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Lynne Leichtfuss
Social climber
valley center, ca
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Aug 14, 2009 - 12:14pm PT
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I have called several friends in the US and Europe. We are praying. One thing I have learned this year.....how a human sees a situation and what the incredible God of this universe is actually doing in lives and hearts....well there is no telling. In Prayer, lynne (God be with these Brothers in Wisdom and Peace)
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philo
Trad climber
boulder, co.
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Aug 14, 2009 - 12:52pm PT
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Here is the latest information I could find. From Climbing online.
http://www.climbing.com/news/hotflashes/oscar_perez-rescue_updates_latok_2/
Oscar Perez Rescue Updates from Latok II
By Fernando J. Perez
Translated by Mara V. Larson
Oscar Perez and Alvaro Novellón, during a previous expedition. Photo courtesy of Efe
At 10:15 am (August 14th, 2009) there has been contact from Álvaro Sebastián in Skardu. The news is very encouraging. Today, as expected, all the equipment and people have moved into base camp. The assistance from the Pakistani army is very good, so much so that the helicopter even stopped on the glacier to pick up the cargo left about four hours from base camp and moved it across. A job well done!
Sebastián also confirms that there has been a flight to the mountain to 6,300 meters. This flight was intended to indicate to Oscar that the effort is on and to give him an injection of morale. The possibility of seeing him is very remote, given the dimensions of the mountain. meanwhile there are now photos to analyze whether something can be distinguished.
Today is the independence day of Pakistan and celebration, thus everything is closed, so Sebastián does not know if its possible to send the photos. If possible, they will make it available to the media.
Although there is no official confirmation, Sebastián says that climbers must already be fixing up the route on Latok II. There will be contact about further developments at 12 pm.
We are also asked to maintain contact with the Spanish authorities because the Pakistanis are going to need to re-use the helicopters for evacuation of rescue teams after the operation. Now we have to arrange for medical assistance for when Oscar arrives in Skardu along with the need to maintain constant contact with the medical rescue team.
It is confirmed that the alpinists are already working on the wall without relief in this race against the clock. We hope the good weather in the area continues to cooperate with us.
Tomorrow (August 15th, 2009) at 12:30 pm we will hold a press conference to update the current information.
On the afternoon of Wednesday August 12th, the base camp changed from the north to the south side. At the last minute, Alvaro Novellón and Fabrizio Zangrilli, who were on the Biaffo glacier without the team overnight, were transferred by helicopter to Skardu to meet with the rest of the team coordinated by Sebastián Alvaro.
The expedition rescue team arrived from Spain Thursday August 13th at 4:00 a.m. in Pakistan. At the airport in Rawalpindi, they were waiting for the secretary of the Embassy of Spain in Pakistan. The flight arranged to move them to Skardu was suspended but they have resolved this embarking on an MI 18 military transport helicopter.
Once in Skardu, they organized a coordination meeting with people who were already in Pakistan. Then a helicopter came out and in two trips, moved equipment and the following persons:
Three climbers: Jordi Corominas, Jonatan Larranaga and Fabrizio Zangrilli
Four high altitude porters who will help to advance the rope team to the col
Seven other porters also to base camp
The helicopter will be used to try and fly over the area where Oscar Perez is located, to assess mountain conditions, and to notify Oscar that a rescue is underway.
The goal is for the porters to reach base camp, while the three climbers start on the route.
The rest of the team will arrive at base camp by helicopter today, Friday morning. In this way the Spanish climbers Daniel Ascaso, Jordi Tosas, Simon Elias, Ramon Portilla, Alvaro Corrochano, Moratinos and two other American climbers, will be able to relieve the team who have gone up to fix the route of ascent and descent.
Sebastián Alvaro communicated to us from Skardu that the feeling is now that the rescue team is now prepared and fully operational.
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Social climber
valley center, ca
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Aug 14, 2009 - 12:57pm PT
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Philo, Thank You !
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tom woods
Gym climber
Bishop, CA
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Aug 14, 2009 - 01:09pm PT
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Keep us posted. It sounds like the work is being done. If Oscar can hold on, this is possible.
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Jan
Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
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Aug 14, 2009 - 01:17pm PT
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The information on other sites is looking much better now too. The same report and a little more info has been posted here as well, along with a photo of where the rescue party is heading.
Latok update: more people moved into BC, great assistance from Pakistani army, climbers headed up the wall
http://www.mounteverest.net/news.php?id=18591
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philo
Trad climber
boulder, co.
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Aug 14, 2009 - 01:27pm PT
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I can only imagine the mental torment of being alone so far away and for so long.
Keepin' the faith. But the sound of collectively held breath is deafening.
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
New York, NY
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Aug 14, 2009 - 02:44pm PT
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What torture for those involved and waiting for news. Hope for quick, safe, progress with the rescue. And a damned fine book written by Oscar recounting the epic in a year or so.
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TYeary
climber
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Aug 14, 2009 - 02:47pm PT
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Hang in there Oscar, hang in there.
A collective thought of positive vibrations everyone!
Tony
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Social climber
valley center, ca
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Aug 14, 2009 - 06:50pm PT
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Just got back to on line capability. Continued Prayers along with Hope planted in the hearts of all involved. We all appreciate any updates anyone can provide. Peace, Lynne
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johnboy
Trad climber
Can't get here from there
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Aug 14, 2009 - 07:41pm PT
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God speed to all.
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Social climber
valley center, ca
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Aug 14, 2009 - 11:49pm PT
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Want to keep this up front in all our hearts and prayers. Some expeditions cruise...flags hoisted and all is well. Some don't work out that way.
Every time we go to work, even go on a vacation, or like Oscar plan a grand adventure ..... anything could happen. So we support each other when it does. Keep the faith and hope people. And remember the brothers going after their own.
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couchmaster
climber
pdx
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Aug 15, 2009 - 12:13am PT
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Going to run out of gas then water soon, 9 days now?....without a tent.....Thinking back to the great Jeff Lowe on this mountain, too bad he wasn't in his prime and over there now coming off the summit with Donini or someone like that. I don't think this is gonna end well...wishing good thoughts for all over there.
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Social climber
valley center, ca
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Aug 15, 2009 - 12:29am PT
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couchmaster, I've tried imagining what Oscar is experiencing and hopefully hanging on thru. The nights, the next dawn, the light, the stars, the heart that knows it's loved by loved ones....to keep yo hanging on. Trying to Survive !
I So pray ! But the mysteries of life and the why's and the people they happen to. I have no clue. I only know that there is God and life and a life path he gives us if we listen. And then there's the great invisible beyond that we are all destined for.
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Social climber
valley center, ca
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Aug 15, 2009 - 01:07am PT
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bump to the top for tonight. I'm going to bed with what I thought a few days ago were alot of problems. Knott! Hang in Oscar. I personally will never forget you ever. Your life challenge has made me re evaluate my life.
Need to go for life with zest, love, dreams and goals and all with calculated risk and hang tough ... the outcomes in life are not a given. But we need to break out and live. Prayers Oscar. Lynne
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TYeary
climber
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Aug 15, 2009 - 01:06pm PT
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lets please take a collective moment to focus our thoughts on a positive outcome for Oscar. We really want him to get down safely. It has been a rather harsh year and some good news would be very nice. So when you read this, just a thought,a moment.....Thanks,
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Fletcher
Trad climber
Shivasana
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Aug 15, 2009 - 02:15pm PT
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Bump for some positive vibes to Oscar.
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ryanb
climber
Seattle, WA
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Aug 15, 2009 - 06:39pm PT
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Man, I hope they pull this thing off.
The organizations the rescuers belong to are posting updates:
http://www.fieldtouring.com/?page_id=710 (english)
http://www.p-guara.com/alta-dificultad/2009-latok(1)01.htm#10 (spanish)
Sounds like they have fixed over 1000 m already, have 1800m to go and just got 2000 m more rope flown in and must be fixing in shifts with medical personnel (my friend dave is an experienced wilderness emt but i think there might be a doctor along too) on stand by at the base... hang in there oscar, the cavalry is on its way.
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mdavid
Big Wall climber
CA, CO, TX
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Aug 15, 2009 - 10:17pm PT
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hang in there guys
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Klimmer
Mountain climber
San Diego
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Aug 15, 2009 - 11:25pm PT
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Sincere prayers for a successful, joyful, and happy outcome.
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Social climber
valley center, ca
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Aug 15, 2009 - 11:31pm PT
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ryanb, Thanks for the info....as always these rescues seem slow. I pray Godspeed. Oscar....your rescue has been pretty much the only thing on many of our hearts and minds over the past days.
Continued prayers for strength, power and peace along with hope. Lynne and Friends.
thanks for the bumps all.
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