Pablo Ochoa de Olza reports "Don and Denis are between C1 and C2, going up like rockets and will reach Inaki sometime in the next 24 hours." They are climbing with a Nepalese Sherpa, carrying O2 for Inaki and additional high altitude gear for Ueli. They spent 8 hours rapidly gaining elevation in deep snow that hampered their ascent. They hope to reach Inaki and Ueli tomorrow.

 

Kaldo Aldaz the cheif coordinator of the rescue efforts soberly commented: "They (Don and Denis together with Ueli) would not be enough to bring Inaki down.  The rescue effort will need as many as possible to get as high as possible and as fast as possible."

 

Tomorrow the weather forecast is perfect, especially in the morning. 06:00 Nepal time or earlier, a third rescue team should arrive on the mountain. They comprise 1 Polish Doctor, 5 Nepalese who are climbing Sherpas, and 2 Romanian climbers. With them they have a pressure bag, O2 and additional medicines for all. They will fly to C1 or C2 weather permitting.

Horia who has risked his life and health for his friend and climbing partner Inaki, is now safe at Camp 3 together with Swiss climber Simon. Although not being in great condition because of being at high altitude for so long he as managed to get down to C3 alone. Tomorrow Horia and Simon descend to Base Camp. Alexey who is either at C3 or C2 should also reach Base camp.

 

Inaki is sleeping quietly at 7400m. The Swiss climber Ueli is with him, keeping him alive, giving him Dexa and other medical assistance. Inaki's health condition is static although his breathing is becoming ashmatic. Inaki is going to need O2 quickly. Time is vital. He can drink but can not walk neither can he talk. Ueli is awaiting Don and Dennis Urbuko's arrival with O2 and other medical supplies.

(7:08 AM Nepal Time) Don together with Denis Urubko and Serguey Bogomolov continue for a second day to be grounded in Chomrong, a town 6-7 hours away from Base Camp on foot. This back-up rescue team led by Serguey is bringing a complete medical kit and supplementary O2. When the weather is more favorable its hoped that Don and Denis will be airlifted as high as possible on the mountain. Its uncertain if Serguey will assist in this aspect of the rescue as he is apparently recovering from frostbite sustained on Annapurna 10 days ago.

We are glad to report that the two Swiss climbers forming an advance rescue team have made contact with Horia by radio. Xplorersweb reports "both Iñaki and Alexey are alive - Inaki is concious but unable to walk and remains in C4. The Russian, Alexey Bolotov whose state is unclear is reportedly on his way down to C3 earlier today." The Swiss rescuers who have been held up at C3 due to bad weather will try to reach C4 tomorrow.