Sad news from base camp

One of the Sherpas at base camp has passed away due to altitude sickness. He was an experienced guide and had made the climb to the top at least 10 times on previous occasions.


Direct from the GlobalHeadlines.ca web site:


Kathmandu: The son of fabled Everest climber Ang Rita Sherpa has died attempting to scale the mountain, officials said on Thursday, in the first death of the season on the world’s highest peak.
Karsang Namgyal Sherpa, an experienced climber in his own right who had conquered the 8848-metre (29029-foot) peak several times, collapsed at Everest base camp on Wednesday, said trek co-ordinator Dambar Parajuli.

“He was active a few minutes before his death. But at 2.30 pm (0815 GMT) he entered his tent and informed the other Sherpas about his problems,” said Parajuli, of the Kathmandu-based Prestige Adventure agency, adding that the probable cause of death was altitude sickness.

Mr Karsang, 40, was the elder of two mountaineering sons of Ang Rita, a 10-time Everest summiteer known in climbing circles as the “Snow Leopard”.

Parajuli said Karsang was in a team of 11 climbers, including three Iranians and a German, who had set off on the expedition from Kathmandu on April 10.


He is due to be cremated on Friday."

Our hearts go out to to the friends and family of Karsang Namgyal. This is very sad news....and a stark reminder of how dangerous altitude sickness can be and how indiscriminately it strikes.

Comparison of Peaks

Kilimanjaro Uhuru Peak (Tanzania, Africa): 5,895 metres (19,341 ft)

Mount Everest North Base Camp (Tibet): 5,545 metres (18,192 ft)
Mount Everest South Base Camp (Nepal): 5,360 metres (17,590 ft)

Kilimanjaro Base Camp-Mandara huts (Tanzania, Africa): 2,725 metres (9,000 ft)
Kilimanjaro Marangu Gate (Tanzania, Africa): 1,800 metres (5,905 ft)


High altitude pulmonary edema: 2,500 metres (8,200 ft)
    - sometimes lower between 1,500–2,500 m or 4,900–8,200 ft in highly vulnerable subjects

Machu Picchu (Peru, South America): 2,430 metres (7,970 ft)

Mount Washington Peak (New Hampshire, USA): 1,917 metres (6,288 ft)

Everest Bound

We 've decided to make a trip to Everest Base Camp. We have no idea what we are in for. We are not experienced mountaineers, climbers or hikers.

Why did we choose Everest and not a hot, sunny place down south? Not sure, but it sounds like it would be something very exciting and amazing to do. Besides, we've been down south several times and we ain't getting any younger. Now's the time to go!

We're inviting friends and family to join us on this trek! Now comes the endless planning process, research, list writing and shopping.  Let the fun begin.