Yesterday evening (Thursday, May 6) the team made it up to Camp 1 in lightly foggy weather. Warm weather has been prevailing here in Base Camp, but four inches of snow was reported at Camp 1. The team did very well and the path through the Icefall was significantly more straightforward than the first rotation. The last rotation took them 10 hours, and this time they traveled that section in about 6.5 hours, which also speaks to the effectiveness of the acclimatization process.
In a few days they hope to touch Camp 3 midway up the Lhotse Face. Our long range forecast shows the wind picking up again on the 13th, so timing on this move looks good. We are hoping our sherpa team can get all Oxygen moved up to the south col before the 11th or 12th.
Today (Friday, May 7) as the Mountain Trip team has moved up to Camp 2. Some nice weather today as they started early and made good time to camp. Also today our sherpa team has put in Camp 3 on the Lhotse Face. It’s a lot of work to make Camp 3, chipping tent platforms out of the solid ice and moving tents and O2 into place.
The first Sherpa team of the season reached the summit today, including Kami Rita Sherpa, who gained his 25th successful Everest summit!
The team is planning a few more nights at Camp 2 to properly acclimatize, and a trip up to Camp 3 before dropping back to Base Camp for one more break before launching for our summit bid. We are planning a little (few days) later summit in the hopes most of the teams here can summit earlier. The slightly later windows offers some advantages in warmer temperatures, normally lighter winds and hopefully less crowded ropes.
A climber in the upper Khumbu Icefall.
–Scott Woolums, Mountain Trip Mount Everest Base Camp Manager
Here’s an audio update from lead Mountain Trip Guide, Jacob Schmitz, on the route:
TO: Daniel Laidig
We are following your progress and praying for your safety and health. Your perseverance inspires us all!
Peace & love to you,
Jim, Joan, Jonathan, Will Guy