Athlete And Host Vince Velasco Stops Mt. Everest Climb Due To Acute Mountain Sickness

Filipino TV host and athlete Vince Velasco cut short a once-in-a-lifetime Mt. Everest climb after he experienced acute mountain sickness. He had to be airlifted off the mountain on May 21. He then spent the next three days in a hospital in Nepal.

According to a GMA News report, Velasco shared his ordeal via an Instagram post. He also calls it his “closest call” so far.

Vince Velasco: Not About The Destination But The Journey

In his Instagram post made 4 days after the incident, Velasco said that he was airlifted off the mountain. They were already at an altitude of 4,000 meters and only a few days away from the basecamp. According to him, his guide was the one who made the decision. He added that if it up to him, he would have “pushed harder.”

After giving it much thought, he has realized that it was God’s way of reminding him that reaching Mt. Everest will come later for him. He also acknowledges that despite it ending abruptly, this was one of his most memorable trips.

He left several of his teammates to continue the trek. Among them were Nella Lomotan, Cara Durano and Benj Ramos. The rest of the team made it to the Everest Base Camp on May 23, based on Lomotan’s Instagram post.

‘I Will Have My Day On The Mountain’

Velasco also expressed his thanks to the staff of the hospital as well as the townspeople of Pangboche for their help. He also vows to have his day on the mountain, as he will continue his Nepal expedition.

In the meantime, Velasco will keep himself with his TV commitments. These include hosting Solar Scoop on Solar TV with dancer-actress Kelley Day, and being a boxing instructor at boxing studio Flyweight. This former Kapuso actor also loves to share his travels and adventures on Instagram.

On May 13 we set out on our most exciting and challenging adventure yet. 22 days of travel, 15 days of trekking, all for Everest Basecamp and Gokyo lakes. A once in a lifetime trip. Unfortunately on May 21st my trip in the mountains came to a crushing halt. That morning at 4000meters I had to be airlifted out and taken to the ICU in Ciwec hospital Nepal. Only a few days til we reached basecamp. I'll spare you the details but it was the closest call I've had. (I can only imagine what others go through.) Four days later, I'm out of the hospital healthy and processing the experience. It was a really tough call one I couldn't make and so I have to thank my guide for making it for me. Had he not I might have pushed harder. A part of me wishes I pushed harder regardless of the risk. But in a way, I think God may be reminding me of a few things. First, just because you can doesn't mean you will. You may have the ability to go for the things you want and try as hard as you can but it doesn't mean you will arrive there or achieve what you want at the time of your choosing. Second, it really isn't about the destination, it is about the journey. Regardless of what happened it is still probably the most beautiful and memorable trip I have been on. And the destination is just the goal. It's the encouraging each other, the bonds created through the long trek, and sharing the amazing scenery with great people that makes a trip so memorable. To my teammates @nellal @benjstagram92 @caradurano I couldn't have asked for a better team of friends to be with. I left my heart with you guys on the mountain and I couldn't be more proud. You guys are amazing! Wouldnt have made it that far without you. To the people in Ciwec and the town of Pangboche I can't express my gratitude enough. Some of the nicest and most genuine people I have ever come across. — These two photos are among the last few I took of the closest I got to the mountain. Depressing to be reminded of when your mind says go but your body won't budge. But thats okay, the mountain had its day with me but I will have my day on the mountain. #NepalExpedition2017 To be continued.

A post shared by Vince Velasco (@vincevelasco23) on May 25, 2017 at 5:36am PDT