Hope floats: City trekker stuck in Everest camp safe

For the last 48 hours Praveen, along with 50 mountaineers, has been stuck at the Camp II of Mt Everest, at a height of about 6,000 metres. Praveen is representing the Mt Everest trekking from Asian Trekking Agency, led by five-time Everest climber Loveraj Singh Dharmashaktu. G.S. Venkatesh, Director of Youth Services and Sports, said that Praveen is safe in Camp I of Everest and communication has been established with the team leader. “We are following the developments on the Mt Everest and also in touch with authorities in Nepal for early evacuation of stranded trekkers. Today due to another avalanche caused by aftershocks, the helicopter sorties were unable to rescue anyone from the Camp II. We have assured Praveen’s family members of all assistance,” the officer said.

Keerthi Pias, advisor for General Thimmaiah National Academy for Adventure (GETHNAA), said that Praveen and his teammates had trekked for four hours to reach Camp I. “Several casualties were reported at the Everest Base Camp due to avalanche and the route between Camp I and Base Camp of Mt Everest has been totally cut off, hence air rescue is the only option. As the avalanche has brought down heavy blocks of ice, trekking to the Base Camp is almost impossible.

This option will be considered only if the helicopter rescues fail to happen till late Monday. We are hoping that the weather condition will soon become favorable, so that Praveen and other mountaineers are brought to safety,” Pias said.

The family members of Praveen, residing in J P Nagar, are a worried lot. His parents were inconsolable and his siblings were hoping for his early rescue. “For the last two days we have been frantically waiting to hear his voice.

Already there have been heavy rainfall warnings and anything can happen on the mountains. Hence we are requesting the government to take special care to bring back Praveen,” said Rashmi C.M., Praveen’s sister.