2 Winnipeggers believed to be on Everest when avalanche hit

Two Winnipeg climbers are believed to have been on Mount Everest when an avalanche, triggered by Nepal's 7.8 magnitude earthquake, hit the mountain.

At last word, the quake has claimed the lives of more than 4,000people, and the avalanche has killed 17 climbersand guides who were on Everest when it fell. Dozens more were hurt on the mountain.

• Mount Everest avalanche survivors flown to hospital, others hit with aftershocks

Winnipeg climber Paul Hyrnkosays two members of his alpine club were on the mountain during the disaster.

He is hoping they were walking the trails at the time of the avalanche, which he says would have kept them somewhat protected, but still in the path of falling rocks and other danger.

According to Hyrnko, Everest's conditions pose a number of challenges to first aid, too.

"There's no roads,there'sno motorized vehicles that are going to get into that area," hesaid.

"Helicopterscan reach that area but they can't get very much higher because of the thin air so that is a limiting factoras well."

Hyrnkois hoping for an update on the climbers on Sunday.