Icefall Woes
The Khumbu Icefall is quite the busy place these days. Teams are starting as early as 3:00AM to avoid the heat of the day and thus the melting and instability of the ice. But some reports are showing an extra long time this year. Peak Freaks said the normal 5 hour first trip took some of their members 10. Tim Rippel commented that there were more ladders and congestion with climbers and Sherpas ferrying gear to the high camps. Adventure Consultants also commented on the speed with their reported 7 hours.
Into the Icefall
It is getting busy! Climbers finally started going through the Icefall on Thursday, Nepal time. It is always surprising during the first trip to see where the route goes. Climbers look for the milestones: the Prayer Flags, the Popcorn, the Football Field, Vertical Ladders. At each break, they look ahead in vain for the top but are rewarded with a full layout of Everest Base Camp down below.
Climbers Reflect and the Icefall is in Early
This week, the majority of the 2010 expeditions are working their way up the Khumbu towards Everest Base Camp on the south side. Permits and visas have now been issued for north teams and they have left Kathmandu, crossed the boarder and are already in Tingri and other Tibetan villages. Plus the Icefall route is now in!
Teams Through Namache Bazaar
Many teams are now passing through Namche Bazaar, the informal capital of the Khumbu. Teams spend three days there because it is about 12,500′ and some people begin to feel the altitude for the first time.