I’m back in Base Camp after many days on the mountain. All’s well (mostly), I did what I needed to (mostly), and I’m heading down to Dingboche (4300m/ 14,100 ft) for a stiff dose of oxygen and I hope, warmth.
A stiff dose of reality. Yesterday, a massive ice avalanche from the hanging glacier on the West Ridge pasted the lower part of the route up the icefall. One European was injured, and sadly a Sherpa died. I’m sure you can get the details elsewhere. They were trying to recover his body as I came down from C2 this morning.
My condolences to both families. More info on the Sherpa as I get it. Ian from the AJ team let the deceased man’s cousin use a sat phone to call home from C2 last night.
No amount of risk management can stop such an overwhelming avalanche. Unless you stay home all the time. But then, how much are you living?
Photos to come