Community Corner

Climber Back On Track After Falling Ill At Mount Everest

Joe Ashkar, a Washington University graduate, is continuing in his trek to scale the world's tallest peaks within a calendar year.

We have an update on Joe Ashkar's attempt to climb the world's highest peaks and travel to the North and South Pole all within 365 days.

See our previous story: Washington University Alum Prepares To Climb Mt. Everest

On his blog, Ashkar reported on April 20 "feeling completely congested, body is aching and throat is sore and burning. It’s as if I have a combined Sinus Infection with the Flu and Strep Throat."

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He decided to drop down to lower elevations to aid in his recovery.

Here's part of his post from April 24

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After only 24 hours, I felt the antibiotics working their magic and my nasty congestion half of what it was. My antibiotics course is for the next 7 days...

My condition continued to improve that I’m now almost at 100%. Today (April 24), I have elected to take the Helicopter back to Everest Base Camp. We left early in the morning and by 10:30 AM, I was back in the friendly confines of EBC.

Going from an altitude of 1,400 meters (4,600 ft) up to our location at the top end of Base Camp at an altitude of 5,400 meters (17,800 ft) in less than an hour is not always the smartest thing to do. Although I was still acclimatized, upon touching down and walking around camp, I felt a little lightheaded.

I’m gonna take it easy this afternoon and let my head and body re-adjust to the altitude.

Safe travels and thanks to Joe Ashkar for letting us share photos and updates from his journey!


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