It’s been a dreadful week for adventure sports lovers as few mountaineers, (10 as of now) have died on the world’s highest peak, Mt Everest. Climbers embarked to scale the summit of Mt Everest, but an unusual “traffic jam” at the Hillary Step (a 12 mt-vertical rock face, and the real challenge before reaching the top via the South Col route) resulted in high altitude sickness for a few mountaineers leading to the their death.
Hyderabad’s Amgoth Tukaram recounts the horrific experience while he was descending from the peak, on Tuesday, where he narrowly escaped death. “I can’t believe I am still alive, it’s God’s grace,” shares Amgoth speaking from Everest Base Camp (EBC), adding, “It’s been very scary and we are dejected to see our friends dying here — and some are still missing. I had a narrow escape. I injured my foot badly, and had to limp, and eventually came to EBC on one leg.”
An unprecedented “human traffic jam” triggered chaos among the climbers. “The Hillary terrain rope is a very dangerous thin border, and is known as ‘death zone’. Since it is a one-way, climbers were made to wait for a long time for their turn to move. And this resulted in a long queue,” laments Amgoth.
But according to Amgoth, the reasons for death are also weakness in resistance and harsh climate. Already exhausted climbers couldn’t endure the long queues. While a few fainted, some died due to lack of oxygen. “Most people can spend only a few minutes at the top, without extra oxygen supplies. So there’s a high risk of being frostbitten and hypothermia,” he explains, adding that the weather has also been harsher than usual. “Sudden changes in conditions, inclement weather, strong winds, etc., affected the already exhausted climbers who were standing in the queue. Several climbers fell sick and collapsed on the spot after being caught in the jam, and a few died due to low energy,” he lamented.
Expressing grief, Amgoth, a native of Thakkallapally Thanda in Rangareddy district, said he tried to rescue a few climbers, but failed.
“The situation is horrifying here. We tried to wake up a climber who was lying, but he eventually died due to illness at the base camp 3. Even Sherpas tried to lift him, but because of the harsh climate conditions, they couldn’t. Even the choppers are finding it difficult to go up due to extreme weather conditions,” wept Amgoth.
While his dream of scaling Mt Everest came true, and that it was an inexplicable experience, Amgoth states that he has now realised the value of life. “I’ve seen my fellow companions dying in front of me and I just couldn’t take it. I realised how valuable and tough life is. It’s a gift,” said Amgoth whose expedition also has a message. “I appeal everyone to protect the five elements of nature — earth, water, fire, air and space.”
