Lake Tahoe hikers in Nepal reportedly safe after 7.8 earthquake

Adrian Ballinger, a veteran high-altitude mountain guide from the Lake Tahoe-area with six Mt. Everest summits on his resume, was on the mountain when the deadly earthquake struck Nepal, killing thousands and causing havoc on the mountain.

Mel Kaida, 30, assistant operations director with Incline Village-based Tusker Trail Adventures, was also in the region and is reported to be safe, according to Andrew Springsteel, operations director for Tusker.

"All in our group are safe and healthy," Springsteel said. "The group is hiking their way out of the Khumbu, and are safely staying the night in Dingboche now. They will hike to Tengboche Monday, as we continue arranging their departure."

According to Ballinger's social media accounts he and his team are safe on the north side of the mountain. But they're concerned about the safety of others on the south side in the wake of the original quake and aftershocks which have caused avalanches.

Ballinger's online biography describes him as founder and head guide of Alpenglow Expeditions. It also states that, among his accomplishments, he and two Sherpa partners were the first people to summit three 8,000-meter peaks in three weeks, Everest twice and Lhotse once.

Alpenglow Expeditions is based in Squaw Valley, Calif.

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