Two Weeks of Searching for Missing Climbers on Kurumdy Peak Conclude; Recovery Phase Begins

After two weeks of intensive search operations on Kurumdy Peak, organizers have halted the active phase of the mountain search, with flights concluded and equipment dismantled. The focus now shifts to the next critical stage: recovering the individuals believed to have been lost.

Drone footage captured on August 16 revealed objects identified as possible human bodies, along with parts of equipment and clothing. These findings were made near a suspected avalanche zone at an altitude of approximately 5,400 meters. While these discoveries are significant, final confirmation requires a specialized descent operation.

The missing climbers are Sergey Rubcov, 37, from Vilnius, Lithuania, and two Belarusian nationals, Maksim Polyanski, 43, and Nikolay Sviridov, 60. Polyanski and Sviridov are recognized as "Snow Leopard" title holders, signifying ascents of all five former Soviet Union's 7,000-meter peaks. Sviridov, the eldest, had decades of mountaineering experience, while Polyanski had also summited the challenging Peak of Revolution.

“

Two weeks ago, on August 4, the guys didn't show up at the car. Today, the active search phase in the mountains is over. Flights are suspended, the camp is packed up, the equipment is brought down. The headquarters is calculating the next stage, the descent operation.

Rubcov, the youngest, had been actively involved in mountaineering since 2013, with notable climbs in Tajikistan, including the Peak of Revolution alongside his companions. The group successfully reached the Kurumdy summit, standing at 6,613 meters, on August 1 via the northern ridge. Their last communication indicated they would be ready to descend on August 4, but they never appeared at the designated meeting point.

Investigators have pieced together that the three climbers were roped together and have identified a potential detachment zone on the ridge around 5,400 meters. The Kyrgyz Ministry of Emergency Situations has confirmed the discovery of footwear belonging to the climbers. The search organizers are now planning the descent operation to safely retrieve the individuals and confirm their identities.

“

On 2026.08.01 10:30 the whole group reached the Kurumdy summit. Via the northern ridge. We will be ready to depart 2026.08.04 10:00.