Two Italian mountaineers coming back down Himalayan peak Nanga Parbat after losing their leader last week have run into a blizzard, rescue services said Monday.
The snowstorm has forced them to pitch tent for the night but they have enough food and heating to get along, sources at base camp said.
''They should be OK. They're in good spirits and we're waiting confidently,'' said the head of Italy's Himalayan operations, Agostino Da Polenza.
There was fear for the pair's lives late last week after they went ahead on a new route up the peak and lost radio contact.
But they are now back in touch and attempting to reach a point on the mountain where they can ski down.
Walter Nones, 34, and Simon Kehrer, 29, told mission radio Sunday they were in good shape and ready to take to their skis.
Last Wednesday Karl Unterkircher, 37, one of Italy's most famous climbers, lost his life when he fell into a ravine on the peak, one of the world's deadliest.
