Two Iowans With Wittmack Require Rescue
Des Moines lawyer turned world explorer Charlie Wittmack made it to the summit of Mount Everest about a week and a half ago.
The climb wraps up his World Triathlon that started with a swim across the English Channel, a bike ride and run to Nepal and the hike up the world's highest mountain.
Now he begins his next adventure— raising money and awareness for a group called Save the Children Nepal.
Wittmack met up with three other Iowa climbers who were also taking on Everest at the same time.
The hike to the summit took a dangerous turn for two: Joe Brus and Brian Block, both from Central Iowa.
According to the website Asian Trekking, the group made it to the summit Friday. But on the way down, Block had signs of a mountain sickness and had to be rescued by a helicopter.
Iowan Matt Boelman stopped just short of the summit after suffering from cerebral edema, a severe case of altitude sickness.
He hallucinated, including seeing a polar bear as he blacked out. His wife told ABC5 over the phone that he was able to make it back to camp and is okay. He did not have to be hospitalized.
Boelman plans to be back in Iowa by this time next week.
