New Hampshire Guides, Clients Safe After Nepal Earthquake

A New Hampshire climbing guide, his wife and five clients are safe after Saturday's earthquake in Nepal triggered an avalanche on Mount Everest where the group was hiking.

Rick and Celia Wilcox of International Mountain Equipment in North Conway were at about 17,000 feet in Gorak Shep when the quake hit. Alec Behr, manager at the IME store, says they haven't heard directly from the group, but have been in contact with a second person who said they are safe and headed back to Kathmandu.

The quake killed more than 3,700 people, including at least 18 who died when an avalanche swept through an Everest base camp used extensively by climbers.

Rick Wilcox summited Mount Everest in 1991 and has led 19 expeditions in the Himalayas. 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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