California man survives Everest avalanche
SANTA ROSA, Calif. - A California man says he feels lucky that he survived an avalanche that killed at least 13 people on Mount Everest.
Kenwood, Calif., contractor Jon Reiter and his Australian climbing partner were climbing above 20,000 feet on the world's tallest mountain Friday when the avalanche swept down the climbing route.
The 49-year-old Reiter told the Santa Rosa Press Democrat that his Sherpa guide pushed him behind some ice blocks and out of harm's way. He returned to base camp in Nepal and wrote a blog entry to let family and friends know he was OK.
Mount Everest is the last challenge in Reiter's goal of climbing the highest peak on each continent.
He says he will likely wait a few days before continuing the ascent up the 29,035-foot mountain.