Rescue underway on Annapurna

[Posts: 1168Joined: 24 Jun 2007, 09:47Location: Triemli, Switzerland]

The word 'hero' is so over used in sport/life that I might have hesitated to use it here. But there's no doubt in my mind at all that Ueli Steck (32) and Simon Anthamatten (26) are true heroes.
Ueli

They were at base camp south face of Annapurna when news came in that Spanish climber Iñaki Ochoa had had a stroke at 7400m. The weather/avalanches have been appalling hence Ueli and Simon waiting at base camp before their summit bid.
But no sooner did the news come in they started to climb. Have reached 6900m and are resting overnight before the final push to Iñaki .
I hope it's not a forlorn attempt because the last telephone report had Iñaki unconscious and the batteries on the satellite phone ran out 24 hours ago.
Simon

Simon (I happen to know him but am no way biased) is an amazing young climber/person and so is Ueli and they are risking their lives to save a fellow climber.
After the events on Everest in the last couple of years where climbers have stepped over dead and dying climbers to reach the summit I think their actions are of the highest order.
Good luck to them and if you have a god of any sort please have a word on their behalf and get them all back safely.

[Posts: 363Joined: 14 Aug 2006, 20:12Location: Lincoln]

An incredible story and I hope with all my heart that it has a happy ending. Please keep us up to date with any news.
xx

[Posts: 1168Joined: 24 Jun 2007, 09:47Location: Triemli, Switzerland]

Thanks Lekha, we should know something hopefully in the next six or so hours. They may push on during the night.

[Posts: 6687Joined: 25 Feb 2001, 19:39Location: Surrey]

Good luck to them.

I hope they find the Spanish climber and all return safely.

Regards - Matron

[Posts: 1168Joined: 24 Jun 2007, 09:47Location: Triemli, Switzerland]

Thanks Matron - I think they need you and the helicopter up there

[Posts: 1168Joined: 24 Jun 2007, 09:47Location: Triemli, Switzerland]

Latest news this morning has Ueli very close to arriving at Camp 4 with medication for Iñaki and Don Bowie and Denis Urubko are also on the way with much needed oxygen.
Simon has been unable to go on to Camp 4 and is resting at Camp 3 which will at least give the team a fresh and rejuvenated climber for the difficult descent.
A helicopter is expected to fly a Polish doctor, two Romanian alpinists a Russian alpinist and several Sherpas in to assist in the crossing of the glacier to base camp.

[Posts: 1168Joined: 24 Jun 2007, 09:47Location: Triemli, Switzerland]

Very sad news this morning. Inaki has died from the stroke. Simon is on his way back from Camp 3 but Ueli is still in Camp 4 with Inaki.
Not sure they can bring him home at this stage, they may have to wait until the weather improves as it would be an unnecessary danger to themselves.
Inaki rallied long enough to express his thanks for their efforts and all the messages from around the world that they were able to tell him about.

[Posts: 6687Joined: 25 Feb 2001, 19:39Location: Surrey]

Terribly sad news Kingston Town.

I was hoping for a positive update from you.

My condolences go out to Inaki's family and friends.

Regards - Matron

[Posts: 5256Joined: 31 Aug 2007, 23:42Location: derby]

so relieved that your friend Simon is ok [he's the same age as my son]; if only everyone could be as brave and unselfish as these guys; makes me very aware that, whilst I'm just getting on with my life awful things are happening to other people all over the world.

[Posts: 1168Joined: 24 Jun 2007, 09:47Location: Triemli, Switzerland]

Thanks guys, they were really good out there and did everything they could. Hopefully they'll be down in base camp later today and someone will look after them.

[Posts: 1168Joined: 24 Jun 2007, 09:47Location: Triemli, Switzerland]

Both Simon and Ueli are safely back at base camp. They will not continue on with their own summit attempt now and will fly back to Kathmandu on Monday.
Lucky I'll be able to catch up with them on Thursday in Grindelwald, I imagine they'll be pretty exhausted after all the events so hopefully they'll get a bit of rest over the next week or so.
Iñaki will stay on the mountain at the request of his family - it's what he would have wanted.

Thanks again everyone