners. If you have an amazing survival story of your own that you'd like to put forward for the show, let us know. Drop us an email@supportnoiser.com that's supportnoiser.com it's better over here.
- [46:34]
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