9th Dec, 2024

Sleeping Beauty Everest

- Magnificent Himalayan Treks

You might have heard many stories on Everest. But amongst all, have you heard about the most terrifying or disappointing deaths on the way to the Everest Peak?

Here, lets read about one of the most haunted tales of Everest.

This story is of a women who died on the Mount Everest Expedition with her beloved husband Sergio who went back to rescue her.

Her ambitious journey turned into a tragic saga that left her immortalized on the slopes of Everest, earning her the name "Sleeping Beauty."

Her fate continues to captivate Western travelers, drawn by the mystery and harsh reality of high-altitude climbing's unforgiving nature.

Background of Francys Arsentiev

We all have some passion in life. Some has figured out what they want best for their life whereas some are confused or dilemma to what they want in life.

Here, this Francys Arsentiev is a very passionate lady who has great enthusiasm for adventure.

Her early life and and passion for mountaineering made a foundation for taking her step towards Mt. Everest. 

Born on January 18, 1958, to John Yabro and his wife Marina Garrett in Honolulu, Francys was ambitious since birth.

Later, she made her ultimate life goal to summit the peak of the world without supplemental oxygen.

Climbing the peak with oxygen is itself a dangerous and daring journey but here imagine how much of a daring person was Arsentiev. 

She started her journey alongside her husband as her climbing partner, her source of motivation Sergei Arsentiev. They shared their love and determination for mountaineering as made themselves a formidable team.

Unfortunately, their  journey couldn’t end as happy as everyone would have thought.

Francys died on the way to the summit . Her body was left on undecayed,unrescued  and as white as a porcelain doll.

This is one of the poignant death that is still talked about .

Today, Francys’s legacy as Sleeping Beauty Everest continues to inspire and caution climbers worldwide.

 The tragic 1998 Everest Expedition

The 1998 Everest Expedition is marked a pivotal moment in the history of mountaineering. This expedition involved several climbers and mountaineers from different teams.

It was led by a renowned Scottish mountaineer Malcolm Duff. Unfortunately he died of heart attach at Everest Base Camp. This was the sober beginning for the expedition.

Despite facing numerous challenges such as extreme weather conditions and oxygen-related issues, the climbers pushed through the difficulties of high-altitude ascent.

These unassisted Everest climb attempts were crucial in proving that human endurance could overcome the harshest of elements, helping to inspire future generations of climbers. 

Commercial expedition this time was very popular.Although Francys Arsentiev was not a official part of this expedition led by Malcolm Duff but it was the same time, she was climbing Everest peak as other teams. Her attempt was a separate and independent effort and not like the other commercial larger expeditions.

The life of Arsentiev gained the International attention die to the way she died tragically.

Today, she is regarded as the “Sleeping Beauty of Everest” as she remained on the Everest for years . She was as snow as white when the campaign was held to rescue her.

It looked like she was not dead and was peaceful in her sleep. 

The 1998 climbing season was marked by several deaths, harsh weather, and ongoing criticism of the commercialization of Everest, with some questioning the ethics of leaving climbers behind and the increasing crowding of the mountain.

The Summit and Descent Of Sleeping Beauty

Sergeo and Francis made a successful attempt to the Mount Everest in 1998. It was a remarkable achievement but the journey was more than harsh. They faced severe difficulties on the way down or descent.

Exhaustion, perilous conditions of the Death Zone  and its challenging struggles made them more miserable.They struggled with severe fatigue, high-altitude mountaineering challenges and unfortunately both husband and wife got separated.

She waited for rescue, she did her best to make all the way below but the death zone was harsh and difficult. At last, she gave her last breaths on the beautiful Everest.

Sergio did his best to find her, to reach her with the amount of supplemental oxygen.But, he couldn’t navigate her. In fact, he lost his own life in search of her falling down.

They say his body was never discovered but is still remembered today as a beloved husband ,a great mountaineer and an adventurer in the history of Everest.

The Tragic Death of Everest’s Sleeping Beauty

If we flip the pages of history, we will find the most risky reason in the mountains is being caught is frostbite,hypothermia. This also caused the death of poor Francis Arsentiev.

She was on the way to the Everest without supplemental oxygen.

The exhaustion, the harsh weather conditions and the other difficulties led her to die on her descent.

Later, her body was found lifelessly on the mountain succumbing to exhaustion and oxygen deprivation in the Death Zone.

There was also the controversial subject of matter regarding the death of sleeping beauty. She was left behind, unrescued by the fellow climbers . This decision still questions  the entire humanity.

Francys's death remains a poignant reminder of the harsh realities of high-altitude mountaineering. The emotional impact on her husband, who survived the climb, added another layer of tragedy to this already heartbreaking tale. 

Her Last Words

“Don’t leave me, Don’t leave me alone” was her last words. 

On the way to the mountain sleeping Beauty died . Imagine how you would feel when there is no any human body nearby and be hopeful to get help Even if there were , they wouldn’t rescue you. Its nearly impossible.

Francys was alone and out of breath. Few climbers found her body. But there were not a single possibility that they could. Tragic it is, isn’t it?

The Legacy of Sleeping Beauty Everest

Francys Arsentiev is renowned as the Sleeping Beauty of Mount Everest.She married a Russian Mountaineer 1n 1992. Sergei is known as “ the snow Leopard”as he climbed several highest Russian Peaks.

Later both started their ascent towards the mount everest in 1998.

On May 22, 1998, Francys and Sergei reached the summit of Mount Everest. Due to the late hour and lack of supplemental oxygen, they were forced to spend the night above 8,000 meters.

During the descent, they became separated. Sergei descended to camp, but Francys was found by other climbers in a semi-conscious state, affected by oxygen deprivation and frostbite. Despite attempts to assist her, she died on the mountain.

The death of Francys was slow and painful.After her death, she her body remained visible to the other climbers for nine years. Her legacy on the Everest is still a landmark and the reason to talk about the tragic deaths in history.

Was Sleeping Beauty rescued from Mount Everest?

Two mountaineers Ian Woodwall and Cathy O’Dowd and inaugurated various campaigns to rescue of her body. The first time they met Francys ,they were not able to rescue. The guilt they felt was too much.

They also said they couldn’t sleep thinking about the climber.

In 2007,climbers Ian Woodall and Cathy O'Dowd returned to the mountain to remove her body from view, lowering it to a less conspicuous location.

Key Lessons from the Tragedy Of Sleeping Beauty

The mountains has various unsaid lessons to give. They stand tall and firm. Summiting the mountains is not everyones cup of tea.

The tragedy of Sleeping Beauty marks the harness of Everest expedition.

It is necessary to understand the risks of Everest expeditions. The conditions on the top can be deadly without proper preparation.

Today, the Himalayan mountaineering community has learnt valuable lessons about how important it is to get prepared on the expedition, teamwork and oxygen use on Everest.

Proper acclimatization, timely decision-making, and reliance on supplemental oxygen can mean the difference between life and death. These lessons are crucial for climbers aiming to tackle the world's highest peak safely.

Conclusion

Francys Arsentiev’s tragic death highlights the extreme risks climbers face in the Death Zone, where oxygen deprivation and harsh conditions can be fatal.

Not just Sergio and Francys but the terrible conditions on the way has took life of most climbers till today. However, the risks of Everest expeditions and the reality of mountaineering is different .

Her legacy still continues and has the enduring impact that encourages the climbers but its really necessary to be extra cautious when you are mountain climbing.