Location: Everest Base Camp
Altitude: 5350m
Local Time: 17:30pm, 1 May
Weather: -5C overnight, warm in the morning, snowing heavily now
Hi All, It’s Paul here.
There has been another accident in the icefall today, involving an Italian person climbing Lhotse.
Icefall Accident
The person was descending through the icefall alone and slipped, hitting his head hard. Apparently he wasn’t wearing crampons or a helmet. People found him on the side of the route with his head in his hands, vomiting. When the alarm was raised a group of Sherpas including two from IMG, climbed up to him with oxygen and a stretcher and then carried him down – an amazing feat given the terrain.
A number of members from IMG also climbed up part way and helped carrying the stretcher. We took him to the helicopter pad and a helicopter was requested, however in the end it couldn’t come because of oncoming bad weather. This was extremely frustrating. We then carried him back to the HRA medical clinic, where he is going to stay the night. Hopefully the weather will be OK in the morning for a helicopter to take him out.
Catching up on base camp duties
Both Fiona and I did our laundry this morning, and of course we have been eating lots. I have lost a bit of weight on the trip up high so I am seeking to remedy this as fast as possible. I have been sticking mainly to cheese, and Fiona to chocolate. The NASA team also gave us some chocolate cake which we both enjoyed.
Mary’s Trek
Mary has access to the internet today and will hopefully post as message to the site. We found out that Mary’s guide, Tashi, is the Sirdar that we had on our Trek into Base Camp. Tashi is a great person; really friendly and always eager to help out whenever needed. She is definitely in very good hands.
Bud Allen
Bud left us yesterday, unfortunately he didn’t feel well and decided to go home and seek expert medical advice. We understand that everything is OK. We shall really miss Bud – he was always great to talk to and I particularly was interested in hearing about his long and successful property development career. One of the things I found out about Bud was that in his spare time he uses his own plane and fuel to fly sick people around the US for medical treatment. He said that sometimes you think you have a lot on and life isn’t too good, and then you meet someone who has a baby that is very ill and it puts your issues into perspective. Bud will be missed by all the team here and hopefully he’ll be back next year.
Your Messages
We passed all the messages onto Jim. Tam, Dennis doesn’t know either what “bag suck” is.
Hi Tony, Dad has been keeping us informed of your situation and we are both thinking of you from near the top of the world. Keep your chin up and we hope you get better soon.
Hi Sandy, Fiona loved seeing your message. Says you are as crazy as her mum.
Hi Jazmine, Great to hear and know that you are following us. Things have certainly moved on since the last time we saw you. Hopefully our paths will cross again sooner than later.
Hi Deb, Dan is up at camp 2 at the moment. Today they walked out to the base of the Lhotse face and climbed up it a little way. They are all back at C2 now. I think the plan is for a rest day tomorrow and then go up to C3 the day after. When he gets back down, he’ll do another post, assuming we are here.
Bye for now,
Paul.
ATTENTION MARY: if possible please access email. need reply to last emails re charging up your phone, love John
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Hi Paul and Fiona. I’m with you, day by day.
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Hey Jim,
All of us at home are following the progress of you and your friends with great anticipation. It is “too cool” to have the up to date info. via the internet. I also saw Frances Stevens a few days ago. She too is getting updates, and is proud of you, as we all are. “Stay Safe & Climb High!”
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Thanks for the great website and best of luck to you on your quest…please tell Jim Gagne that many of us back in New Hampshire are thinking about him for a safe and successful expedition!
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Sorry to hear about another accident, but glad there are no fatal incidents. Hope everything turns out okay.
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Hi Fiona and Paul
I am sorry to hear about the accident on the icefall. It is surprising that the Italian climber was not wearing a helmet or crampons but I hope he will be all right.
Tam: I tried to get info on the mountaineering term “bag suck”. The following statement was the closest definition I could find. (I didn’t spend a whole lot of time researching!) “By trimming all excess space, the sleeping bag becomes closer fitting and reduces the flow of air inside the bag that can suck out all the heat.” (I have no idea if this is what “bag suck” means…just one possibility!) MC
p.s. To the entire IMG team: Adding to Tam’s “slogan”: Stay strong, climb safe and rest well.
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Hi Paul and Fiona
I have been following your climb so far with great interest and amazement. You two are just so brave.
I’m also really so sorry to be hearing about the accidents.
I am glad to see you are both okay and climbing well. You are the source of much dinner table discussion as you climb- we were having a big talk about you at Rich and Raz’s house the other night- you’re both very inspiring!
Be very safe and best wishes to both of you.
Lots of Love, Leanne
PS- I am very jealous of your eating regime….any activity that enables you to “have to eat” sounds very good to me!
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Hi Fiona and Paul
I am Jim Gagne’s uncle and I have been following your adventures on Mt. Everest and passing them on to Jim’s family in New Hampshire. We all appreciate the daily updates that you provide for us at home. Please let Jim know that all is well in NH and we wish the entire IMG Team a safe and successful summit. We are all very proud of our NH native. Please tell him that Nana sends LXX. Continue to “Dream Big-Dare To Fail”
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hey jim gagne,
we are following along with your climb every day on this website and on everestnews.com. it is great to read the updates and see the pictures posted by fiona and paul!
you are missing one of the worst brush fire seasons in recent NH history. just came back from another one.
stay safe and healthy. best wishes from Nashua!!
pat and jennifer nelson
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Hi all
So soory to hear about the Italian. My heart always skips a beatr when we see the small helicopters go over because Tashi told me they were the rescue ones.
Yes, Tashi is the same Tashi you know. He is so king and looks adfter me really well. He watches as I access this and loves to see your photos.
Rest day in Tengboche yesterday and I was able to visit Rempacharge and have a tour of the monastery and Eco Info Centre. . I asked for a blessing for you and your sherpas’ safety, which he gave. Off to Dengboche now. It snowed here last night. So beautiful to get up and watch the sun rise over Everest. Words cannot explain the beauty of all that I can see around me. Out of one window of my room is Everest and the beautiful monastery out of the other! Am off to the bakery (yes! there is a bakery in Tengboche!!) to buy you somthing from there. lol and see you soon. Mary xxx
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Hi Paul and Fiona,
Reading with interest, amazement and at times trepidation your daily postings. Take care
Jenny (friend of Mary)
Hughesdale Primary school all send their support and best wishes
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Hi Paul and Fiona
Sorry to hear about the latest accident, my thoughts are with the climber and hope he recovers well.
Congratulations on completing your first climb to the Lhotse face. Well done for getting back to Base Camp safely. Safety is so important in such a hostile environment, I’m sure it is frustrating at times but definitly “better to be safe than sorry”.
Mary, it sounds like you are doing well on your big climb. When do you expect to be in Base Camp? I hope the rest of the trek goes well.
Your whole adventure certainly inspires some treking in such a beautiful place.
Keep safe and well.
Rose
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Hi Mary,
A special one for you. You’re doing a great job!! Terrific to have you on board for the daily updates.So pleased it’s all going well.
(I’m almost inspired to climb up the hill at Point Ormond now!!!
Stay safe and lots of love,
Glenda and Colin xxx
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Hi Gag –
Be well and enjoy your trek. Impressed with what you are doing and look forward to hearing about it. Take a look around the world for me –
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Message to Jim Gagne,
Hi Jim, We are thinking of you and your fellow climbers daily, please come home safe and sound. We are all well and waiting for your safe return home…… Love you Joan,Doug Maggie and kids.
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Hey Gag,
Read the other night that you made the Summit. Good going. You deserve it.
Jack Thompson
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