Video: Avalanche Hits Everest Base Camp
April 26, 2015
Under climate change, avalanches, with or without earthquakes, have become more frequent and more lethal on Mt. Everest.
A new video from Mount Everest base camp shows people fleeing from Saturday’s deadly avalanche that left at least 17 dead and 61 injured.
“The ground is shaking,” one man says as the avalanche approaches.
Nepal’s worst earthquake in 81 years — which has claimed at least 2,200 lives— triggered the avalanche.
The video was shot by German adventurer Jost Kobusch, according to ITV. He filmed the incoming wall of snow before diving into his tent for cover.
Climbing to the roof of the world is becoming less predictable and possibly more dangerous, scientists say, as climate change brings warmer temperatures that may eat through the ice and snow on Mount Everest.
Nepal was left reeling when a sudden ice avalanche slammed down onto a group of Sherpa guides on Friday and killed 16 in the deadliest single disaster on Everest. While it is impossible to link any single event to long-term changes in the global climate, scientists say the future will likely hold more such dangers in high-altitude regions.
Avalanches of snow, rock or ice could increase. Climbing and trekking terrains would become unsteady. Glaciers may be more unpredictable. Storms will become more erratic, and the Himalayas in particular could see more snow as warming oceans send more moisture into the air for the annual Indian monsoon that showers the 2,400-kilometer (1,500-mile) mountain range.
Friday’s disaster occurred at the Khumbu Icefall, long recognised as one of Everest’s most dangerous spots, as the edge of the slow-moving glacier is known to crack, cave and send huge chunks of ice tumbling without warning.
“It’s Mother Nature who calls the shots,” Tim Rippel, an expedition leader, said in a blog post from Everest base camp as many of the 400 Sherpa guides were leaving, demanding better government compensation for the high risks they take in helping climbing companies ferry rich tourists up the peak. “The mountain has been deteriorating rapidly in the past three years due to global warming, and the breakdown in the Khumbu Icefall is dramatic,” he said. “We need to learn more about what is going on up there.”
Climate Denial Crock of the Week 
April 26, 2015 at 10:48 pm
A very worrying time for those with family and friends out there, prayers go out to them .. more from B.B.C
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32474951
April 27, 2015 at 5:27 am
Sadly claimed the life of Climber and Google engineer Dan Fredinburg amongst others:
http://qz.com/391843/a-google-engineer-killed-on-everest-photographed-some-of-the-worlds-highest-peaks-for-street-view/
April 27, 2015 at 8:23 am
Not to be insensitive, but the only folks deserving of any sympathy on Mount Everest are the Sherpas, who have been used and abused by the “westerners” who climb the mountain for years
I have said before that each one of us matters not a whit in the greater scheme of things—-if an asteroid or huge volcanic eruption stomps some whole country and its inhabitants flat, that the rest of the world will go on (after much yada-yada-yada and profit-making by the media). McPherson has it right with Nature Bats Last, and our hubris blinds us.
IMO, there is NO sympathy to be given to those who have flown in from all parts of the world and spent tens of thousands of dollars (and much carbon) just so they could climb a freaking mountain to satisfy their egos. That so many humans expend so many resources climbing above the 15,000 feet that is man’s natural “ceiling” is the real tragedy, not that some of them got what they deserved.
While I’m ranting let’s throw in huge cruise ships and airliners full of “tourists” heading for nowhere whose only real justification for their self-indulgence is that they can afford it. More of the “fruits of capitalism” and the “opportunity” they bring. Too bad the planet is being destroyed in the process.
April 27, 2015 at 11:02 am
Hey, man…. step away from the vehicle. You are getting close to shouting “get offa my lawn” here. Cranky you are.
April 27, 2015 at 11:25 am
OK, you asked for it. ALL YOU PEOPLE GET OFF MY FREAKIN’ LAWN!
(And stop p***ing and s***ing in my water, food, and air while you’re at it!).
YOU (GB) calling ME (DOG) “cranky” is my first good laugh of the day. (Or have I touched a nerve because you are a secret consumption freak who flies all over the world to take river cruises and look at temples and photograph elephants “in the wild”? Or maybe you have a 40+ foot boat on Lake Champlain that you tow water skiers behind?)
April 27, 2015 at 9:05 am
[…] Video: Avalanche Hits Everest Base Camp […]
April 27, 2015 at 11:06 am
BTW, just read a cracking good yarn about Everest and mountain climbing – “The Abominable” by Dan Simmons -terrific writer. Really puts you on those dangerous slopes in the 1930’s.