Altitude: 5300m
Atmospheric Pressure: 558mbar
Trek:0km
I got back from Gorek Shep just in time for lunch. The
atmosphere was not as I had expected, some nervousness in the air.
As lunch ended, Russell walked in the tent and straight
away, the guys were asking for “an update”.
It turns out there had been a huge avalanche this morning,
coming from the Nuptsee side, and going straight between Camp 1 and Camp 2.
Not everybody from this morning’s group had made it to Camp
2, and Annie and Amanda had decided to stay and rest at Camp 1, which caused
some worries with regards to how close they were to the avalanche. In fact,
apparently they’d tried to go up to Camp 2 but felt too tired and turned around
to return to Camp 1. This probably saved their lives as the avalanche path
crossed the path up to Camp 2…..
Russell had the latest info, and only 1 Sherpa had been
injured, either by being pushed into a crevasse by the avalanche, breaking 3
ribs, hurting his head and suffering from hypothermia as it took a while to
rescue him. He’s left by helicopter to Kathmandu
hospital by 15:00.
There was also the rumor that in order to escape from the
avalanche, he’d ran and fell in the crevasse, or, he had decided to jump in to
protect himself (we’ve been told to do the same thing!!!).
Apart from that huge reminder that the mountain is “alive”,
this morning’s group made it to Camp 2 in good time ( apart from Annie and
Amanda then). Brian, the guide, had a close call with “head size” blocks of ice
zooming past him in the “risky” area.
It’s fair to say we’re all thinking about tonight, and
hoping we’ll make it to Camp 2 in good time AND in good shape.
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