Good news from Kangchenjunga: Sherpas have helped ailing British climber and polar explorer Adrian Hayes back to Camp 2. He suffered altitude sickness near Camp 4 and has been stranded there since yesterday. From Camp 2, he can be airlifted as soon as the weather permits.
On May 10, Hayes summited Kangchenjunga with a group of climbers from various outfitters. Shortly after starting his descent, he got into some trouble.
Satish Gogineni of India, outfitted by Pioneer Adventure, also summited Kangchenjunga that same day, assisted by Chhangwa Sherpa.
Gogineni told ExplorersWeb that Hayes seemed to have problems with oxygen during the ascent and hurt his hand on the way down.
Symptoms of AMS
“Hayes stood at 8,400m on our way up, without his oxygen mask on, and complained that he had run out of oxygen, but his Sherpa was right behind him and had plenty of oxygen,” Gogineni said.
He believed that Hayes was suffering from either HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema) or HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema), and hence his perception might be impaired.
“His Sherpa just put the mask back on Hayes’ face, and they both continued toward the summit,” explained Gogineni.
During their descent, Gogineni went right in front of Hayes and said the British climber was healthy and going okay, when an unexpected accident happened during a rappel. Here is Gogineni’s account:
I took the rope first and rappelled down. [Hayes] came after me, sat down on the ground and complained of pain in his hand. He immediately said his hand was broken. His Sherpa was with him until late, 2-3 am, but eventually came alone (possibly he ran out of oxygen) to our tent around 3-4 am, and slept there with us.
Down to Camp 2
On the following morning (Sunday, May 11), Gogineni and Chhangwa Sherpa continued down to Base Camp, but Hayes’ Sherpa remained there, waiting for additional help that had been sent up.
Once in Base Camp, Gogineni listened to Hayes speaking on the walkie-talkie. Hayes sounded good.
“He said he was doing great, although he probably had minor frostbite,” Gogineni said. “He reassured everyone that he is fine and [there was] nothing to worry about.”
Gogineni mentioned that two helicopters flew in this morning [Tuesday] to rescue Hayes from Camp 2, but couldn’t penetrate the clouds. Then Gogineni left Base Camp, so we will have to await further updates.
A helicopter at Kangchenjunga Base Camp during Hayes’ attempt last year. Photo: Adrian Hayes
About the climbers
Adrian Hayes summited Everest and skied to the North and South Poles in a record one year and 217 days, between 2006 and 2007. In 2014, he summited K2. He has also made a north-to-south traverse of the Greenland Ice Sheet and crossed the Arabian desert on foot and camel, in the footsteps of British explorer Sir William Thesiger. Adrian Hayes is also a coach and speaker.
Gogineni has previously climbed Everest, Lhotse, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri. Earlier this year, he became the first Indian to ski solo to the South Pole from Hercules Inlet.
