Everest/Lhotse 2016: More Everest Summits to Come, 300 Thus far – Update

Lhotse

After 202 climbers summited the morning on 19 May, another couple of hundred will continue tonight looking  at 20 May for their time on top of the world. Sadly, there was one death  but it was not associated with the summit push. Some teams reported lines but that appears to have been not widespread judging by the team and individual reports. There have been 300 summits just from Nepal thus far, and only a few from Tibet as of today.

Big Picture

The 2016 season continues to go about as good as an Everest season goes – decent weather, manageable summit pushes, few surprises but sadly there have been deaths.

After six straight days of summits from Nepal, the winds stopped the spree on the 17. The conditions had been marginally acceptable and there were a few case of frostbite due to the high winds experienced on those summit pushes. Most teams choose to wait for the more traditional summit windows starting around 18 May.

Over on the North side, the Chinese climbers responsible for fixing the lines to the summit were also stalled by the high winds but have said they will get the lines in so almost all the teams have left Chinese Base Camp for their summit pushes. But it appears there were summits on 19 May.

19 May Summits

This morning summiteers mostly spent the night of 18 May at the South Col after high winds stopped all attempts to summit that night. In speaking with some of the professional weather forecasters, they said 50 mph winds were in the forecast. It appears that teams continued to the summit in spite of the high winds to get ahead of the 400 some-odd climbers predicted to attempt the summit from the Nepal side from 18 thru the 21 of May.

Their wait was rewarded with good conditions for Everest – no precipitation and winds that were considered reasonable.

Most of the commercial climbers use 4 liters per minute of supplemental oxygen and had a personal Sherpa, or two, by their side. This has become standard for almost the past 5 to 7 years. Those who didn’t summit, mostly reported altitude related illnesses, not conditions.

There are many climbers who became first for their country or cause – too many to note here – but feel free to add them in the comments section. Department of Tourism official Gyanendra Shrestha is based at Everest Base Camp and collects the daily statistics.

20 May Summit Push

The summits will continue tonight and tomorrow and perhaps into late May if the weather holds as there are a few large teams still climbing to the South Col.

Lhotse Death

The Indian Army wanted to summit Lhotse prior to Everest and took responsibility to fix the ropes. They were supported by Arun Treks. According to the Himalayan, sadly, while seven of the Army climbers were following on Lhotse, Ang Furba Sherpa, part of a seven person rope fixing team ahead fixing the ropes,  fell to his death down the Lhotse Face. His fall was witnessed by climbers at Camp 3 and on the Face. My deep condolences to his family, teammates and friends on this tragic loss.

This was the second death of the 2016 season. The first was reported a few days ago on the North side from abenteuer-outdoor

Tibet

One the Tibet side, teams are now positioned at the North Col, and higher at Camps 2 and 3 looking at summits starting as soon as 21May.

update: On the morning of 19 May, the home team reports that USMC Ssgt. Charlie Linville has just become the first combat wounded veteran to summit Mount Everest along with Tim Medvetz of the Heroes Project. With them were an unspecified team of Sherpas, and videographer Kazuya Hiraide, TV producer Ed Wardle.

Weather

Still on many team’s mind is the cyclone off the Indian coast. Michael Fagin of www.everestweather.com sent me this image. But according to accuweather it may not be a factor for the Himalaya but some bands may bring moisture and winds so continuing to monitor daily forecasts is a good idea.

Tropical Cyclone Roanu is forecast to move northeastward, paralleling the east coast of India over the next few days with some additional strengthening due to strong outflow and warm sea surface temperatures. Some weakening is then likely before an expected landfall in southeastern Bangladesh later Saturday or Sunday.

 

2016 Cyclone
2016 Cyclone

Congratulations to all those who summited and achieved their dreams. Best of luck to those up next.
Climb On!

Alan

Memories are Everything

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5 thoughts on “Everest/Lhotse 2016: More Everest Summits to Come, 300 Thus far – Update

  1. How many even reach the summit? As far as I can see the top of Everest is a small peak covered by flags, I have never seen pictures of people standing on that, just beside it. So does anyone really stand on top of the world after all?

    1. Paul, it is custom and respect by Sherpas, and thus many climbers, not to stand on the precise summit due to their belief that this is where the mountain Gods live. However, some people do stand on the exact top. The flags and people you see in pictures are a couple of feet below the actual summit.

  2. Kate, not sure of your conclusion that Everest is so easy based on your bewilderment with the summit numbers.

    More Sherpas have summited this year and more foreigners have died on Everest overall.

    Sherpas are by far the largest contributor to the summit number with 200 of the 300 this season.

    Of the 284 people who have died on Everest, 170 were foreigners and 114 Sherpas.

    To question anyone’s fulfillment as a “mountaineer” in summiting Everest today is simply misplaced. I invite you to speak personally with anyone who has summited in the past 5 years for their perspective.

    1. Well, that’s me told. I think we are really singing from the same hymn sheet Alan.I do have friends who have summited and their joy was unquestionable but they were not novices and they had done their homework first.I suppose it’s the numbers who climb expecting the brave Sherpas to lead them by the hand providing them with every comfort that niggles me and there are some.The fact that the Sherpa numbers are so high supports me on that.As we all know the brave Sherpas risk their lives every season simply to put food on their tables and after the last two devastating years they need their fees more than ever.Most of the climbers would be unable to reach the summit without Sherpa help as history tells us, even Mallory and Irvine knew that from the start, but there are limits.I would not go as far as the folk who write that the modern day climbers expect the Sherpas to carry coffee machines and televisions on their
      backs ! – but I can understand where they are coming from. I still question the name “mountaineer” for a minority and I did say ” each to his own for fulfilment.”In conclusion I do commend those who reach the summit and thereby raise many dollars for their charities. Cheers Kate

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