Bay Area Climber Stays Behind To Help After Surviving Nepal Earthquake, Mt. Everest Avalanches
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- A Bay Area climber who survived avalanches followed by a massive earthquake in Nepal is refusing to come home, determined to help injured climbers get back to safety.
Jon Reiter of Kenwood said the ground shook for a long time during the 7.8 magnitude earthquake, only to be followed by avalanches thundering down Mount Everest.
"They came down. They were large, they were massive avalanches," Reiter told KPIX 5.
Reiter survived the quake and avalanches, but other climbers at base camp did not.
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"There was a large cloud of rock and ice that took out a section of the base camp. We all ducked to cover until the cloud passed and then started dealing with the aftermath," Reiter said.
Reiter is staying behind to help aid those hurt in the quake.
"They're doing a fantastic job getting the critical guys down, so as long as our ceiling stays high and we get the choppers in, we'll get the critical guys down the hill."
Another climber from Sonoma County, Scott Holder hopes to fly out of Lukla on Monday but isn't sure he'll be able to since the local airport remains closed.
CAUGHT ON TAPE:
Youtube video (warning: expletives, NSFW) captures an avalanche hitting base camp
HELP: Here are some of the organizations that are already in the region and helping.
Click on the links to find out how you can help: