Army helicopters on Saturday rescued four Russian trekkers and four porters and guides who were trapped for some days at a height of 14,000 feet at Arbataal area near Gangotri in the Himalayas.

After failing due to bad weather, the choppers made another attempt on Saturday in Chamoli district and rescued the expedition team which was trapped  after running out of ration.

The team was trapped at Gangotri area, which was hit by snowstorm last week, after its members embarked on trekking at the arduous Harsil-Mana route on September 18.

The expedition members have been taken to a hospital in Joshimuth where their condition was stated to be stable.

Meanwhile, three other teams comprising trekkers, cooks, porters and guides in the Garhwal himalayas on Harsil-Mana route returned to Gangotri area.

Another mountaineering team, which was trapped at Urthing area after scaling Panchachuli peak in Kumaon region, also came back to Pithoragarh area where they have been hospitalised. One member of this team died.