A Napier man has received confirmation of his wife's safe arrival at Everest Base Camp just hours after an avalanche claimed 12 lives on the mountain.
Napier Tramping Club president Julia Mackie, with club members Alison Greer and Les O'Shea, reached Everest Base Camp on Saturday, "only a few hours" after an avalanche in the Khumbu Icefall, said husband Brian Mackie.
Mr Mackie was receiving brief updates from his wife at his Napier home via email, Skype and FaceTime during his wife's 20-day trek in the Himalayas. He received a photo via email from his wife of the trio posing triumphantly at Base Camp on Saturday.
There were lodges along the route to Base Camp that provided "some creature comforts," including Internet facilities, Mr Mackie said.
At least 12 Nepalese advance party guides were killed and four others were missing after the avalanche struck about 6.45am local time (12.45pm NZT) on Friday in an area known as "popcorn field", just above Everest base camp at 5800m. The incident was the deadliest accident on the world's highest mountain. Despite the tragedy, Mr Mackie had "never been concerned" for his wife's safety.