Priorities turn to those who are on the mountain. Weather conditions are described as rather rough. Snow is falling on the upper sections. In addition to excessive snow, the south face of Annapurna is wrapped in a thick fog, and visibility is poor.

 

Don and Denis have retreated to C3, where they will await Ueli's descent in the morning.

 

Russian Serguey Bogomolov and Polish Doctor Robert Szymczak are wating for them in C2. The third rescue team together with a group of Sherpas, shall be on their way back down or already in BC.

In spite of loads of snow and fighting exhaustion above C3. Don and his fellow rescuers were pressing on to Inaki and Ueli when the sad news reached them.

Emotionally distraught Don called his Support Team: "...He died! He died!... I can't believe it! He died!..." Then Don burst into tears and wept! Moments later as he tried to compose himself he exclaimed: "I've gotta go now. We have to get to Ueli. He needs our help!"

(MountEverest.net/Madrid) In spite off all efforts, Iñaki couldn't make it. Further pulmonary complications had worsened up his state, until he passed away at 12.30 pm, local time. Ueli Steck, the Swiss high altitude mountaineer, was with the sick Spaniard, trying to reanimate him until the end.

Don's heartfelt thoughts and prayers and sympathy goes out to Iñaki's family as well as to his home team, Horia Colibasanu (Iñaki's climbing mate) and all those who have supported and closely followed the extraordinary 8000 m career of Iñaki - a climbing ace!

(9:30 AM – Nepal Time) Lena from RussianClimb reported: "I've just talked with Serguey Bogomolov. I heared him very clearly. He and Robert, the Polish medical doctor, are in C2. "Simon and Horia were picked up by heli from C2. Other rescuers are going up to C2." Serguey sees three climbers at 6500 - Denis, Don and... Alexey Bolotov. "Alexey decided to join the rescuers, and to help bring oxygen bottles to C3." In that moment Denis turned on his radio. I listened in: "Hello, Serguey…! We're OK, but very tired... very heavy snow... I think, we'll reach C3 in 2-3 hours..." I listened as Denis breathed very hard... Bolotov is incredible!”

(4:30 AM - Nepal Time) Don called to report: "We arrived at Camp 2 at around 2 AM. After taking a couple of hours to rest and re-hydrate we are now preparing to head up the wall to C3." Sounding tired he emphasized "We are determined to try for camp 4 in the next push."