{"id":39172,"date":"2021-04-30T11:17:18","date_gmt":"2021-04-30T17:17:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alanarnette.com\/blog\/?p=39172"},"modified":"2021-04-30T16:04:44","modified_gmt":"2021-04-30T22:04:44","slug":"everest-2021-what-virus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alanarnette.com\/blog\/2021\/04\/30\/everest-2021-what-virus\/","title":{"rendered":"Everest 2021: What Virus?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Well, after yesterday’s headline of “The Covid situation at EBC is a total shitstorm” it’s business as usual for most teams on Everest. I even got this comment from Alpine Ascents, “Maybe their Basecamp is a \u201cshitshow\u201d, ours is not.” Another comment called the post, “publishing one woman\u2019s hysterical account does a disservice to those who really are trying for a safe and successful season.” OK, so there you have it. Meanwhile, the government continues to deny any issues at all.<\/p>\n

The weather continues to be good for this time of the season with day-time highs near freezing at base camp. The ropes are to the South Col and expected to reach the summit soon. \u00a0The virus is definitely the main topic throughout Nepal with the country locking down and limiting travel in and out. But at Everest Base Camp, it seems like a mixed bag. Some teams think the virus is much to do about nothing, while others are worried. Hard to tell facts from fiction or denial.<\/p>\n

So, let’s look at what the non-hysterical teams are saying:<\/p>\n

First from a team member, Meghan Buchanan, of the person who made the “shitstorm” post:<\/p>\n

\u201c I am truly sorry for the experience Gina had within a 12 hr time period, especially after such a great accomplishment on Annapurna. However, I am in a team at the same camp (for a few weeks) and experiencing something very different.<\/p>\n

1st- if you are extremely concerned about getting covid, while we are still in a pandemic, I would recommend pushing your expeditions to 2022 or beyond.<\/p>\n

2nd- Myself, and my team have taken the Covid covenant (we fully read and agreed too) seriously and have remained vigilant to protect not only ourselves, but our Nepalese support crew. We have nearly ALL already had covid AND\/OR have been vaccinated (prior to arrival to Nepal). That is a portion of the data points i considered when deciding to move forward with a 2021 Everest expedition. If I did not have antibodies and been vaccinated, I personally would not have come. And if I had come, not ensuring I was protected against covid, but decided to leave because we are indeed still in the middle of a pandemic (which is totally valid), I would NOT be looking at going on another expedition in only 1 month. We will still be in a pandemic. So, this reasoning does not hold up.<\/p>\n

I believe it selfish and irresponsible to start a dumpster fire right before your helicopter ride out of base camp.\u00a0I want to make sure readers understand and that there are many of us here on Everest that have taken great precautions, as well as remain vigilant to protect ourselves, and others, from Covid. My entire team is extremely healthy, happy and gets tested regularly. It is NOT a \u201cshit storm\u201d for everyone here at base camp. Rather, in my experience, it is a group of people taking the utmost precaution to protect and support each other as we move forward to achieve our goal of summiting the highest peak in the world.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Ascent Himalayas<\/a>\u00a0is optimistic posting:<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
The route has been fixed upto camp 4.Some of our team members has completed the rotation and some are waiting for the good weather to start the rotation.All our team are safe and looking forward to summit by second week of may.<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Climbing The Seven Summits<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
The Western Guided Team takes in the unique landscape of base camp on an acclimatization hike as they prepare for their second rotation<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Garrett Madison<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0of Madison Mountaineering also reports progress:<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Birds eye view of our @madisonmtng #Everest<\/a> base camp this morning. Some fresh snowfall, sunshine, and a fresh cup of coffee make for a great start to the day! In the center of our camp are the @mountainhardwear space station dome tents, which provide shelter from the elements here at 17,500\u2019 \/ 5,303m. We\u2019re resting up from our first rotation and excited for another trip to the higher camps in a few days time!<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Imagine Nepal<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is on the move:<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Having puja ceremony and ice climbing+Ladder Crossing practice at base camp, tomorrow we are heading to camp1 and then to camp2 and camp3 for our first rotation and acclimatization. Our Sherpa team will work on setting camp3 and camp4 during this day. We will be back to base camp on 4th May.<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
David G\u00f6ttler<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0who is climbing the Big E without Os noted:<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
One more from my last rotation up to 6800meter on the Lhotse face between C2 and C3. The face itself was super dry. I hope with the recent small snowfalls it changes to a bit better and safer conditions.<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\n

And KilianJornet<\/a> made this comment on his West Ridge ,no O’s attempt with \u00a0David G\u00f6ttler<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Looking forward to be back on thin air terrain. When @david_goettler<\/a> texted me last year we didn\u2019t need much words to plan a climb together. A simple idea and a high possibility of faillure summarizes perfectly what we\u2019re searching during the next weeks in the Khumbu regio<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
From a climber with the name Bold, Brave, Beautiful:<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
The plan is to go to camp one and stay the night. Then go to camp 2. We will stay two nights and then we will head up to touch camp 3 and then come back down and sleep at camp 2 for our 3rd night there. The next day we will head back down to base camp. Spirits are high and everyone is excited to get on the mountain! We are hoping to do one rotation on the mountain and then do a summit push but if the jet stream lingers too long next week it could change it all up. Life in the mountains is always an adventure. Wish us luck!<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

And on Dhaulagiri,\u00a0Expedition Base<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0reports in:<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Expedition Base team members are at Dhaulagiri base camp, planning to head up the mountain for a rotation tomorrow, weather and conditions permitting. Its been a mixed bag so far regarding weather. Luckily, the team are not in a hurry, they can take their time. They are acclimatised and where they need to be – resting, eating, keep warm, doing a few hikes around the area to keep the blood flowing and enjoying being in the mountains. All the best, team. We are watching and wishing you the very best!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

I hope these teams (and the others) are correct and have escaped any difficulty. With the jet stream staying away, we might see early summits this year, but I’ve heard that before.<\/p>\n

\n

Nepal Permit Update: Record<\/h3>\n

The permits for Everest surpassed the previous record of 382 foreign permits set in 2019. The Nepal Ministry of Tourism posted these foreign permit tally as of April 30.<\/p>\n