Skip to content
TRENDING:
Donald Trump
Advertisement

In this May 18, 2013 photo released by mountain guide Adrian Ballinger of Alpenglow Expeditions, climbers navigate the knife-edge ridge just below the Hillary Step on their way to the summit of Mount Everest, in the Khumbu region of the Nepal Himalayas. Guy Cotter was so concerned about the safety of Sherpa guides and porters through Mount Everest’s notorious Khumbu Icefall that he and another commercial guide operator hatched a plan: Before this year’s climbing season began, they would use helicopters to transport four tons of equipment above the icefall. Nepal-based Simrik Air backed the plan and hired New Zealand pilot Jason Laing, an expert in hauling loads using long cables. But in January, the answer came back from Nepalese authorities: permit denied. Three months later, Laing put his expertise to use. But not hauling gear. On April 18 came Everest’s worst disaster, in which 16 Sherpas were killed in an avalanche at the icefall. Laing made flight after flight that day, using his long cables to rescue four injured Sherpas and haul out 13 bodies. (AP Photo/Alpenglow Expeditions, Adrian Ballinger) MANDATORY CREDIT, EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Photo by: Adrian Ballinger
In this May 18, 2013 photo released by mountain guide Adrian Ballinger of Alpenglow Expeditions, climbers navigate the knife-edge ridge just below the Hillary Step on their way to the summit of Mount Everest, in the Khumbu region of the Nepal Himalayas. Guy Cotter was so concerned about the safety of Sherpa guides and porters through Mount Everest’s notorious Khumbu Icefall that he and another commercial guide operator hatched a plan: Before this year’s climbing season began, they would use helicopters to transport four tons of equipment above the icefall. Nepal-based Simrik Air backed the plan and hired New Zealand pilot Jason Laing, an expert in hauling loads using long cables. But in January, the answer came back from Nepalese authorities: permit denied. Three months later, Laing put his expertise to use. But not hauling gear. On April 18 came Everest’s worst disaster, in which 16 Sherpas were killed in an avalanche at the icefall. Laing made flight after flight that day, using his long cables to rescue four injured Sherpas and haul out 13 bodies. (AP Photo/Alpenglow Expeditions, Adrian Ballinger) MANDATORY CREDIT, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Featured Photo Galleries

01-Army parade.png

Military parade celebrates Army’s 250th

Cheers and chants rang out Saturday from a crowd of thousands as soldiers manned modern and historic tanks and aircraft for the Army’s 250th anniversary celebration in the District.

20250330 Sabatini-Caps-Sabres 001.jpg

Ovi scores goal 890, Caps lose to Sabres 8-5

Alexander Ovechkin scored goal number 890, but the Washington Capitals fell short, losing to the visiting Buffalo Sabres Sunday afternoon 8-5 at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C., March 30, 2025 (Photos for the Washington Times.)