![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.alanarnette.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/image-7-300x221.png\")
As word spreads that the ropes fixers may be back at work this weekend, some of the teams that went to lower villages are slowly returning<\/strong> to their base camps and starting the preparations for their summit bids. However, remember there is still a solid 20 days left in the season so a long time to go.<\/p>\n I was told the Icefall Doctors have declared they will stop maintaining the route to Camp 2 on May 29. Not sure how this date was selected but it has been warm<\/strong> this year (again) and the route through the Icefall begins to get very dangerous as the already teetering seracs loses their frozen foundations.<\/p>\n Cable Car to the Summit<\/strong><\/p>\n Being associated one way or another with Everest and climbing since 1997, I’ve heard every joke and jab but the most common is about putting a cable car to the summit … well … it appears this might actually happen on Kilimanjaro<\/strong>. Reuters<\/a> is reporting that a study is underway by\u00a0Tanzania to build cable car to the summit.\u00a0Before we all cry foul, think about the lifts on Elbrus, Mont Blanc, and elsewhere around the world. All of this is to make money off natural resources but on Kill, there is a big fear it will put many of the 20,000 porters out of business.<\/p>\n Mingma Sherpa<\/a> and his Imagine Nepal<\/a> company has been quite successful over the past few years both in Nepal and Pakistan. I asked Mingma how he was doing this year on the Nepal side. Looks like Lhotse first.<\/p>\n “We were already concerned about the big wind so we finished our acclimatization before it comes and kept everyone on rest. Today our Sherpa team dropped first load to south Col and they will take 2 days rest for another load to south Col then we are ready for summit push. The weather from 11 May is getting better but we are not in hurry this time. Most probably we will go Lhotse Summit first.<\/p>\n Ropes: I found this year is better than last year. Fixing team has done great job.\u00a0The rope to summit must be after 14 May. We set up our south Col on 29 may last year but this year we are still struggling with weather for setting camp 4. All depends on weather for now.\u00a0My team is composed of two Greece woman, 5 Chinese, 1 Pakistan, 1 Indian boy and one Canadian. Additional one Greece man and a Chinese for Lhotse. Also 4 members from Everest will attempt Lhotse.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n I asked Garrett Madison, who is hosting and managing the rope fixing team, when he expected the see them reach the summit: “Looks like winds dropping on May 12, so hopefully after that”<\/p>\nNepal – Loads to South Col, No Summit Ropes, Lhotse Time<\/h3>\n
Tibet – No Crowds, No Ropes<\/strong><\/h3>\n