A harrowing two-week search for a Russian mountaineer stranded high on Victory Peak has come to a heartbreaking end.

Authorities in Kyrgyzstan confirmed that the “final” effort to reach 47-year-old Natalia Nagovitsina has been abandoned after repeated rescue attempts were thwarted by unforgiving weather and perilous conditions.

Nagovitsina became trapped nearly 23,000 feet above sea level after suffering a broken leg, an injury that left her unable to descend on her own.

Since her plight was first reported, Kyrgyz officials, international mountaineers, and volunteers have mounted desperate attempts to bring her down from the icy heights of Mount Pobeda, also known as Victory Peak. But despite helicopters, drones, and on-the-ground climbers being deployed, no successful rescue was possible, MailOnline reports.

The danger of the mission became tragically clear when Italian climber Luca Sinigaglia reached Nagovitsina last week, managing to deliver a sleeping bag to help her endure the extreme cold. He never made it back down, dying of hypothermia and oxygen deprivation on the mountain.

Other rescue efforts were equally perilous; one helicopter crashed, while another had been forced to operate in zero visibility. The already faint hopes of survival grew slimmer with each setback.

Officials now believe Nagovitsina has likely perished. The head of the Kyrgyz Mountaineering Federation said it was “highly likely” she succumbed to the brutal conditions, which plunged as low as –23°C, The Mirror details.

On August 19, drone footage appeared to capture her waving at rescuers, offering a fleeting glimpse of hope. But subsequent monitoring revealed nothing but worsening weather, sealing her fate.

This week, the last specialized helicopter brought in for the mission (an Airbus H125 flown by Italian pilots experienced in high-altitude operations) was withdrawn. With no safe weather window opening, authorities declared the rescue officially over.

“The rescue mission on Mount Pobeda was officially brought to an end. The Italian pilots have departed. Weather conditions remain poor,” a Russian mountaineering portal reported.

Dmitry Grekov, head of the base camp, admitted that while Nagovitsina’s death cannot be formally confirmed, her location lies in an area where no one could survive for long.

"We know where she is. But it's impossible to get there," he said, via CBS News. He remarked that, according to him, "no one has ever been evacuated" from such an altitude, adding: "It's impossible to do it manually, only by helicopter, and we don't have such helicopters in Kyrgyzstan."

Kyrgyz officials echoed the grim assessment, with Adil Chargynov of the Ministry of Emergency Situations confirming the helicopter and crew had been sent back to their home base.

Recovery of Nagovitsina’s body, authorities now say, may not be possible until spring, when the mountain briefly eases its icy grip.

Featured image credit: pidjoe / Getty Images. 

A mountain hiker who became stranded in the Croatian mountains has been saved after his pet dog lay on top of him for 13 hours.

As reported by The Independent, hiker Grga Brkic became stranded while traversing along the Velebit mountain range - located along the country’s Adriatic coastline. Brkic was hiking with two friends when he fell down a slope and suffered injuries to his leg.

Unable to move, Brkic's two friends doubled back to go and find help, leaving him in the company of his eight-month-old Alaskan Malamute called North.

After successfully contacting rescuers, nearly 30 first responders found Brkic and North approximately 5,900 feet above sea level. Local media reports that North had spent 13 hours lying on top of Brkic, "curled around him and warmed him".

The Croatian Mountain Rescue Service later shared a photo of North lying on top of Brkic to its social media page, writing in the caption (translated): "Friendship and love between man and dog have no boundaries."

"From this example, we can all learn about caring for each other," the post added.

Total Croatia News reported that all three hikers were experienced and carrying all the correct equipment.

Head of the Croatian mountain rescue services in Gospić, Josip Brozičević, told the press: "The dog was curled up next to the owner in the pit the entire time; he warmed his owner with his body, thus preventing the mountaineer’s significant hypothermia who suffered a severe fracture of the lower leg and ankle when he fell.

"In addition, he looked quite sober mentally and physically."

North himself was uninjured, and was later described by his owner to the local press as "a little miracle". Brkic added that the hours that led to his eventual rescue felt "slow".

Despite the dog's heroic efforts, Croatian mountain rescue services have reiterated their warnings that hikers should not take dogs on dangerous ventures - especially in winter when specialist equipment is required.

Featured image credit: John Kiss / Alamy

Dramatic footage has emerged of a 75-year-old hiker - who was injured from a fall in Phoenix, Arizona - spinning wildly out of control as she is hoisted upwards to safety as part of a routine helicopter rescue.

The woman's terrifying ride, which took place yesterday morning at Piestewa Peak - a popular hiking location in Phoenix - was captured by local TV station Fox 10.

Take a look at the alarming footage:

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Emergency responders were called after the woman hurt her head as a result of the fall. The Phoenix Police Department arrived at the scene with a helicopter to hoist the woman up to safety while strapped in a Bauman bag and basket.

According to Phoenix Police lead air unit pilot Paul Apolinar, such out-of-control spinning incidents have only occurred twice in 210 rescues over the last six years.

"Sometimes if we’re in a canyon, it’s a strong windy day, it will spin on us," he said. "It’s not something that happens very often, but sometimes it just does. And when it does, we’re trained to take care of it."

A line attached to the hoist is responsible for preventing the basket from erratic spinning as it's brought into the helicopter's rotor wash.

Unfortunately, the line broke, pilot Derek Geisel told reporters, which caused the terrifying windmilling incident.

"So we brought it down again, brought it back up, hoping some of the spin would lessen, which it didn't, obviously," he said.

Eventually, the spin did lessen and the firefighters were able to hoist the woman up with a great deal more ease.

"We were at least able to make some eye contact, and I could tell she was doing okay," Phoenix Fire Capt. Bobby Dubnow told reporters.

"The helicopter was the correct decision," he added while confirming that "reports from the hospital are that she had no ill effects from the spin."

The woman has not been identified but is believed to be recovering well after the dizzying ride.

Montana man Loren Schauers, who endured a hemicorporectomy (amputation of all body parts below the waist) after a devastating forklift accident, has shared his ongoing battle with an infection.

The courageous man had three of his limbs amputated following the accident in September 2019 and has been chronicling his journey to recovery ever since.

Residing in Great Falls, Montana, Loren has been sharing his experience living with his disability, supported by his doting wife, Sabia Schauers-Reiche.

However, a recent social media post reveals a new challenge - he has been hospitalized due to a kidney infection.

In a recent Instagram Story, Loren commented on his plight, saying via The Mirror, "Drink water like no other in life. Yet I'm still needing to be put into the E.R (emergency room) for a kidney infection and my body passing a kidney stone. Why does there always have to be some catch?"

This unexpected setback follows an update from Sabia last month, stating Loren was dealing with "considerable pain". She said in a note on social media, "Just our Sunday check-in with you all. Unfortunately Loren is not having a great day, it's a day with considerable pain so no picture of him today. Not every day can be great and wonderful but being the extraordinary guy he is, he's fighting his way through it all. We love you all!"

Despite the challenges, Loren continues to show immense strength. A recent video shows him swimming with Sabia, using an inflatable ring for support. However, an unexpected slip off the ring revealed another worry - with only one full working arm, going underwater can be a precarious situation for Loren.

Sadly, while the couple's story continues to inspire and gather support online, they've also become targets for scammers on social media. Fraudulent accounts have emerged, attempting to fundraise in their name. Nevertheless, the couple has been successful in shutting these accounts down and remain grateful for the genuine support they receive.

In an official statement this month, they thanked their followers for their assistance in dealing with the imposter accounts, saying, "As several of you have mentioned by now it looks like we've been a little too enthusiastic about the fake account being removed. I'm assuming many of you can still see the fake page and if you feel like it please keep reporting and commenting until you get blocked too."

Featured image credit: Jimmy Aaja / Pexels