SummitClimb Pumori 2006: Jay reports in on the sat phone

This is Jay from SummitClimb calling in with the latest news from the

SummitClimb.com International Pumori Expedition.  I'm going to read this dispatch because I've written it out.  It's very difficult to make a dispatch about an incident like this.  Dispatches are supposed to report good news and success, not news of accident and injury.  But I guess every day has its night.

The accident injured three people, two climbing Sherpas, Lakpa Cheri and Tenzing, and one climbing member, Dennis Jonsson from Sweden.  Lakpa Chiri was the most seriously injured, with a broken lower leg, three broken ribs, and suspected internal injury.  Tenzing Sherpa sustained a dislocated shoulder and a hip, and Dennis has a suspected broken ankle.  Right now let me assure you that all three injured are currently in expert medical care in Katmandu, after being flown from Base Camp by a Nepalese Army helicopter this morning.  Let me also assure you that all the other members of the expedition are safe in Base Camp and there are no other injuries.

The exact cause of the fall that occurred is yet to be determined.  A little bit about the rescue-it started immediately after the accident  on summit day at approximately 930am at an altitude of around 6900 meters.  By 130am the following morning the two injured Sherpas had been lowered to Camp One at 6100 meters.   Dennis made a wise choice to remain in Camp Two that evening. He was there with his fellow Swedes Jonas and Richard.  At 9am that morning the two injured Sherpas were starting to be lowered to Advance Base Camp at 5700 meters.  They arrived there at 330am the following morning.  Dennis meanwhile, slowly made his way to Camp One with the assistance of Lapka Kongli Sherpa plus his fellow Swedes.

After battling well below freezing conditions over almost 35 grueling hours, the kitchen staff and some of the rested members took over the job of bringing the injured Sherpas down from Advance Base Camp to a small camp set up half way between Base Camp and Advance Base Camp.  Lapka Kongle now with the help of Phuri Sherpa brought Dennis to the intermediate camp.  Early this morning the injured were brought to Base Camp to meet the helicopter.

I'd like to thank all the members and staff for their superhuman effort, and it really was in this multi-casualty high altitude rescue.  Our entire team pulled together and we've saved three lives.  It was pretty amazing.  Every single person did what they could and didn't shirk a single chance to help. I'd like to give special mention to Walt Reisinger, Les Williams, John Percy, Matthew Vulk, Shera, Phuri and Lakpa Kongle Sherpa.  They truly went above and beyond in the fact that we may not have had the success that we did.  Thank you everyone.

SummitClimb Pumori Spring 2006 Expedition Roster

Mr. Jay REILLY  Australia, Leader

MR. Philip LING  Australia, Leader In Training

Mr. Dan MAZUR  Bristol, England and Seattle, Washington, USA, Organizer

Mr. Jonas AHLMAN  Sweden

MR. Richard CARLSSON  Sweden

MS. Amanda FITSCHEN  South Africa

MR. Mikael FORSBERG  Sweden

MR. Jack HUDOCK  Maine, USA

MR. Dennis JONSSON   Sweden

MR. John KAZANAS  Australia

MR. Reinhold LOOS  Germany

MR. John PERCY  England

MR. Fritz RADUN  Germany

MR. Wally REISINGER  Canada

MR. Tony SEGELSTROM  Sweden

MR. Bert VELDHUIS  Netherlands

Mr. Matt VULK  California, USA

Mr. Les WILLIAMS  New Zealand

Trekking members:

MR. Will DENNY  England

MR. Eoghan SHARKEY  Ireland

MR. David VLASBLOM  Canada

Previous Update: Today the helicopter flew at noon.

Dennis, Lakpa Chiri and Tenzing were on board.

Lets hope it is a quick flight to Kathmandu were they can get checked over in the hospital.

Thanks to Dennis, Lakpa Chiri and Tenzing for their strength and endurance in this very tough rescue.

Thanks to Jay Reilly and Philip Ling and the entire Pumori team of members and Sherpas for their amazing efforts in a very difficult mission of bringing the three injured climbers down safely.

Thanks to the families, loved ones, friends, and colleagues of all involved for their support. And, a special thanks goes out to everyone at EverestNews.com for keeping everyone informed about the rescue. Dan Mazur

Dispatch Index

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