Major Himalayan Update: Rescue and Summits on Lhotse–Plus Makalu and Everest

The reports are flying in faster than I can keep up today–

Lhotse

A rock slide swept in to Camp IV yesterday destroying a few of the tents and injuring one climber. Francisco Borja, who was climbing with a Military team from Spain, suffered some pretty major leg injuries and had to be rescued and brought down to a lower camp. Many of the climbers currently in Camp IV aided in getting Borja down Everest’s close neighbor, and at least has him positioned for a possible helicopter run to the hospital.

A team from Asian Trekking is reporting that all members have safely made Lhotse’s summit this morning. They follow Rosa Fernandez and two members of Arnold Coster’s team, who topped out yesterday.

From ExWeb:

As for today’s summits, there are good news from Asian Trekking international team: at 8.45 am, local time, Dawa Steven bagged his third 8000er after Cho Oyu and Everest. Team mates Stuart G. Smith, from Texas, Mexican David L. González, Nima Kanchha Sherpa, Peba Tshering Sherpa, and Palden Nyange Sherpa followed shortly after.

Congrats, Guys (and girls)!

Makalu

Summits on Makalu are being reported today.

Andrew Lock, Blanca Ardanaz, Joao Garcia, Jordi Servosa, as well as a couple of others have succesfully summited Makalu. Another team, that of the Andelusions, was turned back near the summit due to weather.

Everest

I began posting the latest summit attempts on Mt. Everest, late last night. Looks like not much has changed. Explorersweb is currently reporting that Jamie McGuiness and his Project-Himalaya Team topped out yesterday with an audio dispatch from Jamie, while on the summit. It is HERE if you would like to listen.

Spaniards Pepe Baena and Ricardo Guerrero sumitted at 11 am. They were climbing with the Cordoba Everest team. Other Spaniards, including Xavi Arias, Xavi Aimar, and Lina Quesada have summited, as well.

Andrew Brash, Adventure Consultants, SummitClimb, Mountain Trip and a few other expeditions, including Sir Ranulph Fiennes, will be heading up in the next few days, as weather permits.

Weather

My good friends over at Everest Weather and Forensic Meteorology have sent the latest weather report. These are the same weather reports that the Expeditions are receiving, although theirs are a bit more detailed. Thanks guys, appreciate all the great weather reports!

Wednesday 5- 21-08

Estimated summit conditions on Everest at 6 pm Nepal time.

-24 C winds 30 knots from the southwest Cloudy

We will have to keep an eye on all of this, as many more teams are heading to the top of many of the highest peaks in the world. Should be a fun few days here at The Adventurist, albeit, a bit chaotic. Ok, ALOT!

Cheers-

Jason A. Hendricks, Editor