I am interrupting my blog flow to report on the avalanche that hit at Everest base camp and killed 12 Sherpas with four others missing and presumed dead. This accident makes it the single worst loss of life in Everett’s history. All in all, it is a very very bad and sad day.
I had just started my way down from base camp 2 days earlier after 2 amazing nights and days at base camp. It is a very cool, surreal and very functional place. Lots of climbers preparing for their climb, lots of guides and support people – it is a major operation to support even just one person making the climb and there are over 500 climbers at base camp. There are also many many Sherpa who serve in a variety of roles. Some are guides, some will support individuals up the summit, some help with camp logistics, and some help with cooking. Our climbing company, Alpine Ascents, is using Lakpa Rita Sherpa as the lead Sherpa. He is a legend and has climbed Everest 18 times. He is responsible for all of the Sherpa and they respect him greatly and he cares for them dearly.
Most of them are from the same small village of Thame. We went there on this trip and stayed at Lakpa’s sisters tea house and and had tea at his parents home. It is a very small, close knit Sherpa village. Most of the 30 plus Sherpa who supported our group come from there and are related in one way or another. Unfortunately, we believe 5 of the 14 Sherpa killed were from our group – Alpine Ascents. This is a major blow to the team, the climb, their families, and their community. It will be interesting to see how the various groups decide to move forward, if at all. This is not just something you can recover from. It will leave a lasting impression for years to come.
From what I understand, the avalanche happened about 6:45 am as Sherpas worked above the Khimbu Ice Fall and camp 1 about 1,500 ft. above base camp. I have pics I will attach once I get Internet access. You will see the magnitude of the falls and the danger they present.
My tent was right below the Khimbu falls. At night, all I could hear was the sound of climbers assembling their gear for the climb in the dark and the sound of the avalanches which fell throughout the night. They all sounded like they were coming through my tent and would keep you up at night. I can only imagine what they sounded like when you are standing in the dark, tied to a line, and hanging on a 1,000 ft ice fall.
It has been strange here as there are many mixed emotions. We are happy that we have completed our mission in climbing Kala Patar and spending 2 days at base camp. Both were amazing and emotional accomplishments for most of the us. At the same time you are saddened by the loss of life. No matter which Sherpa you know they are directly impacted. Then there are the climbers. I can only imagine what’s going through their minds. They are very strong and tough individuals, but this is so much bigger than anything they can control. It will be interesting to see how it plays out over the next couple of days. They still have about 6 weeks to go until it is time to summit.
Please make sure to say a prayer for the courageous, simple and nice people that are the Sherpa. You can’t leave this place without great respect for them as climbers and people. They do a very dangerous job and all the while with a humble smile and willingness to help in any way. God bless those who were lost and their families.
The pic of me with the man in the red jacket is Lakpa Rita the head Sherpa guide. The pic of the tent with the flags is mine with the Khimbu ice falls behind it.
