Iñaki (left) and Horia in a lodge near BC some weeks ago. image courtesy of Iñaki's website (click to enlarge).
Image of Alexey Bolotov courtesy of Don Bowie (click to enlarge).
Rescue efforts are taking place on a highly difficult route - image of the climb courtesy of Iñaki's website (click to enlarge).
LINKS
|
Annapurna update: Inaki and Alexey alive – two rescue teams on their way
Posted: May 21, 2008 09:29 am EDT
(Mounteverest.net) Rescue efforts on Annapurna are underway. Two Swiss climbers from a nearby route have reached C3 on Iñaki & team’s route, and contacted member Horia over the radio. News is that both Iñaki and Alexey are alive - Inaki still ill in C4, Aexey reportedly on his way down to C3 earlier today.
A back-up rescue team led by Serguey Bogomolov and two other climbers is on the way as well – however, bad weather conditions have forced the chopper to stop in Chomrong, two thirds of the way from Phokara.
Just one camp away
The Swiss climbers made it up to C3, in spite of difficult sections and cloudy weather. They will try to reach C4 tomorrow. Horia carries a radio and set up a common frequency with the Swiss prior to the summit push last week.
Iñaki is concious but unable to walk. Russian Alexey Bolotov is descending to C3 – his state is unclear.
The back-up team: Climbers willing to help
Meanwhile Serguey Bogomolov, who had recently left BC and was already in Kathmandu, offered to return to Annapurna and help – however, his own recent attempt on the mountain, has left him with a frostbitten toe and probably unable to climb. Two other climbers, just back from different 8000ers, have swiftly joined his team.
This back-up rescue team is bringing a complete medical kit and supplementary O2. In addition, other climbers currently in Nepal have responded to ExWeb call for help, published earlier today.
Ed.Note: Names of the rescuers have been concealed at request from the rescue coordination team in Spain, in order to avoid their sat-phones getting blocked by calls from friends and media.
|
