The remains of 31-year-old American paraglider Trevor Bockstahler were recovered in northern India’s Himachal Pradesh, following a strenuous 48-hour rescue operation.

The incident took place in a ravine between Kee and Tashigang in Lahaul and Spiti district on June 17.

Visuals showed a rescue team was transporting a dead body across a dangerous mountain. Due to the perilous terrain, the team had predetermined several safe points along the route. At each of these points, they planned to carefully move the body to ensure safety. The journey involved navigating steep cliffs, rocky paths, and narrow trails, requiring meticulous planning and coordination to avoid accidents.

The operation, described as one of the most challenging in recent history, involved navigating treacherous scree and rocky terrain over a distance of 1,900 feet and scaling a 400-foot cliff requiring advanced technical climbing skills. The total ascent from the road head at 12,500 feet to the recovery site was 2,300 feet.

Authorities discovered Bockstahler’s body in a ravine between Kee and Tashigang, bringing an end to a tense search that tested the limits of the rescue teams’ endurance and expertise. The mortal remains have been transported to Police Station Kaza for further procedures.

“The remains of 31-year-old American paraglider Mr. Bockstahler Trevor, missing near Kaza in Lahoul & Spiti, were brought down from 14,800 feet by ITBP mountaineers after one of the most challenging rescue missions that lasted more than 48 hours. SDRF and police assisted,”.