The search for the remains of South Korean climbers lost in the Himalayas last fall, including renowned mountaineer Park Young-seok, has hit a snag amid inclement conditions, officials said Thursday.

Officials at the Park Young-seok Exploration and Cultural Foundation said the search workers have retreated to their advanced camp on the Annapurna in Nepal, located 5,200 meters above sea level, to avoid an avalanche.

The rescue climbers resumed their search for the remains of Park and his two teammates, Shin Dong-min and Kang Ki-seok, on Aug. 6. The three went missing during their climb up the Annapurna last October. Rescue climbers then suspended their search after 10 days in late October, citing safety concerns, and the funeral for the three was held in November.

Officials said the rescue climbers earlier met an avalanche and will wait at the camp until Sunday to see if conditions there will improve. They are scheduled to return on Sept. 4, officials added. (Yonhap News)