An experienced climber trapped on Canada’s highest mountain after a series of earthquakes and avalanches is surviving off extra rations she packed and her own expertise.
Natalia Martinez from Argentina embarked on the solo climb of Mount Logan nine days ago. On Monday, when she reached 4,000 metres, earthquakes in the region triggered several avalanches and forced her to retreat down the mountain to safer terrain.
Stormy weather has made the excursion even tougher, and rescue crews will likely need to wait until Friday before they can reach Martinez.
In spite of the harrowing circumstances, Martinez is in good spirits. Her partner has been in touch with her via text messages since the earthquakes.
“And I received one just a couple minutes ago, the last one saying she is doing great,” Camilo Rada, a mountaineer and PhD student at the University of British Columbia, told CTV News Channel on Wednesday.
The trek was expected to take Martinez two weeks, but she packed an extra week’s worth of fuel and food in case of emergency. As the storm let up, she’s been able to prepare warm drinks, Rada said.
“She’s really brave and strong, but she was very scared by the earthquake up there. I can’t imagine how that might feel,” Rada said. “But she’s in control of the situation.”
Martinez is unharmed and has established a new camp as she awaits rescue. She is familiar with the mountain and had been in the area on scientific expeditions prior to her climb.
Still, Rada says he can’t help but be concerned about the possibility of an aftershock.
“Things like earthquakes are very unpredictable and another one could happen at any time,” he said. “So I am still worried for that kind of unexpected thing that could happen. But very confident of her skill to stay safe.”
Mount Logan is the second tallest mountain in North America, second to Denali in Alaska. Some climb the mountain in groups, but it’s not uncommon for mountaineers to embark on solo treks.
Parks Canada will be coordinating the rescue, according to Sian Williams, who works for the air touring company that dropped Martinez off.
With files from CTV Vancouver
