Everest 2017: After 14 Everest Expeditions, Why Altitude Junkies is Leaving?
Guide companies tend to come and go, especially on Everest, but there are a handful that have made a significant contribution to the industry and when they “go”, there is a good reason. I’ve known Phil Crampton since 2008 when he was instrumental in helping me recover from botched logistics on a Everest North side climb. We […]
Everest 2017: Why is the Khumbu Icefall so Dangerous?
Of all the sections on Everest, the Khumbu Icefall receives the most headlines for the danger. Why is it so dangerous? Does it deserve this reputation? What can climbers do about? Let’s take a look. A River of Ice that is Melting Everything starts with the Khumbu Glacier, a 10 mile/17km river of ice that begins high on […]
Everest 2017: Russell Brice “Old School” Prepares for Another Season
Russell Brice is a legend on Everest. He came to notoriety on the Discovery Channel’s “Everest Beyond the Limits” series about 10 years ago. But few people know that Russ is a world-class climber in his own right. Born in New Zealand in 1952, he now lives in London. He started climbing as a young boy in […]
Everest 2017: Why Does it Take so Long to Climb Everest?
Climbers are beginning to pack their duffle bags in preparation to leave for Kathmandu. But its early March and most people summit around May 19th, so whats the hurry? Good question. Let’s take a look at how long it takes to get to the top of the world. The new shiny penny in the world of […]
Alex Txikon’s Everest Winter Summit – OVER
Alex Txikon said going on would have been “suicide.” With a team of five Sherpas he reached Camp 2 on 7th March 2017 from the Nepal side of Everest. They felt the extreme cold and high winds with the same in the forecast for many days and called it quits. Txikon says he will return. Txikon deserves a lot […]
Alex Txikon’s on Final Everest winter Summit Push
Alex Txikon’s team is back on Everest for what will be their last push to summit Everest in winter. They need to top out by March 20 to claim that prize. LATEST: Their GPS tracker still shows them at Camp 2 as of this post midnight, Wednesday March 7 Everest time. They should be on their way to the […]
Everest 2017: Mountain Madness, the Quiet Comeback
If you say “Mountain Madness”, what comes to mind? Many people will say Scott Fisher and others may bring up Everest 1996. And while not wrong, they might be missing one of the quietest comeback stories in expedition guiding. Now under the leadership of Mark Gunlogson, MM is preparing a return to Everest in 2017 […]
Everest 2017: Last Minute Preparations for Everest
Now that we have entered March, it time for Everest climbers to get focused, time to get serious about the last minute preparations. Since their dream began, they wondered how this period would feel. They have been saving money, buying gear, training their body but a few important steps remain before boarding that plane for Kathmandu. A longtime […]
Everest 2017: Welcome to Everest 2017 Coverage
Welcome to the kick-off for my Everest 2017 coverage! I have already posted a few articles on 2017 but let me officially welcome you. This will be my 16th season of all-things Everest: 10 times providing coverage, another 4 seasons of actually climbing on Everest and two years attempting Lhotse. I did similar coverage for the 2004, 2005, […]
A Month to Everest 2017
Late February is an awkward time for aspiring Everest climbers. It is too late to make serious advancements in physical training and too early to eat what you want assuming you will lose weight during the climb. Making serious gear changes is not advised nor is changing guide services. But there is still work to do! […]