Sometimes, life throws a curveball that forces you to confront your deepest fears. For Fay Manners and Michelle Dvorak, two mountaineers determined to summit the elusive Chaukhamba III in India’s Himalayas, that curveball was a literal one—a rock falling from the sky that changed their lives and their mission in an instant. In what could only be described as a nightmare for any adventurer, the duo found themselves stranded high on a mountain face, without crucial supplies, facing days of isolation, biting cold, and deadly avalanches.

This is their remarkable tale of survival, grit, and the kind of determination that only comes when your dreams seem to be falling, quite literally, down the mountain.

The Dream to Conquer Chaukhamba III

Fay Manners, a Briton living in France, and Michelle Dvorak, an American climber, weren’t amateurs. Far from it. These two women had trained extensively for their mission: to be the first to summit the 7,000-meter Chaukhamba III in India’s northern Uttarakhand state. For them, this wasn’t just about reaching the peak—it was about conquering an unclimbed summit, an honor few can claim.

Their expedition began on September 27, 2024. Armed with the kind of preparation that would intimidate most casual hikers, they set off on a maze-like route filled with crevasses that threatened to swallow them whole. Precarious snow bridges, prone to collapsing, loomed over their path. It was the third attempt before they even made it to the base of the mountain—a testament to the sheer difficulty of the journey. And then, tragedy struck.

A Rock, a Rope, and a Tumble into Chaos

As they neared the summit, a falling rock severed the rope that carried Manners’ bag. In an instant, their supplies—including their tent, stove, food, and crucial climbing gear—were lost.

“I just remember watching it fall and thinking, ‘This can’t be happening,’” Manners recalled. You’d think panic would set in immediately, but no. These two climbers had prepared for every scenario—except this one. Their first thought? Not fear, but frustration. They were so close to reaching the summit, and now their dreams were tumbling down the icy slopes along with their gear.

“We were near the end of all the difficulties… we maybe had one more day to get to the summit,” Manners said. “But instead, it felt like everything we’d worked for was just gone.”

A Battle Against Nature

Without their equipment, the path down became nearly impossible. They contacted emergency services, hoping for a quick rescue. But in the Himalayas, things are rarely quick. Helicopters combed the mountainside but couldn’t spot the two stranded women amidst the vast expanse of snow and rock. As if things couldn’t get worse, the weather turned savage, with a snowstorm, hail, and even an avalanche barreling down the mountain.

Three long days passed. The climbers huddled together in a wet sleeping bag, their hair frozen into icy strands as nighttime temperatures plummeted to a brutal –15°C (5°F).

“I was shaking so violently through the night that Michelle had to hold my legs to just try and keep me warm,” Manners recounted. “That sleeping bag saved our lives.”

The Reality of Survival

In those three agonizing days, the duo had nothing to eat except for two measly energy bars they nibbled on. Their stove, lost with their supplies, meant they couldn’t even melt snow for water. Dehydrated and weak, they once abseiled to a spot with dripping ice, hoping to collect just enough water to stay alive.

Meanwhile, rescuers searched high and low but couldn’t locate them. Time was running out.

At some point, they knew they couldn’t wait any longer. Even with severe dehydration, frostbite, and the constant threat of hypothermia, they made the decision to descend on their own—a perilous journey through thick fog, across unstable crevasses, knowing full well they might never make it back.

A Chance Rescue

Just when it seemed all hope was lost, they spotted something that must have felt like a dream—another group of climbers, a French team, making their way toward them. In a twist of fate, this group had been gunning for the same summit but had been contacted by Indian authorities to assist in the search for Manners and Dvorak.

“I just broke down when I saw them,” Manners said. “All my emotions came out at once, and I had some tears in my eyes.”

The French climbers helped them descend to safety, even sharing some precious French cheese along the way. Three long days after their ordeal began, the Indian Air Force airlifted the pair to a hospital in Joshimath for a much-needed checkup.

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Survival, Determination, and the Road Ahead

It’s one thing to survive a harrowing experience. It’s another to emerge from it with your spirit intact and even more determined to achieve your dreams. Despite everything they went through—hunger, cold, fear, and near-death experiences—Manners and Dvorak are already planning their next attempt.

“We got really close to the top,” Manners said. “And when things went wrong, we were still able to survive and manage ourselves through that really adverse and terrible situation.”

The courage and resilience of these two climbers serve as a reminder that no matter how insurmountable a challenge might seem, it’s possible to overcome. Manners hopes their story will inspire more women and girls to take up the sport and chase their dreams, no matter how high—or treacherous—the climb.

Chase Your Summit

As you read this incredible survival story, what mountain are you trying to climb? Whether it’s a literal peak or a personal goal, remember this: setbacks don’t have to mean defeat. Like Manners and Dvorak, your dreams might sometimes feel like they’re slipping out of reach, but persistence, preparation, and a bit of courage can bring you closer to your summit.