Durban - The three KwaZulu-Natal climbers who survived an avalanche caused by the powerful Nepal earthquake last week are determined to continue with their trip.
uMdloti resident Sean Wisedale, 49, Kloof climber Rob Bentley, and Nico Oosthuizen from Newcastle are at the Namche Bazaar village at the moment, along with two other Joburg climbers, continuing with their trek.
The climbers said they spent the three days after the avalanche assisting others, evacuating the wounded and assessing their own situation.
Kath Wisedale, Sean’s wife, spoke to him yesterday.
“The team said that they were fatigued after yesterday’s long trek to Namche but they are all doing fine,” she said .
The trekkers have been documenting their experiences on a blog set up by Wisedale (http://seanwisedale.blogspot.com/).
Wisedale said on the blog yesterday that Nepalese officials were heading off to assess the routes, and to re-open them for those who wanted to continue their expedition.
“Of course there’s no guarantee that may happen. But if it is open, then the first obstacles to continue climbing may be overcome,” said Wisedale.
He said there were other routes the team were considering. “Only time will tell. We have a great team of Sherpas (an ethnic group of people from the mountains of Nepal) prepared to help us continue climbing. Our camp, fuel and supplies are intact.”
He said they still had a month on their hands to continue the expedition.
Sunday Tribune