Everest Base Camp Training Day

Skills camp today - practicing ladder crossings and ropes skills both ascending and repelling at the Khumbu Glacier next to camp. We will cross 6-10 crevasses (10’ to 150’ deep) on ladders going through the Khumbu Ice Fall tomorrow or Wednesday. The crevasses are between 6 and 20 feet long so you need to pay attention as you cross on aluminum ladders often strapped together. There are several 15’ to 45’ sheer ice faces in the glacier that we need to be ascend with either ropes or ladders. The glacier is moving forward at a rate of 3 ft a day so we will be crossing at 11:00 pm when the ice is colder and more stable and the ladders less likely to shift. Getting through the Khumbu ice fall quickly is a huge priority for every climber.

We watched several rookie climbers first hand struggle greatly on the ropes - not seeming to know what to do. Ascending the fixed ropes is the most basic skill when engaged in glacier travel. I learned how to do this at Mt Vinson, Mt Elbrus and Mt. Denali. I think that’s what makes Everest the most frustratingly difficult mountain - huge traffic jams with amateurs who have not put in the work - don’t have the skills and cause lengthy delays.

The snow is falling steady here and will continue until Thursday. Fingers crossed we can get through this next rotation and come back Saturday and return to Kathmandu for some R&R before the weather opens up for a summit bid.

We climbed today for Hopecam Child Logan, from Rebublic MO, who recently relapsed after years of treatment. Logan is deaf and used his tablet to “sign” with friends and stay in touch with his kindergarten classmates. We are holding Logan in our hearts today.

Huge shout out to the Funk Family (Clayton, Addison and Hudson) who sponsored our training today.