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Tomas Olsson's funeral will be held on June 16th at 1.00 pm, at the St Sigfrid's Cemetery in Borås, Sweden.
It is a public funeral, so everybody is welcome. Afterwards there will be time to talk about and remember Tomas. To
participate in the gathering, contact www.lenbergs.se
I am very sad to report that Tomas Olsson has been found dead. His father reported the news. The world has lost a fantastic person and one of the greatest ski mountaineers. My thoughts are with all the ones close to him.
Tomas’ body has been flown to Kathmandu by a helicopter from Nepal. The fact that he was found (at 6700 m right below the Great Couloir where he fell) and that his body is on the way home is a positive thing among all the sadness about his loss. A helicopter evacuation from the North side of Everest has never been accomplished before. His family, close friends, teammates, Nepalese trekking agency and the Swedish embassy have all played an incredible positive role in making this happen, giving Tomas the honor he deserves.
Two funds have been started to support the search for Tomas. The funds are endorsed by Tomas' family. Please consider contributing.
Today a search for Tomas has started. Fredrik Schenholm, Olof Sundström and Martin Letzer are heading towards the Central Rongbuk Glacier. They will use the British Army camp as their base. Tormod Granheim is waiting in Everest basecamp for a helicopter, that will probably arrive tomorrow (Sunday). He will join the helicopter crew to help them navigate to the location where Tomas' fall may have stopped.
Fredrik, Tormod, Martin and OIof
Fredrik Schenholm, the team's photographer, reports from Everest. He was at the North Col when Tomas and Tormod were on the mountain:
There are efforts being done to get a helicopter flight to the North Face area either from China or Kathmandu. This is the most effective way to quickly search the area and should ideally be supported by a ground party of climbers and Sherpas. I have been in touch with Swedish authorities in Stockholm and China and they are trying to do what they can.
Here follows a message by Viviane Seigneur, Tomas' girlfriend:
I am asking to people on the North side of Everest to consider helping to find Tomas. I'm an alpinist and I know the attraction of the summit, but isn't trying to save someone more noble that to reach the summit? For the moment, I know that a lot of people are high on the mountain, but even just a few people helping would be very valuable. From the North col, people can help by following the "Messner road" and search the area with binoculars, because there is a chance that Tomas' fall was stopped there. If you need more information, or have more information, please contact me via the messages on this blog, or email to team@everytrail.net Thank you, Viviane Seigneur
Tomas Olsson is missing on the North Face of Everest. Hel fell at approximately 8500 meter when a rope that they used for a rappel broke loose. Tormod Granheim was with him and climbed after him, but was not able to find him.
Tormod and Fredrik Schenholm are now heading towards the foot of the North Face to look for Tomas.
I am very sorry to have to report this sad news, and I am extremely sad that the information I received yesterday turned out to be incorrect. Let's hope for the best. I am now going to make phone calls to Everest Army basecamp, that is located near the foot of the North Face, to see if they can be of any help.
