Utah climber on Everest survives earthquake in Nepal


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SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah climber's dreams of reaching the summit of Mount Everest were dashed Saturday when the powerful earthquake struck Nepal.

"They're all very disappointed," said Judy Williams. Her husband, Bart Williams of South Ogden, was at Camp 1, above the Mount Everest base camp, when the earthquake shook the world's tallest peak and the surrounding region.

Williams is OK, and so are the other members of his climbing group. But the climbing season has been canceled and all climbers are making their way off the mountain. His family hopes he can make it home safely.

"They're still having aftershocks. It's not safe," said Judy Williams. "They're packing up base camp. Everybody's moving out."

Three years ago, the couple trekked up to the Mount Everest base camp together with two friends who were headed for the summit. Judy said that's when her husband first started thinking seriously about making the ascent himself.

"When he decides to do something, there's no distraction whatsoever," she said. "He's so focused."

Last month, the couple made that same trek back to the Everest base camp. Judy left a week ago and came home. Her husband started the slow and deliberate climb towards the summit. His group had made it to Camp 1 early Saturday. He was excited about the climb and their progress. But that changed quickly.

"He called me at 1 a.m. Saturday morning," said Judy. He told her "he had just experienced an earthquake, and to not worry. Everything was fine, he was good, and everybody was safe."

She went back to bed after that satellite phone call, grateful for the call, and the fact that her husband was OK. Saturday morning, when she woke up, she was stunned by news of the widespread devastation in Nepal and Katmandu, where she had spent eight days.

"It made me so sad that I had just been there, such destruction," Judy said. "It was overwhelming."


They don't have a lot to begin with, and now everything is in shambles.

–Judy Williams


Having spent time in Katmandu, and with the Nepalese people, she feels devastated for the loss of life and loss of livelihood for thousands of families.

"They don't have a lot to begin with, and now everything is in shambles," she said.

Their daughter, Whitney Bond, said her father was thrilled to have made it through a treacherous ice field, with massive spires of ice the size of buildings, just the day before.

"I just feel bad for him. He was so excited," said Bond. "You kind of can't control what's going on."

But she and her mother worry more about sanitation and illness right now than his physical safety. As he and other climbers descend the mountain, they will discover the even greater chaos left by the quake below.

"He's a strong man," said Bond. "I trust him and I know that he makes good choices."

His family has been with him every step of the way: Bart Williams carries a framed photo of his family in his pack. He had hoped to pull it out for a picture when he reached the summit.

Judy spoke with her husband Monday morning. "He was happy and well and had a positive attitude."

Bart Williams and his climbing group were airlifted back down to base camp. They are packing up and trekking out in a couple of days. His wife said getting out of Katmandu could be another challenging chapter in the expedition.

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Jed Boal

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