Mt. Everest Southeast Ridge

aka South Col
Himalaya - Nepal
29,031.69-feet or 8848.86-meter




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I summited Everest on May 21, 2011 and have climbed it three other times (all from Nepal) - 2002, 2003 and 2008 each time reaching just below the Balcony around 27,500' (8400 meters) before health, weather or my own judgment caused me to turn back. I attempted Lhotse twice - 2015 and 2016. When not climbing, I cover the Everest season from my home in Colorado as I did for the 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 , 2017, 2018, 2019, a virtual 2020 season, 2021, 2022, 2023 and now the 2024 season.

This page details the South Col route from Nepal. All the pictures are from my Everest climbs. I have marked the camps and routes we used in all my climbs. Also see the Northeast Ridge route map.

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Everest Southeast Ridge

aka South Col


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Elevations and Times Between Camps

  • Base Camp: 17,500'/5334m
  • C1: 19,500'/5943m - 3-6 hours, 1.62 miles
  • C2: 21,000'/6400m - 2-3 hours, 1.74 miles
  • C3:23,500'/7162m - 3-7 hours, 1.64 miles
  • Yellow Band - 1-3 hours
  • Geneva Spur - 1-2 hours
  • South Col: 26,300'/8016m - 1 hour or less
  • Balcony: 3 - 6 hours
  • South Summit : 28500' - 8690m - 3 to 5 hours
  • Hillary Step - 1 hour or less
  • Summit: 29,035' / 8850m - 1 hour or less
  • Return to South Col: 3 -7 hours
  • Return to C2: 3 hours
  • Return to Base Camp: 4 hours

 

Typical Climb Schedule

  • March 29 - Arrive Katmandu, Nepal
  • March 30,31 - Katmandu
  • April 1 - Fly to Lukla (9200'/2804m)
  • April 2-10 - Trek to Base Camp (17,500'/5334m)
  • April 11-13 - Setup BC
  • Apr 14 - 29 May - Climbing Period:
    • C1 (19,500'/5943m)
    • C2 (21,000'/6400m)
    • C3 (23,500'/7162m)
    • South Col (26,300'/8016m)
    • Summit (29,035'/8850m)
  • May 30 - Disassemble BC
  • May 31 - Trek to Lukla
  • June 1 - Fly to Katmandu
  • June 2,3,4 - Weather days or Katmandu
  • June 5 - Depart for Home

 

Base Camp up the Ice Fall

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Everest Base Camp is on the lower left with the initial route up the ice fall as seen from Kala Patar. Climbers can only see a small portion of the Khumbu Ice Fall from this angle. Everest is the highest peak in back, the one in front is Everest's West Shoulder.

See more pictures of Base Camp

Overview

Mt. Everest was first summited by Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and New Zealander Edmund Hillary with a British expedition in 1953. They took the South Col route which is described on this page. At that time the route had only been attempted twice by Swiss teams in the spring and autumn of 1952. They reached 8500m well above the South Col. Of note, Norgay was with the Swiss thus giving him the experience he used on the British expedition. The Swiss returned in 1956 to make the second summit of Everest.

Today, hundreds of climbers from around the world use this route to try to stand on top of the world. It is considered slightly more dangerous than the North Ridge Route due primarily to the instability of the Khumbu Icefall. However some considered it slightly easier than the north due to the absence of the ladders and rock climbing on the steep steps of the North Ridge route. Nepal was closed to foreigners until 1950.

Recent Events

2023 was a tragic year with the most everest deaths on record at 18. I estimate that 11 of these were avoidable. Seventeen Sherpas died in the Khumbu Icefall by a serac release on April 8, 2014 and 19 people died on April 25, 2015 at Everest Base Camp from an avalanche triggered off Pumori's ridge by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake almost 200 miles away in Nepal. However, in 2019, 9 people died on the Nepal side, most were avoidable and a result of inexperience of both client and guide.

Statistics Updated through January 2024

The Himalayan Database reports that through January 2024, there have been 11,996 summits (5,899 members and 6,097 hired) on Everest by all routes by 6,664 different people. Those climbers who have summited multiple times include 1,571 members and 1,048 Sherpa, for 5,333 total summits. There have been 883 summits by women members.

Summits
The Nepal side is more popular, with 8,350 summits compared to 3,646 summits from the Tibet side. Only 1.9% or 224 climbers summited without supplemental oxygen. Only 35 climbers have traversed from one side to the other. Member summit success stands at 39%, with 5,899 who attempted to summit, making it out of 14,496 who tried. About 62% of all expeditions put at least one member on the summit. Few climbers from both Nepal and Tibet have summited, only 668. And even fewer, 155, have summited more than once in a single season. Almost only Sherpas, 78, have summited within seven days of their first summit that season. Kami Rita Sherpa (Thami) holds the record for most summits at 29 and Kenton Cool, UK, at 17 for a non-Sherpa. Seven Sherpa have 20 or more summits. Member climbers from the USA have the most country member summits at 906.

Deaths
As for Everest deaths, 327 people (199 Westerners and 110 Sherpas) died from 1922 to January 2024. These deaths are about 2.7% of those who summited for a death rate of 1.11 of those who attempted to make the summit. Westerners die at a higher rate, 1.38, compared to hired at 0.87. Descending from the summit bid is deadly, with 92 deaths, or 28% of the total deaths. Female climbers have a lower death rate at 0.81 compared to 1.14 for male climbers, and 14 women have died on Everest. The Nepal side has seen 217 deaths or 2.8%, a rate of 1.14. The Tibet side has experienced 110 deaths or 3%, a rate of 1.09. Climbers from the UK and Japan have the most all-time deaths at 17. Most bodies are still on the mountain, but China has removed many bodies from sight on their side. The top causes of death are avalanches (77), falls (75), altitude sickness (45), and exposure (26).

Latest: Spring 2023
In 2023, there were 667 summits, including only 12 from Tibet as it was closed to foreigners but 665 from Nepal, and all but 3 used supplemental oxygen. There were a record 18 deaths of Everest climbers. 57% of all attempts by members were successful. Of the total, 61 females summited.

Everest compared to Other 8000ers
Everest is becoming safer even though more people are now climbing. From 1923 to 1999, 170 people died on Everest with 1,170 summits or 14.5%. But the deaths drastically declined from 2000 to 2023, with 10,826 summits and 157 deaths or 1.4%. However, four years skewed the death rates, with 17 in 2014, 14 in 2015, 11 in 2019, and the record 18 in 2023. The reduction in deaths is primarily due to better significantly higher Sherpa support ratios, improved supplemental oxygen at higher flow rates (up to 8 lpm) gear, weather forecasting, and more people climbing with commercial operations.

Of the 8000-meter peaks, Everest has the highest absolute number of deaths (member and hired) at 327 but ranks near the bottom with a death rate of 1.11. Annapurna is the most deadly 8000er, with one death for about every fifteen summits (73:476) or a 3.76 death rate. Cho Oyu is the safest, with 4,044 summits and 52 deaths or a death rate of 0.40, with Lhotse next at 0.38. Of note, 79 Everest member climbers out of 200 members deaths died descending from the summit, or 39%. K2's death rate has fallen dramatically from the historic 1:4 to around 1:8, primarily due to more commercial expeditions with huge Sherpa support ratios.

 

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Khumbu Ice Fall to C1

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This picture shows the lower third of the ice fall as seen from Base Camp. There is still twice as much to climb at the top of this photo. The route changes each day since the glacier is constantly moving. Lhotse's summit is peeking out on the top right above the icefall. 3-6 hours, 1.62 miles one way


The Khumbu Ice Fall is a 2,000 foot climb on a moving glacier complete with deep crevasses and towering seracs. Climbers step over the crevasses on aluminum ladders with crampons on their boots. More people have died in the Icefall than anywhere else on Everest's south side in recent years. In 2014 an ice serac released off the West Shoulder of Everest onto the Khumbu Icefall killing 16 Sherpas - the worst single incident tragedy in the history of Everest on either side. In 2015, the Icefall Doctors took the route more towards Nuptse in hopes that future similar events would not hit climbers. It is the first step in climbing Everest.

Narrative
The Icefall is ever-changing and ever-moving. In my four times climbing Everest, it was different each time and during the climbs themselves. I have now been through the Icefall about 40 times.

Climbers start before sunrise to minimize the movement of the glacier heating up with sunrise and mid-day heat. This means a 3:00AM wake-up call and a quick breakfast. The first time climbers are probably already awake with anticipation or just because they are still not used to sleeping at 17.500'. They dress in layers but not too many because it can be warm: long underwear, shell pants and light top, a shell jacket and a warm jacket in the pack for breaks. Good leather gloves, sunglasses, headlamp and warm cap top things off.

Climbing the Khumbu IcefallThey eat as much as they can at the early breakfast, top off water bottles (not hydration packs since they freeze) and put harness on then start heading towards the icefall. Depending on where their camp is located at Everest Base Camp, this can take 10 to 30 minutes to reach the last flat section, Crampon Point, where they attach their crampons to their boots.

The first section is pretty much a continuous climb that undulates wildly. Sometimes it is a 60 degree climb, others a more gentle 20 degree. After an hour in a "normal" year climbers reach the first ladder. The first time crossing a long ladder can be interesting but it gets simple as time goes on.

Breathing is heavy and labored the first couple of trips. Using a Buff is mandatory since it warms their breath and helps manage the Khumbu cough. Climbing ladders in the Ice Fall


There are huge seracs that teeter above climbers threatening to fall at any moment. Climbers are now in the section known as the Popcorn.

It is common to hear a loud crash, an avalanche in the Icefall or maybe one of those towering seracs falling. Instinctively climbers lower their shoulders and raise their arms over their head. More than likely it was off their route since the Icefall Doctors are careful to avoid the sections of the Icefall where most of these crashes happen or are exposed to Everest's West shoulder's hanging seracs.

Next climbers reach a flat section known as the football field. A large area of flat hard packed snow. This is where they take a break, drink some water, slow their breathing and eat something. This is about halfway up and it has taken at least two hours, probably three the first time up.

It should be sunrise but climbers are on the West side of the Icefall and the sun does not hit this are until 9:00 at the earliest. It can be cold if the wind is blowing so most people throw on a down parka during the break. More of the same for another two or three hours.

Sherpas returning from the previous day, or even that same morning, of load carrying to the High Camps occupy the route. They had loads that made climbers feel like a wimp. Climbers struggle with their 20lb load and Sherpas scoot by them with their 60 to 100 pound loads. Respect for these special people grow not because of their strength but because of their completeness.

The next section is the Upper Icefall but it fools climbers because think they see the top of the Icefall before realizing there is more to go. The final section always involves steeper ladders and sharper grades. It usually takes four to six hours to cover the 1.62 miles and climbers get faster as their acclimatization increases.

At the top of the Icefall, the terrain becomes a flat expanse of snow that leads into the Western Cwm. Camp 1 is still another half to full hour from here.

See more pictures of the Khumbu Icefall

Western Cwm between C1 and C2

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Western Cwm route from Camp 1 (top triangle) to Camp 2 (bottom triangle) as seen from Camp 3 on the Lhotse Face. This area is heavily crevassed and smart teams rope up or always stay clipped into the fixed rope. It takes about 2-3 hours to walk from C1 to C2 and it can be extremely hot. 2-3 hours, 1.74 miles one way

Everest and Lotse from the Western CwmAtop the Ice Fall is Camp 1 serving as a weigh station to the Western Cwm and Camp 2. The Cwm is a 'U' shaped valley carved out by the Khumbu glacier. Everest is on the North (left), Lhotse is directly ahead and Nuptse is on the right or South. The Cwm is straightforward but has several dangers. First it is hot. Temperatures can easily reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The sun is reflected by the snow and ice covered walls of the valley and lightly filtered at this 22,000 foot altitude. Then there are the crevasses. Some are crossed on ladders but others remain hidden by thin snow bridges. It was on one of these bridges that I fell into a deep crevasse in 2002. Camp 2 sits on the most Eastern point of Cwm and serves as Advanced Base Camp and a launching pad for the summit.

Narrative

Camp 1 Climbers still cannot actually see Everest until they go another quarter mile up the Western Cwm, they do have a spectacular view of Pumori and other 7000m hills behind them. I have already described climbing the IceFall so here is a description of the last steps to Camp 1.

Once climbers top the Icefall there is a large flat expanse of snow on the western end of the Western Cwm. It looks easy but they are tired. Camp 1 is not visible from the top of the Icefall.

Camp 1 in 2002There are normally five to 8 ladders in this area along with a fixed rope. Climbers are told to always attach themselves to the rope and be extra careful in this area. There is a tendency to relax their guard but now is not the time.

The walk to C1 has a gradual gain but climbers will still be breathing hard. Anywhere from half to a full hour later, the sight of yellow, red or green tents on the pure white snow come into view. But also a large part of the Cwm unfolds in front of climbers. While not all of it is visible, climbers can see Nuptse on their right, Lhotse ahead and Everest on their left. Most climbers don't notice all this since they are focused on getting into their tents and having a brew and some food. Normally each tent prepares their own food at this camp so it starts to feel like a real climb at last. IMG had a large cooking tent where we all gathered and Sherpas boiled water for us.

Next is the climb to C2 in the Western Cwm.

Western Cwm crevasse climbIt is about 1.74 miles from Camp 1 to Camp 2 with an altitude gain of 1,500'. So it is not far and not that high but ... it is hot, very hot if they travel in mid day. So most leave Camp 1 at 6:00 AM or earlier.

The sun reflects off the walls of Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse's snow covered slopes making the temperature rise above 100F degrees. Then it can be brutally cold if the cloud moves in, the wind picks up and it starts snowing. Layers are important for this section.

Camp 2 seems like a mirage throughout the walk, never getting closer. The last half hour is the most mentally challenging. The route goes up in angle and once in Camp 2 proper, it can be the steepest walk because the tents are set up along a rising rock gully. If your the camp is at the top of the gully, it can be a very long final half hour.

See more pictures of the Western Cwm

Lhotse Face to C3

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Route from Camp 2 (lower left triangle) to Camp 3 (upper triangle) up the Lhotse Face, across the yellow band and up the Geneva Spur to the South Col. Climbers must be clipped into the fixed line at all times to avoid falling resulting in injury or death. 3-6 hours, 1.64 miles one way

The next stage is the Lhotse Face, Lhotse is the fourth highest peak in the world at 27,920 feet. The face is a steep wall of hard packed ice and snow that holds Camp 3. Climbers climb the Lhotse face twice during the attempt on the summit. First as an acclimatization climb and then on the way to the summit.

Climbing the Lhotse Face

It is not uncommon for someone to die on the Face. The steep angle and hard ice make it difficult to get a grip with their crampons. Climbers must be clipped into the fixed line at all times - even while at Camp 3.

 

Narrative

Alan jumaring up the Lhotse faceClimbing the Lhotse Face is a big challenge after the Khumbu Ice Fall on the way to the summit. There are usually two ropes, an up and a down, attached to the face with ice screws and anchors.

Each rope is about 200' long so climbers must unclip their carabineers and jumars at the junctions. This is a two step process so that the climber is always attached to the fixed line by at least one device.

It is very normal for a long line of climbers to be going up and another long line coming down - usually Sherpas returning from carrying loads to the higher camps. So, in the middle of the Himalayas, climbers have a traffic jam!

The angle can be very steep especially just above the base or the bergschrund and again near the top most camps. By steep, I mean 40 to 50 degrees. This can be extremely tiring.

Alan's boot on the Lhoste Face ice Depending on the weather, the Face is usually rock hard blue ice. Climbers have to kick their crampon points into the ice stealing precious strength with each step. After a few weeks, the path is fairly well set due to the thousands of kicks into the ice but one storm can have climbers starting all over again.

There are usually two or three levels of camps because flat areas are at a premium and Sherpas need a somewhat flat area to carve out tent platforms. In 2011, there were three "Camp 3's" ranging from 23,500 to 24,000'.

The final few hundred feet into Camp 3 are difficult for almost everyone. climbers are very tired, probably dehydrated and on steep terrain. However once in their tent, the views are amazing on a clear day!

See more pictures of the Lhotse Face

Yellow Band and Geneva Spur to C4

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Route from Camp 3 to the South Col. Across the Yellow Band and to the left up the Geneva Spur. This is the first time most climbers start to use bottled oxygen. The climbing and Yellow Band is not technically hard but climbers are approaching 8000m. 3-6 hours, 0.8 miles one way

From Camp 3, on the way to the summit, climbers must cross the yellow band and the Geneva Spur on the way to the South Col. These barriers, while not technically difficult, are a challenge at an altitude of 25,000 feet and 6 weeks of expedition life. The South Col is another world. Sitting between Everest and Lhotse at 26,300 feet, it serves as the base for the summit attempt. Climbers don't spend long here since the weather is always temporary and the altitude destructive. Normally it is 8 to 12 hours depending how long the climb from Camp 3 took. Once there, they eat and rest and then go to the summit.

Narrative

Yellow Band between C3 and South ColLet's take a look at the climb above C3 and onto the South Col. The terrain starts out fairly steep from C3. Most climbers are on supplemental oxygen and leave their tents after sunrise.

It can be extremely cold before the sun moves over Lhotse or if the winds are the least bit strong, it can be miserable. But as soon as the sun hits, and there are no clouds, then it can become horribly hot. Many climbers are in their full down suits trying to minimize the weight in their packs.

After about a couple of hours they approach the Yellow Band,a strip of limestone that cuts through the Himalayas in this area. They leave snow and climb on smooth rocks at a 20 to 30 degree angle. This is only for about 100 - 300 feet depending on the route that year but it takes concentration. The fixed ropes are a huge asset here. A jam usually occurs in this area if several teams are going for the summit on the same day. Once clear of the Band, it somewhat flattens out until the bottom of the ridge South Coldefining the South Col. This is actually on the Geneva Spur.

Climbers are a little weary at this point more from the altitude than anything else so when they see Geneva Spur's 150' of 40 degree rock, ice and snow, it causes a long pause. But it is actually easier than it looks. From all the traffic, there are steps but also the uneven rock allows for good foot placement. In low snow years, this area may be snow free and most Sherpas and some climbers remove their crampons to make it easier.

Topping the ridge, climbers follow a rocky "path" worn by other climbers and soon step on the South Col proper - an area the size of two football fields with ten or twenty or thirty tents huddled together on the west end. But most climber notice the tents second - after they see the actual summit pyramid of Mount Everest for the first time.

See more pictures of the South Col and above

South Col to the Balcony

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Summit route as seen from Camp 4, the South Col. The true summit is not visible from this angle. It is about 1.07 miles from the South Col to the summit and usually takes from 6 to 9 hours or more.

The summit bid starts before midnight with a steep climb up the South side of Everest. Reaching the Balcony at 27,500 feet, climbers turn West up the ridge to the South Summit, over the Hillary Step onto the Summit Ridge and then ... the summit.

Narrative

If the weather is good, there will be no wind and the temps around zero, very comfortable in down suits. In 2011 we arrived in C4 after a 3 hour climb from C3 at 8:00 AM and rested, drank and ate until 7:00 PM. On my IMG climb we had Personal Sherpas whom we had come to know closely.

As we got ready to leave for the summit, they checked our crampons for tightness, that our harnesses were doubled-backed and that our oxygen was set properly with the regulators. They helped us on with packs and then led the climb to the summit.
Everest from South Col

It was obviously dark at 9:20 PM when we set out. Headlamps lighting up the way. Each climber was with their Personal Sherpa. Also each Sherpa and many climbers had a radio each.

We started up the Triangular Face towards the Balcony. The activity was fast paced. Climbers passing climbers. People stopping to adjust oxygen or gear. The lines took some time to spread out. At some points climbers simply stood in place waiting for the person ahead of climbers to move, not wanting -or able -to pass them.

The climb from the South Col is some of the steepest, sustained climbing on a South Col route climb until you reach the slabs discussed next. In low snow years, the crampon on rock movement creates slips that robs energy. On good snow years, there is usually a well-worn path developed on the route. The fixed line becomes a bit cumbersome and requires careful manipulation of their carabineer and jumar in heavy gloves at each anchor. It is critical to have a solid glove system to maintain dexterity and warmth.

The climb through the Triangular Face to the Balcony is long and cold in the dark. Usually there is at least a partial moon in mid to late May so climbers can see the surrounding ground plus the nearby mountains including Makalu and Lhotse.

The route seems to go up forever and climbers think climbers are never going to get to the Balcony. Climbers worry that their oxygen may run out as climbers get stuck in a line or are going slowly. But after a few hours, or more, climbers suddenly see the headlamps in front of climbers standing still, if this is not the flat area below the Balcony, it is the Balcony itself and climbers are about there!

This is where almost every climber swaps oxygen bottles for a fresh one and also time for a food and water break.

See more pictures of the South Col and above


 

 

I summited Mt. Everest at 5:00AM on May 21, 2011 with Kami Sherpa of International Mountain Guides (IMG). This video was taken by Panaru Sherpa who climbed with Karim Mella, the first Dominican to summit Everest. The audio at 56 seconds in the video is my dispatch from the summit to this website dedicating the summit to all mom's with Alzheimer's. My mom, Ida, and two of my aunts, died from Alzheimer's.

 

Alans ofical Everest summit certificate

 

 

 

 

 

Alan on Everest summit

Southeast Ridge to the Summit

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Summit Ridge. South Summit on the right. The summit is the highest point in this picture. The lite cloud (plume) is normal and shows some winds but still marginally climbable. This picture was taken from Kala Patar using a 10X optical zoom lens

click to enlarge More on my summit based on my May 21 2011 summit. The climb from the Balcony to the South Summit was longer than I anticipated and significantly more difficult than I had envisioned. A lot depends on snow conditions. In low snow years, smooth rock slabs just below the South Summit can be challenging with crampons and in high snow years, deep snow drifts create issues. The last section to the South Summit was quite steep.

The picture on the right was taken by teammate Simon Arnsby as he summited Lhotse the same morning I summited Everest, May 21, 2011. Click to enlarge it and you can easily see climbers along the slabs.

Climbers leave the Balcony on a somewhat gentle grade but it quickly increases to 30 degrees but still on a snow packed boot path in high traffic years. However, this changes when climbers hit the slabs, a long section of smooth to jumbled rock, perhaps 200' in total. The slabs vary in difficulty from annoying to very steep and hard. There are a few sections of 20' to 30' high "cliff like" features of 60 degrees, very steep, where climbers are placing their crampon front points on jutting rock and pulling yourself up with their jumar. This can be exhausting. Also this section can create long bottlenecks both going up and descending.

Above the slabs, it gets even steeper, maybe 60 degrees; hard to believe when climbers are there. But this section is short, maybe 100' and on a wide snow slope. The South Summit is the first time climbers can clearly see the final route to the true summit and probably the first time climbers think they will actually summit. The route was a shock to me in that it was still very steep and seemed much more than 500' gain.

Once on top of the South Summit, climbers must down climb about 50'. I arm wrapped this section but here was when the winds picked up to over 30 mph coming due west. It became extremely cold and stayed that way until I returned to the South Summit on the descent. It is critical to have goggles and mittens in these conditions

After descending from the South Summit, climbers encounter a small rock climb, maybe 10 feet that I mistook for the Hillary Step for a moment. Next is a knife-edge ridge, the Cornice-Traverse leads to the Hillary Step. This is the most exposed section of a Southeast Ridge climb. On one side it is 8,000 ft down the southwest face and on the other, the Kangshung face, a 11,000 ft drop. Some climbers report various degrees of vertigo and being uneasy with soft edges on the boot tracks. I did not find it difficult or frightening since I crossed it in the dark and didn't remember it on the descent.

Climbers continue gaining altitude over some rolling bumps and soon see the Hillary Step. The picture below was taken by Brad Jackson in 2009. It is a bit of a shock in that it is relatively high, about 50' of jutting rock. Basically climbers climb the crack. I watched my Personal Sherpa, Kami, climb it and followed his lead There were new and old fixed ropes but not the spider web I had heard about from old ropes.

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I clipped my jumar and carabineer onto the new ropes and placed my right foot on a small rock ledge, then my left - a classic stem stance. I repeated basically the same moves to the top pulling on the ropes using my jumar. I found it challenging but not nearly as hard as advertised!

At the top of the Hillary Step a large boulder aka chockstone sitting on a ledge, blocked the route. You can see it in the picture above the top climber with the rope ascending above it. I stayed clipped in and scooted around it given the thousand foot drop-off to the left and the vertical rock wall to the right. Again, not difficult but somewhat challenging given the circumstances.

The final section was another surprise for me. I had expected a long snow slope with the summit visible from just above the Hillary Step but there were more small hills, really bumps that blocked the view and continued to demand a physical effort on top of the altitude requirements. On the right were large snow cornices with interesting shapes created by the prevailing winds. It only took about 20 minutes to go from the Step to the first view of the summit, prayer flags marking the top of the world.

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The summit is not big, maybe 30 square feet. It had a small bench carved out of the snow for climbers to pose for pictures. On the other side was the route from the north side, Tibet.

Once on the summit, the return climb can be dangerous and has the highest incident rate due to climber's letting their guard down, fatigue or weather conditions that developed during the day. I took a little over 3 hours to return to the South Col, finding it fast with few delays other than at the slabs below the South Summit. I arm wrapped the steep sections.

Most climbers will take 9 to 18 hours for the round trip climb from the South Col. My total time was 11 hours as follows:

  • South Col - Balcony: 3:40
  • Balcony (with 20 minute break) - South Summit: 2:30 hours
  • South Summit (with 20 minute break)- top of Hillary Step: 1:00 hour
  • Hillary Step - Summit: 30 minutes
  • Descent Summit - Balcony: 2 hours
  • Balcony - South Col: 1 hour

That's about it. Incredible journey to a unique place. Deserving of every harsh word ever written or said. AND deserving of all the mystique and attraction.

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For deep insight into an Everest expedition, download
Everest 2011: Summit of Memories
report of my 2011 south side summit climb. It is a free PDF.

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