Dr. Eric Meyer speaks publicly about the K2 avalanche rescue for the first time since returning from the mountain.

MISSOULA, MONTANA – November 13, 2008 – Talus Outdoor Technologies, LLC team member who survived the historic August 2008 disaster on K2 is speaking publicly about the tragedy for the first time since returning home.  Talus athlete and anesthesiologist Dr. Eric Meyer was part of a nine-person team that planned to summit K2 and test the effects of altitude and cold on the human respiratory system.  He is currently touring the country and sharing his incredible story of rescue on K2.

Everyone in the Talus-sponsored expedition made it back safely, but 11 other climbers lost their lives.  The Bottleneck Couloir was the site of the series of accidents, and at over 8,000 meters, is in an area climbers refer to as the "Death Zone."  At that altitude, the body cannot recover due to freezing temperatures and lack of oxygen.  Dr. Meyer treated many of the survivors brought back to base camp.  Most of them had severe frostbite and were suffering from dehydration and exhaustion.  

One member of the Talus-sponsored team reached the summit.  While Dr. Meyer had to abandon his quest for the top, he'd consider tackling the mountain again, using the lessons he learned from this expedition.

“I was challenged both as a mountaineer and as a physician caring for members of my team as well as other teams on the mountain,"  says Meyer.  “My team and I gave it all we had and tried to make the best decisions possible. When things turned very dangerous, we did the best we could to help those in need.”

Other members of the Talus-sponsored group also helped with rescue efforts.  Rescue teams used the Talus ColdAvenger™ face mask to deal with the extreme weather conditions on the mountain.  According to Dr. Meyer, temperatures reached -30 degrees Celsius at 8,000 meters with winds of 10-20 knots, making the importance of covering the face and warming/humidifying inhaled and exhaled air critical.  The ColdAvenger face mask raises the temperature of air breathed in through the mask by 40-60 degrees Fahrenheit while providing the humidity needed for proper respiratory function.  Dr. Meyer was able to use feedback and data from the rescue crews to further his research on the effects of altitude and cold weather on the respiratory system.  

“For its initial testing at high altitude, the ColdAvenger performed very well.  The mask is comfortable, simple, and durable -- features that are vital for high altitude climbing,” says Dr. Eric Meyer. “The lack of resistance to breathing during heavy respiration and strenuous efforts at these altitudes is unique to the ColdAvenger.”

K2 is located in the Himalayan mountain range on the border of Pakistan and China, with an elevation of 28,251 feet (8,611 meters). Although K2 is about 750 feet lower than the world’s tallest peak, Mount Everest, K2 is widely considered a much more difficult and technical climb.  About 280 people have climbed K2 since the summit was first reached in 1954, 15 of whom were Americans.  Dozens of climbers have died trying to reach the summit.  

Founded and headquartered in Missoula, Montana, Talus Outdoor Technologies™ is a leading innovator in technologically-advanced outdoor gear.  Talus is dedicated to helping outdoor enthusiasts Stay Out Longer.™  In 2007, Talus introduced the ColdAvenger,™ an advanced, high-quality cold weather protection mask developed by a physician and a skier.  The ColdAvenger™ is the result of more than two years of research and development testing in Northern Rocky Mountain winters to achieve four functional goals: thermal comfort, ventilation adequacy, moisture control and ease of breathing during exercise.  Talus is proud to provide an elite product while being socially and environmentally conscious.