Every year, people from all over the world visit Mount Everest. They take a trip to the mountain to try their luck at climbing the tall peak.
Although, the journey to the top of Everest isn’t an easy one. Climbers have to train for months in advance for the adventure, and even then, safety isn’t guaranteed.
There are many cautionary tales that help people understand the dangers of Everest. One of the most popular stories is the Mount Everest Sleeping Beauty.
So, if you want to learn more about the tale, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll walk you through the events that took place and the tragic ending.
Mount Everest Overview
Mount Everest is one of the tallest points in the world. That’s why people from all over the globe visit the peak.
They want to test out their survival skills against the elements. Every year, we hear many success stories of people who managed to make it to the top.
However, few of us know the somber history of the mountain.
The first summit of Everest was in 1953. Since then, about 310 people have met their fate at the peak.
While this doesn’t sound like a massive number, it averages out to about five deaths a year.
That’s why it’s crucial that you take your time and properly prepare for the journey.
To help you understand the gravity of the danger, let’s dive into a cautionary tale. Together, we’ll find out the story of Francys Arsentiev, the Mount Everest Sleeping Beauty.
Francys Arsentiev Overview
Francys was born in Hawaii on January 18th, 1958. For the most part, she had a normal childhood.
Arsentiev went to school and graduated with a master’s degree in business. She then went on to work as an accountant in Colorado in the 1980s.
Passion for Mountain Climbing
Image source: Google
Even though it sounds like Francys had a simple life, there was something very special about it. Arsentiev had an undeniable passion for climbing mountains.
This love started when Francys was just six years old. She went to the Colorado Mountains, which ignited her love for mountaineering.
Although, she wasn’t able to pursue her passion until she found her mate. In 1992, Francys married Sergei Arsentiev.
Then, the couple spent their time climbing some of the highest peaks in Russia. That includes the first ascent of Peak 5,800m.
The two also climbed a few mountains in the USA, like Denali.
A few years later, Francys and Sergei took a trip to Mount Elbrus. It’s a dormant volcano and the highest peak in Russia and Europe.
There, Francys would set a new world record. She was the first U.S. woman to ski down Elbrus.
At this point, Arsentiev set her sights on Mount Everest. The avid climber wanted to be the first U.S. woman to summit the peak without supplemental oxygen.
Francys and Mount Everest
The journey to Everest began in 1998. Francys and Sergei made their way to the mountain base camp in May.
A few days later, they ascended to the Advance Base Camp. This is the highest point people can visit without a climbing permit.
By May 17th, Francys and her husband made it to the North Col. At this point, the trip seemed to move along quite nicely.
The Arsentievs climbed to 25,262 feet the next day. Then, on May 19th, they made it to Camp 6. This is a base on Mount Everest at 27,000 feet.
After settling in for the day, Sergei radioed in that they were in good shape. Plus, the couple planned to start their summit attempt at 1:00 am the next morning.
Although, that’s when their journey began to go south.
The First Signs of Trouble
Image source: Google
After a little climbing, Sergei and Francys noticed that their headlamps were failing. Since they wanted to avoid traveling in the dark, they headed back to Camp 6.
The couple attempted the summit again the next day but with no luck. Lastly, on May 22nd, 1998, they managed to get their gear in order and start the final ascent.
Because of the lack of oxygen and the low air pressure, the Arsentievs moved slowly. They were only able to climb part way up the mountain before the area around them was pitch black.
To play it safe, they decided to camp out for the night and start again in the morning. That’s when the real trouble began.
In the darkness of the night, the couple had trouble keeping tabs on each other. So, they got split up while they were camping out.
The next morning, Sergei made his way down back to camp. To his surprise, Francys was nowhere to be found.
For that reason, he grabbed a medical kit and an oxygen tank and headed to find his wife.
Francys Alone on Mount Everest
After a few hours alone on the mountain, Francys was on her last leg. Luckily, she ran into the climbing team from Uzbek.
They found her half-conscious and exhibiting signs of oxygen deprivation and frostbite.
The climbing team attended to her and helped carry Francys down as far as they could. That’s all until the Uzbek group ran out of supplementary oxygen.
With no extra air supply, the climbers had to leave Francys and make their way down the mountain. On the trip to the bottom, they ran into Sergei, who was looking for his wife.
After getting information on Francys’ location, Sergei made his way over. However, his efforts to save his wife were all in vain.
While attempting to rescue Francys, Sergei suffered a deadly fall and never got up again.
This left Francys to fend for herself on the mountaintop. There were other climbers that passed by, but due to her poor condition, no one was able to help.
So, on May 24th, 1998, Francys died lying on her side, waiting for assistance. Because of how peaceful she looked, many people refer to her as the Sleeping Beauty of Mount Everest.
Francys stayed in place for seven years before they were able to move her body.
That’s why it’s important to remember, even the most experienced climbers can still fall. For that reason, it’s best to prepare for your journey carefully and stay close to your party.