Everest 2008: Massive Push For the Summit of Mt. Everest

The time has finally come to chase the summit of Mt. Everest in 2008.  Many of us thought it would never get here, or that it would get canceled before it began.  China and Nepal’s restrictions concerning the Olympic Torch summit attempt by the Chinese, frustrated many of us, but now the game is on!

Teams are Heading Up

The weather on Mt. Everest, after a brief bout of wind and snow yesterday, has cleared up.  Teams are currently preparing to head for the top, as the ropes to the summit are being set as we speak.  Summit dates are being planned from Wednesday on through the rest of the week.  Close to 500 climbers on 31 separate Expedition permits will be gunning for the top.  Those ropes are going to be CROWDED–

Expedition leaders have already informed their teams of what to expect.  The word this year is “caution”.  With that many people heading up at once, many have expressed concern over the summit push and the crowds.

Base camp has a slightly funny feeling to it, with the tension of what we now have to do tightening over us.  More than the weather, I’m worried that the compressed timeline this year will mean big crowds on the route on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd. I may wait a day or two at C2 depending on how it all looks up there.

This is coming from Andrew Brash from his Expedition Dispatch posted yesterday.

Alan Arnette, who will also be heading up with Mountain Professionals shortly, talked a bit about the recent weather.  High gusts of wind died down, but then, in Camp 3 things really heated up-to the tune of 92 degrees in Alan’s tent at 23,500 feet.  That is warmer than Indiana.  We had a measly 55 degrees today.  One of the reasons behind the high temps in the tents at Camp 3, at 23,500 feet there is nothing to block the sun.  It is not unheard of for climbers to be walking on snow and ice, then come back with severe sunburns.  We all know how that reflection effect can be.  Alan will be making his summit bid for the Cure Alzheimers Fund–there is still time to donate.  Go check out his site for the latest audio dispatches, which Alan promises to bring us from the summit as well!  One more thing about Alan, his wife stopped by the site yesterday and mentioned that she had been having some health problems–she is feeling a bit better and now out of the hospital-let’s wish her luck on her recovery! Get Well Soon, Cathy!

Here is something a bit different.  A Video Update from PeakFreaks courtesy of our favorite Video site, YouTube.  The audio is a little rough in spots, but remember, these guys are sitting in Camp 3. Actually they WERE sitting in Camp 3 while this was made.  According to their latest dispatch, they could be heading for the summit as we speak!  Supposedly they left at 11 pm for the push.  Not sure if that was Nepal time, or local time.  Remember, Nepal is 12-13 hours ahead of the United States.  Watch the video.

PeakFreaks From Camp 3, May 19th, 2008

PeakFreaks reports that a few other teams are with them at Camp 3.  This seems to be the lead group, with other groups spaced out a bit, over what should be a few days of nice weather.  This should help with any concerns on the overcrowding situation for the final summit.  Let’s hope the weather window stays open!  Weather can (and does) change very fast up there–

Teams at Camp 3 with PeakFreaks:

• Project Himalaya
• Mountain Madness
• Altitude Junkies
• Mountain Professionals

I actually have two friends of interest in this lead pack.  I have already mentioned Alan Arnette with the Mountain Professionals team, but also Brad Jackson and Sandy Hoby with Altitude Junkies.  I wish them all a safe journey and a fast descent (not to fast, though:)

I will update more as I get it.