Two South African climbers currently on Mount Everest have been stunned by the deaths of 13 guides on the world's highest peak.
A member of the team, Saray Khumalo, said on her Facebook page that she was ''emotional" when she heard the news of Friday's deadly avalanche.
She called Friday "the worst day" of her trip.
At least 13 mountain guides, most of them Sherpas, were killed. Three are still missing in the worst accident on Everest in living memory.
The guides had gone up the mountain to set up ladders and ropes for the next climbing season.
Khumalo, who wants to become the first black woman to summit, is being accompanied by fellow South African Sibusiso Vilane, who summited Everest in 2003 but hopes to do it this time without using extra oxygen.
The pair were on their way back to base camp yesterday.
Climbers from around the world are waiting to hear when and if they will be able to resume their ascents.
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