On Wednesday, May 5, at approximately 10:15 am EDT, Global
Rescue received a call from Ashley Gateless at base camp in Makalu, Nepal,
alerting Global Rescue's operations team that Chris Warner was suffering
from
increased shortness of breath, chest tightness and lethargy at 5,500
meters.
Its medical teams advised Warner to descend as soon as possible for in-depth
medical assessment and possible treatment for HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary
Edema), though heavy snow and avalanche risk prevented an immediate descent.
A window in the weather appeared at which time Global Rescue launched a
helicopter equipped with a hoist that can evacuate climbers from locations with
no landing zone. Unfortunately, the weather deteriorated and the helicopter was
forced to turn back.
Warner and his team were able to descend to base camp on foot over the next 24
hours, where Global Rescue's aircraft was able to evacuate him via helicopter
to a medical center in Kathmandu. After a
battery of tests, HAPE was ruled out, although Warner was diagnosed with
left-sided bronchial pneumonia. He has since been released and is expecting a
full recovery.
(Courtesy of Martha Williams with Global Rescue LLC)
*Global Rescue provides worldwide emergency evacuation and field
rescue. For more information about Global Rescue and their services,
please visit their
website .
