POULSBO — A team led by a Bainbridge man was evacuated by helicopter to Base Camp on Mount Everest on April 27, two days after a 7.9 earthquake struck Nepal, killing thousands below and triggering an avalanche that killed the team’s medic and several others.
On his website, Garrett Madison of Madison Mountaineering wrote that the team is “incredibly devastated” by the death of the team’s medic, Marisa Eve Girawong, who was killed in the avalanche.
“She supported us throughout the expedition, took good care of us and insured that we were healthy throughout,” Madison wrote. “We are just totally devastated that we lost her.” He wrote that Girawong was killed by “wind blast from the landslide.”
Madison, 36, is a 1997 Bainbridge High School graduate who began guiding professionally in 1999 on Mount Rainier. He is widely recognized as America’s premier Everest climber and guide, having led — according to his website — 37 climbers to the summit of Everest in seven years, more than any other American.
From the small village of Gorak Shep, 16,942 feet, Madison called in this report to MadisonMountaineering.com on April 27:
“Today, the team was able to descend from Camp 2 on Mount Everest down to Camp 1. We had a good break in the weather and then from Camp 1 we were able to be evacuated by helicopter down to Base Camp. We got down to Base Camp and were able to sort through what was left of our camp after the wind blast from the landslide triggered by the earthquake here in Nepal. It was a very sobering couple of hours sorting through the rubble of what was left of our camp. Now we are on our way down the valley. All team members are doing well. Michael and Ron are in Kathmandu at the moment. The rest of the members are here at Gorak Shep in the Khumbu valley and we are working our way down slowly towards Lukla and Kathmandu.”
Camp 2 is at 21,000 feet, Camp 1 is at 20,000 feet, Base Camp is at 17,598.
Alan Arnette, who climbs the world’s most challenging peaks to raise money for Alzheimer’s disease research, is on the Madison Mountaineering expedition. On his blog, he wrote on April 27 that the earthquake released an ice serac — a block or column of glacial ice off Pumori, a 23,494-foot peak above Base Camp.
“The casualty count at [Base Camp] is 22+, many, many injuries — 40+++ as of this post — 7 PM April 27,” Arnette blogged. “Most of the injuries and casualty were from wind blast off Pumori and associated impact with rocks. Everest ER and Doctors with other teams doing amazing work.”
More than 150 helicoptered had been helicoptered from Camp 1 on April 27. “No one ever in real danger at C1 and C2, plenty of food and supplies. A few more teams being evac Tuesday, April 28 including Summit Climb and Italian team, according to Sherpas. 4 minute turn around time to EBC with 2 per helicopter.”
EBC is a reference to Everest Base Camp.
“Many have found personal items in flattened tents. Many teams have left EBC and are in teahouse in Khumbu. Some are back in Kathmandu via helicopter. Almost all teams are preparing to leave EBC and stop south side attempts. Indian Army team of 35 to remain at EBC to assist with humanitarian efforts.”
Madison’s father, Chris Madison, an insurance agent in Poulsbo, said he was saddened by Girawong’s death and was relieved that the rest of the team appeared to be out of the danger zone and making their way toward Kathmandu.
