Overview
- An avalanche struck Nevado Tocllaraju during an early‑morning ascent on Wednesday, June 17, burying three climbers on the route known as El Hombro at roughly 5,400 meters.
- Rescue teams led by the Asociación de Guías de Montaña del Perú and the PNP high‑mountain unit located and evacuated the lone survivor, Peruvian guide Florentino (Floriano) Caldua, who is hospitalized in Huaraz in stable condition.
- Brigades recovered the body of Canadian climber Sandra Covone first and on Friday located the body of Mexican climber Daniel Navarro, completing the recovery operation.
- Operations were repeatedly limited or suspended because of poor visibility, ongoing risk of secondary avalanches and the difficulty of helicopter landings at extreme altitude, which delayed search efforts and forced ground teams to prioritize safety.
- The AGMP and authorities said the incident highlights the need for permanent high‑altitude aerial rescue capacity in Huaraz and raised broader safety concerns as Cordillera Blanca glaciers shrink and routes change, increasing technical hazards for climbers.