Everest 2008: ‘Free Tibet’ Flies Over Everest, More Summits…

News from the world’s highest peak is starting to slow down a bit as the season draws to an end. I have already received my last weather report from EverestWeather for the season and most teams are currently heading down to base camp, or have already moved out. There has been some action of note though as a few teams were actually waiting on the crowds to die down a bit before pursuing their own summit pushes. On to the update..

‘Free Tibet’ Flies Over Everest

Here is an interesting bit of information from ExplorersWeb. With nearly 300 climbers summiting this year from Everest’s south, not one had chosen to make a political statement against China–even after restrictions were officially lifted–until now.

A member of the Peak Freaks expedition, Frenchman Dominique Gilbert, has released a photo of himself from the top of Everest holding a “Free Tibet” T-Shirt for his summit photo. If you will remember back about a month ago, an American climber, by the name of William Brant Holland, was swiftly escorted off the mountain after he was found with a “Free Tibet’ banner in his belongings. At the time of Holland’s dismissal, Nepal had strict restrictions in place to combat any attempt at protesting China’s Olympic Torch Relay, which was heading to the top of Mt. Everest.

With Nepal’s restrictions being lifted the same day that China made a successful summit with the Olympic torch, climbers were free to do as they pleased. Surprisingly, no one decided to make a statement other than this Frenchman, who on May 21st captured the summit and unfurled his message, “Games Over–Free Tibet.”

Rumors of Deaths on Everest

Over the past week, I have ran across a few newspaper articles and dispatches that proclaimed that up to Five climbers had died on Mt. Everest this season. These reports were being circulated after an eventful night, on May 22. With the crowds on the South side of Everest plaguing many teams, those stuck up in the higher altitudes simply had no place to go and couldn’t get anywhere fast. This lead to a some sticky situations involving quite a few high-risk rescue attempts over the course of a few hours. Luckily, most of these individuals were able to be rescued and brought to lower elevations. There was one casualty, Uwe Gianni Goltz, an experienced Swiss climber who was attempting Mt. Everest without supplemental oxygen. This still stands as the only death on Everest this season.

More Summits on Mt. Everest

Dave Hahn captured his 10th summit, which now puts him in the lead for western climbers on Mt. Everest. Dave’s feat came at 7:26 am today, when he called his IMG (International Mountain Guides) logistic team from the summit of Mt. Everest with the news. Dave summited with the rest of the IMG team and reported 5 mph winds from the summit. Others summiting with Dave Hahn today included Dave and Nicky Messner, Samduk Dorje, and Phinjo Dorje.

Speaking of summits, The Mallory Family, who does not know if they are related to the late George Mallory who died on Mt. Everest in 1923, summited three members on May 25th. EverestNews is reporting this latest update from the Mallory family:

I have some good news. This morning at 8:00 a.m. local time, Dan, Alan, and Adam Mallory summited Everest. I just spoke with them on the radio. They are doing fine and they will soon start their descent. Unfortunately Laura Mallory left camp 4 last night, but didn’t feel too good so she turned around. She wants to try again this evening without a sherpa. Also, Linda turned around last night and she’s back safely in camp 4.

Today Michael left for camp 3 and he’s going for his summit attempt too.

I am not sure if this is a record for one family in one season. I am sure it has to come close. Does anyone else know more on this info? Let’s hope Michael, who is said to be shooting for the summit today, will be successful and safe, as well.

Dawa Stephen Sherpa

Dawa Stephen Sherpa, who is leading the Eco-Everest Expedition, has claimed a double summit this year. His first came about a week and a half ago when Dawa summited Lhotse, Everest’s close neighbor. Then it was off to Everest. At 6:55 am, Nepal Time, Dawa made it to the summit of Mt. Everest on May 26th. Great job and a true showing of endurance. Two 8,000 meter peaks in as many weeks is quite a challenge, but as we know, the Sherpa people are known for their accomplishments in the rugged Himalayas.

Still A Few More Summit Pushes Taking Place

With the end looming on Everest for another season, most climbers have already topped out and are headed back to Kathmandu and the return trip home. Towards the end of May and the first week or two of June, most concerns in the area will fall towards the encroaching monsoon season of the area. Last year, Conrad Anker led a late season push for the summit going in to the first week of June. This season there are still a couple of expeditions currently trying to reach the top.

Those climbers, who include Brazilians Rodrigo Ranieri and Eduardo Keppke are currently sitting at Camp 4 and should be making their final assault towards the summit at any time. Let’s wish them the best of luck.

The End

Even though the end of the season is lurking around the corner, as The Adventure Blog notes, many of the stories and complications, as well as the “true” story of what occurred this season on Mt. Everest will not be known till the climbers are all back on home grounds. We look forward to hearing from the Peak Freaks team, who have alluded to some bigger issues this season, as well as my good friend Alan Arnette’s in-depth perspectives.

I will continue to offer up the latest updates as they occur, also, within the next week I will probably be doing my season ending summary covering all aspects of this season. Stay tuned, it’s not quite over yet-

Sources: EverestNews, ExplorersWeb, The Adventure Blog,

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