Family: Stranded Palos Hills Hiker Rescued In Nepal
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A suburban hiker who was stranded in a remote area of a national park in Nepal after last weekend's earthquake has been rescued, along with 26 other hikers.
Corey Ascolani, 34, and the other hikers became trapped in a valley in Langtang National Park, after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Nepal on Saturday, killing thousands, and triggering avalanches and landslides that blocked trails with debris.
The Palos Hills resident had been on a 10-day hiking trip, and was planning to climb Mt. Everest in September.
Stranded for days in the park, he and the rest of his group were running out of basic supplies.
His father, Joseph Ascolani, said he has received word indirectly that his son and the other hikers are now safe, after being airlifted to a makeshift Israeli airbase, from which they'll be transferred to the U.S. Embassy in Katmandu.
"Hopefully, when he gets there, he could give us a call. Then I'll know for sure he's safe, and tell him to come home," he said. "I haven't heard from him yet, and maybe he's just … they've been up there cold, damp, rainy. They had heavy rains last night."
Joseph Ascolani said his son was supposed to go on to India, but if he has anything about it, Corey will head straight home.
