Everest 2021: Weather Hold
Heavy snow continues on Everest, but a couple of teams at C2 hoping for a summit window from May 29-31.
Garrett Madison tells me from Base Camp around 10 am Friday, May 28, “Snowing hard here in EBC..climbers worried now about too much snow & avalanche danger on the Lhotse face…SPCC closing the icefall May 31, if climbers stay longer up high they might need to helicopter out from C2”
Everest 2021: Delays Due to Cyclone Yaas
Heavy snow was reported on Everest, but some teams are reporting low winds. Once again, the truth is opaque on Everest. The gag order by the Nepal government has had a dramatic impact on teams’ willingness to share any information that could be construed as negative, thus all the happy talk. A handful of teams are still eyeing the end of the month for one last try.
Cyclone Yaas is expected to touch Everest for another 24 to 48 hours or until May 29, thus leaving an opening as early as Saturday but more likely Sunday and Monday. No doubt any team trying to make this last chance will be met with deep snow. It will take a strong group of many Sherpas to break trail. Avalanche risk may be present especially since the teams will not have the choice to wait a day or two for the layers to bond.
Meanwhile, in a press release, Nepal’s home ministry calls expedition agencies and tourism officials ‘to make an immediate return of climbers from mountains.” Most computer-based weather forecasts call for winds to decrease to under 15 mph starting on Sunday, May 30.
Everest 2021: More Cancellations due to COVID and Wind
If it’s not COVID, it’s the winds. two more teams end their expedition early telling climbers, “it’s over.” A handful are still eyeing the end of the week for one last try.
With Cyclone Yaas making landfall in India, the winds are touching Everest. Nepal’s Meteorological Forecasting Division said the storm is now in the process of ‘weakening’, but will impact the weather in Nepal till Saturday. Not good news for those holding for it to pass. The Icefall Docs said they will shut down the route on May 31, Saturday. However, they might be talked into another extension.
Everest 2021: Wind Watch
With Cyclone Yaas making landfall in India, the winds are touching Everest. The past 24 to 48 hours have been a bit difficult for teams descending from the Monday morning summit. Other teams are holding for the storm to pass aiming for summit bids later this week. Some random points from this season.
Everest 2021: Summit Wave 4 Wrap Up, 4th Death
The 2021 season is winding down with fewer climbers on each wave. Sadly, a Sherpa died at the South Col. It appears that less than 25 summited on Tuesday morning with some teams still holding back waiting to see how Cyclone Yaas will impact the mountain. Many operators are targeting the morning of May 26 for summits.
Everest 2021: Summit Wave 4 – Update #1
Teams are headed for the summit tonight, Sunday, May 23, 2021, aiming for Monday morning summits.
With the Icefall now being opened to May 31, the remaining teams at base camp will have the option of sitting out any impact from Cyclone Yaas on Tuesday and targeting May 27th or 28th for their summit and returning by the end of the month to base camp.
Everest 2021: Weekend Update plus Cyclone Update
A big day of summits on Sunday, May 23, 2021, albeit in blustery conditions. I estimate over 40 members supported by a stunning 67 Sherpas summited. It appears a similar number is headed up Sunday night for a Monday morning summit before snow and winds return. Lhotse also had many summits.
Everest 2021: Summit Wave 3 Wrap Up
A big day of summits on Sunday, May 23, 2021, albeit in blustery conditions. I estimate over 40 members supported by a stunning 67 Sherpas summited. It appears a similar number is headed up Sunday night for a Monday morning summit before snow and winds return. Lhotse also had many summits.
Everest 2021: Summit Wave 3 – Update 3
It’s unclear what is happening on Everest late Saturday night, Nepal time. I’ve checked with several teams and there is little to no communications from the South Col. Hgh winds and a lenticular cloud is hovering over the summit. Usually, teams will NOT climb in these conditions. Another team canceled their expedition citing COVID.
Everest 2021: Risk Management
Teams are making serious summit plans with a few already staged rat the South Colin albeit windy conditions. In fact, it’s too windy to go for the summit so they will hold in place Saturday, May 22 hoping to leave late Saturday night for a Sunday, May 23rd summit. It’s all about risk management in this moment.