Many expedition teams departed base camp to try to find their way home soon thereafter. We opted to remain in base camp since we had lots of supplies and resources there. The tremendous and widespread destruction down valley and in Kathmandu led us to believe that we were safer where we were. Finally, we saw a way to get straight from Everest base camp to the Kathmandu airport and then out of the country. We flew in a helicopter from base camp to Lukla on the evening of April 30th, followed by an early morning flight to Kathmandu the next day. We were then able to secure flights from Kathmandu to Bangkok on May 2nd and on to Tokyo and finally Denver the next day. After days of hectic, highly stressful and uncertain travel, we were extraordinarily grateful to be home safe and sound.
As for a potential return to Everest, all I can say is that I cannot imagine returning anytime soon… but never say never. This latest trip was my 3rd attempt in 4 years. In 2012, my tent-mate came down with a bad GI infection on the summit push, and, not surprisingly, I fell ill 24 hours later and my summit attempt ended prematurely. In 2014, the tragic serac collapse off the West Shoulder of Everest into the Khumbu Icefall tragically killed 16 and ended the Everest climbing season on April 18th. My team climbed Cho Oyu, the 6th highest peak in the world at 26,906′ as this occurred, but our plans to climb Everest and Lhotse afterwards were prevented by that disastrous event. And most recently, we had the unforgettable 2015 trip… so, perhaps summiting Everest is not in the cards for me, although I take away lessons and great memories from each of these expeditions and have zero regrets… only feelings of loss and sadness for the fallen and my Sherpa
friends who have been so adversely impacted by these tragedies, while also feeling blessed that I have survived these tragic events and have been fortunate to return home safely to my friends and loved ones. To ask for anything more, after all of these misfortunes, would be foolish, selfish and ungrateful. Namaste.