For nearly two harrowing weeks, Natalia Nagovitsina lay stranded on one of the most unforgiving peaks in Central Asia—an immobile figure 7,300 metres above sea level, trapped in the icy grip of Victory Peak’s upper slopes, where temperatures plunge to -23°C and oxygen is scarce.
The 47-year-old Russian mountaineer, a veteran of the climbing world, had embarked on what was meant to be a triumphant expedition to Kyrgyzstan’s notorious Mount Pobeda, known more commonly as Victory Peak. Instead, the mission has ended in tragedy, after authorities confirmed that all attempts to rescue her have now been abandoned.
The last-ditch efforts, mounted by a coalition of Russian, Italian, and Kyrgyz emergency services, had been seen by many as her final hope. But after multiple helicopter flyovers failed to reach her, and one Italian climber died attempting to deliver aid, the rescue has been officially declared over.
Mount Pobeda is not for the faint-hearted. Towering at nearly 24,000 feet, it is one of the most formidable challenges in the Tien Shan range. The weather is unpredictable, and its summit—often battered by hurricane-force winds and sudden whiteouts—has taken more lives than it has given glory.