Dispatch 33 – Helicopter Evacuations and Base Camp Party

Babar (our Liaison officer), Little Hussain (the HAP who rescued the Taiwanese climbers), Carlos (Spain), Badia (Mexico), Nick (USA), and Lina (Spain) at the Polish Base Camp Party
Babar (our Liaison officer), Little Hussain (the HAP who rescued the Taiwanese climbers), Carlos (Spain), Badia (Mexico), Nick (USA), and Lina (Spain) at the Polish Base Camp Party

Today, we woke up in far better condition than yesterday, had breakfast in the mess tent, and then hurried outside as we heard the sound of helicopters approaching. They were here to evacuate Ana, the Catalan team doctor who had come down with severe frostbite on her feet on summit day (they also evacuated Oscar). After this, we began the daunting task of exchanging photos from the expedition in the mess tent. Around lunch time, we heard helicopters yet again and found out that the Taiwanese member who had needed the rescue/dexamethasone injections in Camp IV was also being evacuated via a US $30,000 helicopter ride. After lunch, the Polish team threw a base camp party to celebrate all of our summits. We attended, exchanged information with the teams who were leaving, then visited with Badia and Mauricio. After eating dinner, we discussed the plan to descend via Godogoro La. We decided that it was more trouble than it was worth as we would have to fix rope for the dangerous sections and wake up at midnight to reach the pass at dawn. Also weather might be an issue as snow is predicted in the forecast beginning on the 29th. After it was decided that we would descend via the Baltoro, we went to bed.