Dan Paterson, a 40-year-old British climber, and his Nepali guide, 23-year-old Pastenji Sherpa, are feared dead following a catastrophic event on Mount Everest. The pair successfully reached the summit of the world’s highest peak early Tuesday morning but encountered severe difficulties during their descent.
Avalanche Incident
According to reports, Paterson and Sherpa went missing shortly after achieving the summit, during a descent marred by a sudden landslide of snow and ice on the mountain. This treacherous condition significantly hampered their return journey, leading to fears about their safety.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Becks Woodhead, Paterson’s partner, has been actively coordinating search and rescue efforts from afar. In a desperate attempt to locate and rescue the climbers, Woodhead initiated a crowdfunding campaign to cover the substantial costs associated with such high-altitude search operations. The campaign aims to fund a helicopter and specialized search teams, estimated to cost around £150,000. As of Saturday evening, the GoFundMe page had raised approximately £118,000.
Community Response
The climbing community and broader public have rallied around the fundraising efforts, showing substantial support in the hopes of a positive outcome. The incident has highlighted the inherent risks of high-altitude climbing, particularly on a mountain as formidable as Everest.
Also learn about Tragedy on Mount Everest: Kenyan Climber Found Dead.
