Posted on 05/12/2009 3:22:38 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Tragedy has befallen yet another sherpa at base camp on Columbus resident Bud Allen’s attempt to climb Mount Everest.
Allen, a commercial real estate developer, wrote in his online journal post late Monday that two sherpas apparently drank something spiked with a substance, possibly wood alcohol.
One of the sherpas apparently has died, while another is reportedly in serious condition.
“I can’t understand why they would do that but it is tragic all the same,” Allen wrote. “There has been some speculation that what is an extremely dangerous practice at low altitude could be fatal at 17,500.”
Base camp, the staging point for a trek up Mount Everest, is at that height. Allen, 50, is attempting to climb 29,035-foot Everest, the tallest peak in the world. It’s located on the border of Nepal and Tibet in southwest Asia. He failed in a previous attempt in 2006 after developing a pulmonary infection. This is the second tragedy to occur on Everest this year. Last week, a sherpa in Allen’s own group, Eco Expedition, was swept away by an avalanche in an ice fall area just above base camp. His body likely won’t be recovered. Sherpas are paid porters who carry climbers’ equipment and food to help them reach the summit.
Allen is now spending time in the lower-elevation village of Pheriche, riding out snowy weather and gaining strength.
“There isn’t a lot of reason to hurry back,” he wrote. “In the little information we have been able to get ... there doesn’t appear there will be a summit window now for seven to eight days.”
Injecting humor into his writing Monday, Allen wrote, “So let’s see: a cold tent at 17,500 and camp food or a much less cold room in a tea house at 14,500 ordering from a menu? Even my hypoxic brain can process that one.”
What a way to go.
Antifreeze?
Sterno fuel?
HIGH adventure.
Scared the heck out of me just watching K2 the movie
sounds like a blast....so at cocktail parties does he start out like this...”one day at base camp.....”
RIP.
That sounds like one tough way to make a living!
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