Everest 2019: Season Over?

One of the last teams known to still be on Everest made a gamble that they could catch the last available window, but as usual this year, the weather had the last word.

Scott Woolums with his single client, John, along with three Sherpas: Migma,, Karma, and Namgyl spent much of April trekking in Nepal to acclimatize hoping they could then go hop over to the Tibet side and catch an early window. But Scott, a seasoned mountain guide and Everest summiteer knew it may take patience. I’m not sure he new it would take another month of waiting but they were willing.

EBC to CBC Courtesy of Scott Woolums

They watched from the relative comforts of Chinese Base Camp while team after team pushed the limits , sometimes fighting, other times waiting out the crowds and high winds that marked Everest 2019. They went to Advanced Base Camp based on a favorable weather forecast but turned back a short time into that effort, finally they made the call to head up early this week. Almost every other team was off the mountain on both sides.

View from Camp 2 on #Everest2019 Tibet side. Courtesy of Scott Woolums

He posted on May 20:

Lots of wind in the forecast! We’re launching today for ABC at 21,000 ft. on a 7 to 10 day rotation up high, hopefully up to the summit on 27, 28 or 29. Discussed fixed lines with the Chinese Sirdar (boss) this morning and he is saying tomorrow lines go into 8500 meters and then 22nd to the summit weather permitting. Again the 24th in the afternoon the wind is back for a couple days. We have been planning the next good day after the 25th, which looks very windy. Will be in good position to go in a few days! Good luck to all teams going for 23rd!

Scott wrote on my Facebook page on May 24 after I reported on some of the deaths and summits from this year that had occurred during crowded, windy summit windows:

Tradgic, but it’s all about timing! We’re here at 25,000 ft on the north ridge of Everest, 36 hrs away from the summit right now, and we’re the only team on this side!

Today, May 30, he posted on his website:

No Summit, but we’re back down and safe! John and I made a decision to turn around just below Camp 3 on the north side. High winds on the summit ridge above, combined with a short weather window made our choice clear. Safety before glory! We’re in bc now getting ready for the drive to Kathmandu tomorrow, which is probably more dangerous than climbing Everest! A quick note on this season. We made a choice to go after the crowds, and enjoyed a pure mountain experience with only our extended group.

Great effort and patience by a veteran.

Everest Recap

Now that it appears (I think!!) the season is over, I’m writing up my annual recap looking at the entire Everest season. I will look at the hundreds who celebrated achieving their long time dream of standing on top of the world. Yet also never dreamed they would be delayed by man-made forces that were completely avoidable if the mountain were managed differently.

I’ll take a closer look at the 21 deaths across the six 8000ers this season and the 11 on Everest alone (hint – crowds were a small reason for the overall deaths.) And I’ll make an attempt at a few recommendation, as if anyone Kathmandu will take notice, it will at least make me feel like I’m doing more than just reporting (and complaining!)

This may take a while so look for it next week sometime. I’ll let you know!

I did my best to track the teams I could during the summit push and have a preliminary update on how many people summited. I’ll be refining this over the next few days but the true numbers will come from the Himalayan Database later this year.  You can see what I am reporting now on the tracker table.

As always, thanks for following this season and for your thoughtful comments and …

Why this coverage?

I like to use these weekend updates to remind my readers that I’m just one person who loves climbing. With 37 serious climbing expeditions including four Everest trips under my belt and a summit in 2011, I use my site to share those experiences, demystify Everest each year and bring awareness to Alzheimer’s Disease. My mom, Ida Arnette, died from this disease in 2009 as have four of my aunts. It was a heartbreaking experience that I never want anyone to go through thus my ask for donations to non-profits where 100% goes to them, and nothing ever to me.
donate to Alzheimers

Ida Arnette 1926-2009

Ida and AlanClimb On!
Alan
Memories are Everything

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13 thoughts on “Everest 2019: Season Over?

  1. Hello Alan, Thank you for such great coverage of Everest. Years ago I used “Everest News” for updates and have been quiet in the subsequent years. Summiting Everest is extraordinary, sad to say maybe it was extraordinary. With 380 clients and another 500 sherpas, sounds ordinary. I can’t imagine a wait line as the one’s shown this year. Again, Thank You Alan.

  2. Hello Alan,
    I found your blog by chance a few month ago (you are the second blogger I’ve ever followed) – thank you for the excellent coverage of this season!
    I found your profile in the himalayan stove project site by chance yesterday (I support them time by time) – and I recognized we were colleagues! Greetings from HP (HPE these days)! We have an extended volunteer and giving/donating program. If you are not part of it yet, but you consider to join, please, let me know.
    Take care
    Best regards
    Anett

  3. Alan

    You are amazing and I echo what everyone else says about you. You do many good deeds with your website. Which charity is closest to your heart? Your blog does so much for me I want to give you something by giving to something important to you. Thank you.

  4. Another great seasons coverage Alan, thanks so much. It is great to see the recognition you are receiving in the press, hopefully that translates to more awareness of alzheimer’s disease.

    Regards, Russ

    1. Me too Russ. I continue to climbing do this coverage to honor Ida and all those impacted by Alzheimer’s and their caregivers and to support research t find a cure.

  5. Hi Alan,
    I am a newbie Everest enthusiast and was lucky to find your site in my search endeavors. Im trying to read and learn all I can about the history, the mentality and the current state of affairs. Your site has been instrumental in providing me with a nonbiased, insightful and educated glimpse into this new world. Thank you for your tireless efforts! Your site has been safely saved in my favorites in hopes of continuing to follow your postings for many years to come!
    Debbie

  6. As always, wonderful coverage. You treated each death with sincere respect and empathy. You are always my “go to” for all things Everest. Thank You for all you do. Love From Seattle.

  7. Thank you so much, Alan, for all your hard work and thoughtful commentary throughout Everest 2019; and for providing us all with the opportunity to contribute to Alzheimer’s research.

  8. Alan,
    Can you give me an address to send a check as a donation to the Alzheimer’s fund. I can’t find this on your post. Thanks.
    Chris Madison

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