The well-known mountaineer Luis Stitzinger from the Allgäu is missing in the Himalayas. The experienced mountain and ski guide was alone on the third highest mountain in the world, the eight-thousander Kanchenjunga (8586 meters) on the border between India and Nepal, said Thaneshwor Guragain, an employee of his Nepalese expedition company Seven Summit Treks, the German Press Agency on Monday. According to the report, Stitzinger only used Sherpas services at the base camp. The last time a local mountaineer from the Sherpa people saw him was last Thursday descending to around 8500 meters.

An employee from the Nepalese Ministry of Tourism confirmed that Stitzinger is missing. The expedition company said it sent a rescue team of four Sherpas. However, it was not able to climb up in the face of bad weather, it was said. In addition, they did not have his exact location, since his GPS device stopped sending signals during his ascent.

Stitzinger climbed several eight-thousanders and other high mountains, partly with his wife Alix von Melle, who is also a mountaineer. Together they published the book "Passion for Life: Together on the Highest Mountains in the World". The description of the book reads: "Luis was already at home in the mountains as a child; the experienced mountain guide and expedition leader crowns ascents with spectacular ski runs. Often, caring for each other puts the relationship to the test."