A Mullingar family endured a very worrying time this week when a member of the family was caught up in the Nepalese earthquake, which has so far claimed 5,000 lives.
John McAnaney, from Dalton Park, was located close to the Mount Everest base camp where hundreds of people have died as a result of avalanches caused by the earthquake. He told Topic this week he feels extremely lucky to have survived the terrifying quake which he experienced first hand.
John, a keen trekker and walker who has visited some of the world’s most incredible natural sites, was in the middle of a two week holiday in Nepal, was about to set off for base camp, where he hoped to celebrate his birthday on Monday, when the quake struck.
“I was in Lobouche relaxing when the entire building started shaking. We were heading upwards to base camp but decided to head back down the mountain as there was nothing we could do there,” he said.
He told Topic he witnessed plenty of devastation en route back to Lukla, and is fearful of what awaits in Kathmandu, the ancient city which has been devastated by the huge quake.
Lobouche is the last overnight stop before Everest Base Camp, which is just over 8km away, and is situated at 16,210 feet. John and the group he was travelling with walked down for miles, offering what help they could along the way to Lukla. He spoke to us from the Tenzing-Hillary Airport, where he and a group of other tourists were hoping to fly to Kathmandu on Tuesday. Flights are weather dependent and at present the bad weather plus chaos at Kathmandu airport is compounding things so, for now, he is stranded in Lukla.
However, John says there are worse places to be stranded at and he said spirits are good despite the tragedy of the quake. He said the sense of camaraderie and some of the stories surrounding the quake are incredible.
The Tenzing-Hillary Airport has been closed for a number of days. Rated as one of the world’s most dangerous, the airport is popular as it is where most people start their climb to Mount Everest Base Camp.
He hopes to be able to fly out of Kathmandu as scheduled this Friday as he begins his homeward journey to Mullingar.
Scores of family and friends have left him wishes on his Facebook page, and John has been keeping his family updated.
John, the son of Pauline and the late Tony McAnaney, and brother to Anna Kiernan and Sandra Ledwith, is very well known in Mullingar and is a long-time employee of Woodie’s at Lakepoint.
Meanwhile, Brian’s Treasure Chest in Mullingar has become the local donations centre for victims of the earthquake. All proceeds raised in the shop this week will go towards the relief fund.
