After a week spent high on Everest, a helicopter has finally airlifted three climbers stuck at Camp 2 to safety. It is good news, but several unanswered questions remain.
Dan Mazur of Summit Climb confirmed that a helicopter had picked up the two Americans and one Nepalese Sherpa on May 31. “The weather, the mountain, the Sherpas, the pilots, and everything and everyone worked together to bring our team down safely,” Mazur wrote. The team members had attempted to reach the summit on May 26 and 27.
How, why?
There are no details on the climbers’ condition. Authorities only permit airlifts from Camp 2 in case of emergency, but Mazur said yesterday that the climbers were okay, apart from running short of fuel and food. American Josh Bregmen was also at Camp 2. He made it back to Kathmandu on Friday, but we don’t know whether he walked to Base Camp or was airlifted.
Furthermore, the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee has not shared whether the route across the Khumbu Icefall was closed from Friday, as originally planned. Local media stated the season was “officially over,” but other sources said that the lower part of the route was still open.
Using helicopters between Camp 2 and Base Camp to airlift climbers on descent from the summit is one of the most controversial aspects of Everest expeditions. Though authorities permit emergency evacuations, who decides what constitutes an “emergency”?
American Tyler Andrews took a helicopter from Camp 2 after a failed speed record attempt on Everest, when he reported problems with his vision. “I didn’t publicly share this because I know there’s a lot of taboo and armchair critics about flights…and what constitutes a rescue,” Andrews said.
Ironically, Everest Today reports that those really in need of assistance often avoid mentioning that they were helped down in their social media posts:
