Gregory Attard arrives home from an adventure last year. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

When tragedy struck on the slopes of Mount Everest in the early hours of yesterday, Gregory Attard was still asleep.

With three other Maltese climbers he is currently attempting his second ascent of the world’s highest mountain.

But the group stationed at the base camp on the mountain’s north side was oblivious of the tragic avalanche that swept the mountain’s west side at 6.30am, killing at least 12 local guides, known as Sherpas.

“This morning [yesterday] we woke up oblivious to the events that had happened a few hours before but the faces of our Sherpas clearly showed that the veil of death had shrouded the mountain for yet another time,” Mr Attard said.

In an email to this newspaper from the relative comfort and safety of the north face, Mr Attard spoke of the shock that descended on the camp when news of the tragedy filtered through.

“There is no question that we are somewhat shocked and shaken, the tragedy is too close for comfort, however for us the climb continues. We will mourn the dead, light up a few butter candles and incense sticks and move on.”

But the same cannot be said of the families and friends of the dead Sherpas, who risk their lives to earn a living from the mountainside adventures of others.

Sherpas are still made of flesh and blood: they fall, they hurt, they die

The pain caused by Everest’s biggest tragedy to date did not go unnoticed.

Each and every one has lost someone, Mr Attard added.

“They were 12 young, hard-working fathers, brothers, sons who through the sweat of their brow were forging a better future for their families and putting their life on the line so that each and every one of us can have a shot at summiting Everest; a shot at a delusion of self-importance.”

Mountaineers have gathered from all over the world at base camps, waiting for the onset of the peak climbing season in May, when conditions on Mount Everest improve.

The Sherpas had set out early from their base camp to prepare ropes along the route for climbers to be able to reach the summit when the avalanche struck in an area known as the “popcorn field” at 5,800m.

Mr Attard said the incident caused by a serac (glacial ice) fall was no ordinary avalanche.

The blast force generated is immense and strong enough to destroy anything or anyone in the vicinity, he explained.

He said that crossing the ice fall where the incident happened was “a twisting and tortuous route” that passed through “spindly ice bridges and suspended ladders”.

“Nothing is solid, every step is treacherous and the most frustrating thing about it is the fact that success, or failure, is not related to skill, strength or experience and completely dependent on chance,” Mr Attard said.

More than 4,000 climbers have scaled the summit since 1953, when it was first conquered by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay.

Hundreds of others have died in the attempt.

“We all climb for different reasons. For some it is fame, for others it’s a search for the ultimate thrill and yet for some it is a way to briefly escape reality. But for the 12 Sherpas involved in this morning’s tragedy it was none of the above,” Mr Attard said.

Renowned for their hardiness, Sherpas have plied their trade on the mountainsides they call home.

But for Mr Attard, the death that struck on Everest yesterday was a stark realisation for the whole world that Sherpas are also human.

“They might not pant like we do and they might carry humongous loads up slopes that scare a mountain goat, but they are still made of flesh and blood: they fall, they hurt, they die.”

The other members of the Maltese party are: Matthew Xerri, Raphael Fenech Adami and Douglas Barbaro Sant.

ksansone@timesofmalta.com