Scaling Mount Everest Summit, is every Trekkers, Every
Mountaineers dream.. But it takes lots of preparation, team work, strategy,
equipment and gear; and tons of Will Power to do it.
Everest from the South Side in Nepal
Base Camp - 17,500 feet (5350 meters)
South Col Route up Mt. Everest. Base camp is located at
17,500 feet and it the most popular route to Summit of Highest Mountain Peak in
the World. This is where climbers begin their true trip up the mountain. This
is also where support staff often remain to monitor the expeditions and provide
medical assistance when necessary. Many organizations offer hiking trips which
just go to base camp as the trip is not technically challenging (though you
must be very fit).
From base camp, climbers typically train and acclimate
(permitting the body to adjust to the decreased oxygen in the air) by traveling
and bringing supplies back and forth through the often treacherous Khumbu
Icefall. This training and recuperation continues throughout the climb, with
the final summit push often being the only time to climbers do not go back and
forth between camps to train, bring supplies, and recuperate for the next push.
The Icefall is in constant motion. It contains enormous ice
seracs, often larger than houses, which dangle precariously over the climbers
heads, threatening to fall at any moment without warning, as the climbers cross
endless crevasses and listen to continuous ice creaking below. This often acts
as a testing ground to judge if less experienced climbers will be capable of
continuing. The Icefall is located between 17,500 and 19,500 feet.
Camp I - 5900 meters
After the Icefall, the climbers arrive at Camp I, which is
located at 19,500 feet. Depending on the type of expedition, Camp I will either
be stocked by the climbers as they ascend and descend the Icefall, or by
Sherpas in advance.
The area between Camp I and Camp II is known as the Western
Cwm. As the climbers reach Camp II at 21,000 feet, they may be temporarily out
of sight of their support at Base camp. Nonetheless, modern communication
devises permit the parties to stay in contact.
Camp II - 6500 meters
As the climbers leave Camp II, they travel towards the
Lhotse face (Lhotse is a 27,920 foot mountain bordering Everest). The Lhotse
face is a steep, shiny icy wall. Though not technically extremely difficult,
one misstep or slip could mean a climber's life. Indeed, many climbers have
lost their lives through such mishaps.
Camp III - 23,700 feet (7200 meters)
To reach Camp III, climbers must negotiate the Lhotse Face.
Climbing a sheer wall of ice demands skill, strength and stamina. It is so
steep and treacherous that many Sherpas move directly from Camp II to Camp IV
on the South Col, refusing to stay on the Lhotse Face.
Camp IV - 26,300 feet (8000 meters)
As you’re leaving C4…it’s a little bit of a down slope, with
the uphill side to the left. There are typically snow on the ledges to walk
down on, interspersed with rock, along with some fixed rope. The problem with
the rope is that the anchors are bad, and there’s not much holding the rope and
a fall could be serious. Fortunately it’s not too steep, but there is a ton of
exposure and people are usually tired when walking down from camp. The rock is
a little down sloping to the right as well, and with crampons on, it can be bit
tricky with any kind of wind. There’s a little short slope on reliable snow
which leads to the top of the Geneva Spur, and the wind pressure gradient
across the spur can increase there as you’re getting set up for the rappel. Wearing
an oxygen mask here can create some footing issues during the rappel, because
it’s impossible to see over the mask and down to the feet. For that reason,
some people choose to leave Camp 4 without gas, as it’s easier to keep moving
down the Spur when it’s important to see all the small rock steps and where the
old feet are going. Navigating down through all of the spaghetti of fixed ropes
is a bit of a challenge, especially with mush for brains at that point. One
lands on some lower ledges which aren’t so steep, where fixed ropes through
here are solid. At this point, it’s just a matter of staying upright, and
usually, the wind has died significantly after dropping off the Spur. The route
turns hard to the left onto the snowfield that leads to the top of the Yellow
Bands.
Camp IV, which is at 26,300 on the Lhotse face, is typically
the climbers' first overnight stay in the Death Zone. The Death Zone is above
26,000 feet. Though there is nothing magical about that altitude, it is at this
altitude that most human bodies lose all ability to acclimate. Accordingly, the
body slowly begins to deteriorate and die - thus, the name "Death
Zone." The longer a climber stays at this altitude, the more likely
illness (HACE - high altitude cerebral edema - or HAPE - high altitude
pulmonary edema) or death will occur. Most climbers will use oxygen to climb
and sleep at this altitude and above. Generally, Sherpas refuse to sleep on the
Lhotse face and will travel to either Camp II or Camp IV.
Camp IV is located at 26,300 feet. This is the final major
camp for the summit push. It is at this point that the climbers make their
final preparations. It is also a haven for worn-out climbers on their
exhausting descent from summit attempts (both successful and not). Sherpas or
other climbers will often wait here with supplies and hot tea for returning
climbers.
From Camp IV, climbers will push through the Balcony, at
27,500 feet, to the Hillary Step at 28,800 feet. The Hillary Step, an over 70
foot rock step, is named after Sir. Edmond Hillary, who in 1953, along with
Tenzing Norgay, became the first people to summit Everest. The Hillary Step,
which is climbed with fixed ropes, often becomes a bottleneck as only one
climber can climb at a time. Though the Hillary Step would not be difficult at
sea level for experienced climbers, at Everest's altitude, it is considered the
most technically challenging aspect of the climb.
Hillary Step
Summit - 29,028 feet (8848 meters)
Once the climbers ascend the Hillary Step, they slowly and
laboriously proceed to the summit at 29,028 feet. The summit sits at the top of
the world. Though not the closest place to the sun due to the earth's curve, it
is the highest peak on earth. Due to the decreased air pressure, the summit
contains less than one third the oxygen as at sea level. If dropped off on the
summit directly from sea level (impossible in reality), a person would die
within minutes. Typically, climbers achieving the great summit will take
pictures, gain their composure, briefly enjoy the view, then return to Camp IV
as quickly as possible. The risk of staying at the summit and the exhaustion
from achieving the summit is too great to permit climbers to fully enjoy the
great accomplishment at that moment.
The return trip can be even more dangerous than the climb to
the summit.
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The Great Mount Everest Base Camp Expedition
Dec .
The Great Mount Everest Base Camp Expedition
(By Adventure Aim)
Its not just a trek, its also about discovering good people,
cultures, what spirit of adventure is all about..
Rediscover yourself..
IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE..
(share it with your friends who may be interested in
off-beat eco-adventure).
Short Itinerary
Dec 1 - Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Dec 2 - Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley
Dec 3 - Day 03: Flight to Lukla & Trek Phakding (2 600
m)
Dec 4 - Day 04: Trek Namche Bazaar (3 440 m)
Dec 5 - Day 05: Climb to Everest View Hotel (3860 m)
Dec 6 - Day 06: Trek Tengboche (3 860 m)
Dec 7 - Day 07: Trek Dingboche (4 410 m)
Dec 8 - Day 08: Rest day Dingboche (4 410 m)
Dec 9 - Day 09: Trek Lobuche (4 930 m)
Dec 10 - Day 10: Trek Gorakshep (5 160 m)
Dec 11 - Day 11: Trek Pheriche (4 215 m)
Dec 12 - Day 12: Trek Namche Bazaar (3 440 m)
Dec 13 - Day 13: Trek Lukla (2 850 m)
Dec 14 - Day 14: Fly to Kathmandu
Dec 15 - Day 15: Fly out Kathmandu
Dec 16 – Buffer Day at Kathmandu for additional cost
FOR DETAILS CLICK HERE EBC Expedition
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