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From Crevasse to Cause: A Near-Death for Glaciers
18 Jun
Summary
- Mountaineer survived 72 hours trapped in a glacier crevasse.
- His near-death experience inspired a global foundation for glaciers.
- Himalayan glaciers have lost over 40% of ice since 2000.
In April 2023, mountaineer Anurag Maloo survived a harrowing 72 hours trapped in a glacier crevasse at nearly 6,000 meters. After a fall, he was presumed clinically dead but revived through an extensive four-hour CPR. This near-death experience profoundly impacted him, leading to the founding of The Voice of Glaciers Foundation in 2025.
The foundation addresses the critical issue of glacier loss, a significant threat to South Asia's water security. Himalayan glaciers have lost over 40% of their ice volume since 2000, with ice-loss rates doubling. Maloo aims to bring glaciers into public consciousness through festivals and campaigns.
Further objectives include building digital infrastructure for glacier risk assessment and mobilizing capital for preservation. This involves developing multi-hazard warning systems and monitoring tools. Maloo advocates for glacier preservation to be a mainstream sustainability priority, integrated into corporate and philanthropic commitments.
The foundation emphasizes that glacier crisis is a civilizational problem, not just a mountain issue. It seeks to shift the discourse, highlighting the role of technology in addressing this humanitarian emergency and the urgent need to protect these vital water resources before it is too late.
