Randolph grad in Nepal during earthquake

A recent Randolph High School graduate’s yearlong volunteering trip around the world was cut short this weekend when he was in caught in the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Nepal on Saturday.

While Josh Lane, 18, of Randolph, was unharmed in the earthquake and its aftershocks, the immediate aftermath was stressful not only for him, but also for family and friends back home who were unable to contact him or confirm if he was safe.

Lane graduated from Randolph High School in June and took a year to travel the world doing volunteer work before starting college, as his parents once did.

A photographer, Lane documented every step of his journey, which has included stops in India and Vietnam, among others. A few weeks ago, he began what was to be the final three months of his journey in Kathmandu, working in various orphanages and traveling away from the capital and into the remote parts of the Himalayas.

Lane’s parents, Kim and Nick, were in Nashville, Tennessee, last Saturday when the earthquake hit. Nick Lane woke up at about 6 a.m. to check email and read the news.

“I could tell by his body language that it wasn’t good,” Kim Lane said. “We read the earthquake was in Kathmandu, and we immediately tried to figure out where Josh would be at that point. We realized it was Morang, right in the epicenter.”

Kim Lang said the next 24 hours were “sickening” as they tried to reach their son.

“We couldn’t get a hold of anyone,” she said. “It was an awful feeling.”

Prior to the earthquake, Josh Lane was in the middle of a 20-day hike and with scattered Wi-Fi, he could only sporadically communicate with his parents during that time. He had reached out to them the day before the earthquake, sending a quick text.

“Strangely enough, it said something like, ‘Hey, I’m alive, now more than ever,’ after seeing the mountains on the hike,” Kim Lane said. “Then Saturday became a surreal day of checking our phones every five seconds hoping to hear from Josh.”

The only person they heard from Saturday was someone who answered a 24-hour 800 number for Himalayan Glacier Trekking, the group Josh Lane was hiking with.

“We got them very early on in the day and the person who answered was in shock, disoriented. They said they were waiting for news on their groups,” Kim Lane said. “That number worked the first time but then they lost power for two days after.”

Sunday morning, Josh Lane’s parents woke up to no updates.

“I was sick to my stomach, but then I saw a number I didn’t recognize on my phone and my heart leapt,” Kim Lane said. “It was Josh sending a text from another phone saying he was safe. The rest all just felt like details after that.”

Josh Lane told his parents he was in Morang, a big valley, and the last one before the mountainous avalanche areas.

“I prayed he would just stay there,” Kim Lane said. “But they hiked on not knowing the risks.”

Soon Josh Lane reached a group of about 100 trekkers all stopped at the same area, and eventually decided to turn around.

“From where he was, Josh said he looked around and could just see avalanche after avalanche,” Kim Lane said. “His guide said they could continue if he wanted, but he decided to go back.”

He hiked three days’ worth of terrain in a single day to get to Chame, where he found Internet access to have a brief video call with his family.

“Josh said when the earthquake happened, it threw him to the ground,” Kim Lane said. “He said it felt like the earth was violently shaking from side to side. It was unlike anything he’d ever experienced.”

From Chame, Josh Lane found a spot on a crowded Jeep and eventually made it to Besisahar.

Josh Lane reached out on social media Tuesday for the first time since the earthquake to let followers know he was doing fine.

“I’m safe and doing well. Luckily I am in a part of Nepal where the earthquake didn’t do much damage other than landslides and avalanche,” read Lane’s first tweet. “I’ll try do what I can in Kathmandu when I arrive but I simply don’t have the training required in this extreme. Whatever anyone can do to help, do so. I’m lucky I’m safe, millions aren’t nearly as fortunate. Do more than just pray.”

Josh Lane said he was trying to get to Kathmandu, where he intended to fly to New Delhi Friday and from there take the first available flight home.

He sent more updates Wednesday morning saying he will take a bus to Kathmandu Thursday. He added the roads appeared good enough to drive on, but not to risk at night.

“Sad to cut this short, but seeing the damage and thinking about water and food shortage and unpredictability of earthquakes, it’s the right move,” Lane said. “Were I better equipped to contribute in a disaster situation I would do what I could to stay, but I’m not, and I feel pretty useless for it. So the takeaway is that once I’m home, I’ll be changing that. As should everyone really.”

Kim Lane said her son would be just one more mouth to feed if he stayed, and the place he planned to volunteer at can no longer host him.

“He’s ready to be home,” she said. “His body is strong, but he’s emotionally exhausted. It’s scary, afraid to even enter buildings because you don’t know if they’re structurally safe.”

Josh Lane thanked followers for thinking of him and his family and said he should be home in the United States in about a week if all goes well.

“My thoughts are of this beautiful land and its even more beautiful people. Nothing short of a catastrophe,” Lane said. “And thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers, it meant a lot to my loved ones in a very scary time.”

Kim Lane said if all goes well her son could return to the United States by next Tuesday.

“Then I’ll be a happy mom,” she said. “His grandparents are visiting so he will get to spend time with them and enjoy being home.”

Josh Lane plans to attend the University of New Mexico to study photography next fall.

The Nepal earthquake and aftershocks have killed at least 5,200 people as of noon Wednesday.

For those looking to help, Kim Lane recommends donating to Himalayan Glacier Trekking, the group her son is hiking with, or Shelter Box, a group that supplies shelter and supplies to natural disaster area.

Kim Lane is also hosting a fundraiser at the Morristown YMCA to raise money for Nepal relief efforts.

“Nia for Nepal,” a dance, martial arts and yoga class, will be held 12:45 p.m. May 16,. All are welcome and donations for Nepal relief will be accepted.

Follow Josh Lane’s journey on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/photographybyjoshlane, or Instagram and Twitter at @PhotobyJL.

Follow his blog at www.photographybyjoshlane.com/blog.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@GannettNJ.com