Contents [Ski Everest Home] Front page for the Skiing Everest Cybercast [UPDATES] Climbers call from Everest on a sat-phone [The North Side] Climbing guide Eric Simonson describes the Northeast Ridge Route [Meet the Team] The 1997 Everest Ski Expedition members [EVEREST '97] Rich multimedia cybercast from Everest [Sponsors] Companies that supported this effort The Everest Bookstore Click on a book for details and ordering info from The Mountain Zone Bookstore. "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer An epic, first-hand account of the 1996 tragedy. "Everest" by Walt Unsworth Thorough compilation of historic climbs, triumph and tragedy. "Everest Map" by Brad Washburn National Geographic centennial map, Washburn's Everest map and more. "Everest: The West Ridge" by Tom Hornbein The pioneering ascent by Unsoeld and Hornbein. [The Mountain Zone] More stories from The Mountain Zone			Updates From Everest Click here to get the FREE Real Audio Player to hear sat-phone calls. Calonica Detached Retina Likely Saturday, October 4, 1997 (Everest North Face base camp, Tibet) [Click to hear the sat-phone call.] Transcript: Hello there, this is Craig Calonica. It's almost 9:00 pm, Saturday the 4th, Everest base camp. I have more news on the condition of my eye. I just spoke with Dr. David Schlem and Martin in Kathmandu. They've been in discussion with several eye specialists in Kathmandu and it appears from what they have been told, I probably have torn the retina off of my eye, and it's bleeding inside internally — which means basically I have to get out of here and get over there and possibly have it reattached. If I don't, I am going to suffer permanent damage. The winds and the weather here are still extremely terrible. There will be no one on the mountain in the next two days. It is closed down. Unfortunately, I was not planning on leaving, but now, well, I'm out of here. Anyway, I will keep you updated as things progress. Hopefully I won't suffer permanent damage in this right eye. They have told me it appears that from what they can tell it was due to coughing... it's not from altitude or anything like that. They think this detachment probably occurred from coughing, if that's what it is. Anyway, what a way to finish this nice little journey. I will be in touch. Hope everyone at home is doing fine. Bye-bye. — Craig Calonica, Expedition Leader PREVIOUS UPDATE | UPDATES HOME | NEXT UPDATE

[Home] [Updates] [The Route] [The Team]