Boulder Photographer Won't Complete Everest Climb

DENVER (AP) - A Colorado photographer who had to be airlifted off Mount Everest won't return to a National Geographic expedition up the mountain.

National Geographic announced Wednesday that Cory Richards will return home to Boulder, but it's not clear when. His climbing partner, expedition leader Conrad Anker, hasn't decided whether he'll continue the climb.

Richards was evacuated Saturday after suffering respiratory problems and chest pains.

He was taken to a hospital in Kathmandu and is now doing well, though doctors haven't been able to figure out what went wrong.

The rest of the team plans to continue the climb to the peak, which is the world's highest at more than 29,000 feet.

The National Geographic Society and North Face expedition commemorates the 50th anniversary of the first U.S. ascent of Everest.

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