Langtang Lirung rescue update: Tomaz Humar lost
04:00 am CST Nov 13, 2009
(MountEverest.net/night team/story update 11.55 pm) It is with sadness we received this update by the rescue team: "The rescue was made just a few minutes ago. Pilot Robert Andenmatten and rescuer Simon Anthamatten could get Tomaz down from Langthang Lirung. Unfortunately Tomaz did not survive! All our thoughts are with his family and friends".
(MountEverest.net/Madrid) Concerns grow for Slovenian Tomaz Humar, reported missing on Langtang Lirung. Chopper pilots and Sherpa rescuers have been unable to find the injured climber in the area he was expected to be. A second rescue team, just arrived in BC from Switzerland, is currently halted by bad weather and high avalanche risk. Asian Trekking’s Dawa Sherpa just updated news in an email to ExplorersWeb.
Monday: First SOS call
“Mr. Tomaz Humar, Slovenian nationality, left towards Langtang Lirung on October 5th, aiming for a solo climb," Dawa wrote.
“On the evening of November 9th, Asian Trekking received an emergency call from BC crew member Jagat: Tomaz had had an accident at approximately 6,300m and requested immediate rescue.”
“The following morning (Nov10th), a helicopter with four Nepalese Climbing Sherpas (geared up with rescue equipment)were sent to BC. The chopper scouted the face loking for a certain location Humar had previously described. The crew was unable to spot the climber though. Then the helicopter dropped the rescue team in Base Camp and returned to Kathmandu.”
Tuesday: Tomaz’s latest call
“That day (Nov 10th) at 10:00am was also the last time Tomaz called Jagat,” Dawa continued. “The conversation was very short. Tomaz seemed to be in a very critical condition and his voice was very weak. He said: ’Jagat, this is my last!’. There was no further contact with Tomaz after that.”
“Meanwhile, the Sherpa rescue team set up Camp 1 at 5,800m before nightfall.”
Wednesday: no trace
“On the following morning (Nov11th) the Sherpas proceeded up to the spot Humar had pointed out as latest location, but were unable to find him.”
“A snow storm unfolding on Nov 12th (yesterday) forced the Sherpa team back to BC.”
Today’s news: Rescuers and choppers grounded
“Three Rescue pilot/climbers from Switzerland are arriving today, together with some Tomaz’s relatives. We’ll discuss further rescue efforts with them.”
Further news arrived two hours later, from Slovenia’s Climbing federation. “Bad weather (thick fog) has kept the chopper grounded today, making any further search flight impossible” Branko Ivanek told Barrabes.com. “The Swiss rescue team has just reached BC, but avalanche risk (after the recent snowfall) is too high to venture up the face.”
“The situation is serious,” Branko added. “We’re being told that Tomaz’s injuries may be worse than expected; besides a broken leg and snapped ribs, he might have back injuries as well. Should that be confirmed, an airlift would be the only possible option.”
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