Everest climber ‘was smart to turn around’

To most people, 330 feet — roughly the length of a football field — may not seem like much of a distance to traverse, but when that length follows the knife-edged southeast ridge of Mt. Everest, it can mean the difference between life and death.

Late Monday night, Costa Mesa climber Bill Burke decided not to tackle those few hundred feet, ending his Everest summit attempt at the South Summit (28,700 feet), just shy of the mountain’s 29,035-foot peak.

“He told me, ‘I thought if I went any farther, I might not be able to make it back,’” said his wife, Sharon, feeling relieved after speaking with him via satellite phone Tuesday morning. “He was smart to turn around.”

The trip from South Summit to the ultimate pinnacle would have included the most exposed section of the climb, with an 8,000-foot drop on one side and a 10,000-foot drop on the other, as well as a 40-foot rock wall known as the Hillary Step.

Because of the exhaustion following a 24-hour climbing spree and limited oxygen tanks, Burke will not make another summit attempt on this trip.

He planned to begin his descent Tuesday afternoon, and told Sharon that he hopes to be home in time for a neighbor’s wedding on June 2.

Although Burke did not yet accomplish his goal of climbing the world’s tallest mountain, his family is more than pleased with his efforts, and is planning a welcome-home party complete with homemade tacos and cherry pie — two of Burke’s favorite foods.

“We’re so proud of all that he has done and happy that he is safe, which is the most important thing,” said his daughter, Lisa Giger. “We are just as proud as we would be if he made it to the top.”

“You know Dad, he’ll make something positive out of this like he always does,” her sister, Lori Gardner added.