Tragedy, health issues dog Everest team

By MORGAN SIMMONS, simmonsm@knews.com
May 14, 2006

The Mount Everest expedition that includes Knoxville native Roger Coffey is struggling to stay on track following the death of two Sherpas and the departure of two climbing members.

Coffey, a graduate of Powell High School, is maintaining an audio blog for the News Sentinel's Go section while serving as Team No Limit's base camp manager. (Hear the blog at http://blogs.knoxnews.com/ knx/everest/

The expedition suffered a tragic blow a week after arrival at base when Lkakpa Tseri and Dawa Temba, two of the expedition's Sherpas, were buried beneath tons of ice. The accident occurred in the Khumbu Icefall, a notoriously dangerous stretch of glacier not far above Base Camp on Everest's Nepali side.

The accident occurred as the expedition was ferrying loads through the Icefall. According to Amy McGhee, communications liaison for Team No Limits, the Sherpas were killed when two house-sized columns of ice - or seracs - collapsed.

"Both men were in the prime of their life and had young children," said McGhee. "Their loss was keenly felt by the team."

The expedition also has lost two of its three climbing members to maladies related to the altitude. Matt Tredway, a teacher and outdoor instructor from Steamboat Springs, Colo., was evacuated in the early stages of the climb after suffering heart problems. Larry Rigsby, a physician from Chattanooga, was forced to withdraw with high blood pressure.

Before leaving the expedition, Rigsby hiked 20 miles to the village of Thame to pay his respects to the families of the Sherpas killed in the icefall.

Team No Limits is now down to two climbers: Doug Tumminello, of Colorado, and Apa Sherpa, the team's climbing Sirdar and the current record holder for summits on Mount Everest.

Coffey continues to manage the expedition from base camp, elevation 17,005 feet. Here's how he described his feelings about the expedition's misfortunes in an audio message for the News Sentinel: "I came here for adventure. I came here for emotions. Now, I'm doing payment for those wishes."

Tumminello and Apa Sherpa are expected to continue their quest for the summit by hooking up with neighboring expeditions.

Tumminello is expected to make his summit attempt no later than Monday.

Team No Limits has established a memorial foundation for the families of the Sherpas killed in the icefall. Contributions may be sent to: The Lhakpa Tseri Sherpa and Dawa Temba Sherpa Memorial Foundation, One Tabor Center, Suite 3000, 1200 17th St., Denver, CO 80202-5855, Attention Lanny Anderson.

Morgan Simmons may be reached at 865-342-6321.