We went back to camp 1 again to acclimatise some more and the do a bit of a reccy on the Rock step that leads to the SW ridge proper. Once we’d done that we were able to descend back to BC for 2 days rest before heading back up to make our summit push. It was a brisk -15 degrees at 3 am when we headed off up the ridge in the dark – the line of head torches beneath us slowly moving from anchor to anchor. As dawn approached we were at 6200m with only 250 m of vertical climbing and about 1 km of travering ahead of us – reaching the final summit ridge was a welcome feeling as the sun warmed our bodies – a brief rest in a sheltered spot and we were again off towards the final delicate summit – over hanging corniced snow meant we could do the final 3 m to the top and that was no matter – the views were incredible – the wind lite and the sun warm on our weary bodies – all that was left for us to do now was descend – congratulating the other team members as they negotiated the final few 100m or so for their own summit and eventual descent.
Descending is actually the most critical phase of the the entire expedition / climb. Weary bodies and mind – sore feet and very steep terrain kept everybody on their toes – litterally!
A few team members were too tired to descend safely past camp 1 so they (Jerry, Janet and Andrew) remained with 2 of out Sherpa Staff (Chhirring and Pemba) before making the last descent the following morning (3rd of November)
Camp 1 and the Rock Tower
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- Rory Enjoying a brew at Camp 1
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- Andrew and Janet
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- Camp 1 – a Broad flat place to relax
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- A cosy camp with Taboche in the Ackground
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- Mal Haskins – enroute to the rock tower
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- Topping out on entrancd to the Rock tower
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- Shaun Moore at the Notch at the end of the Rock
Early Morning Starts – the SW Ridge and cold Temps
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- Dark Moonless Morning and the Glow of head torches
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- Cold Cold – Image John O’Conner
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- Steep terrain leading to the ‘Mushroom’ nd Camp 2 – Imagw John O’Conner
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- Rory and John Finally on flat terrain at the ‘Mushroom’ – Camp 2
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- Traversing under the seracs past Camp 2
The Summit Ridge Line and the Summit
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- Rory – with Shaun Moore and Pemba Sherpa – the final hard years
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- Steep and exposed – just below the summit
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- Rory, John and Shaun Enjoying a moment of flat terrain
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- Sherap Sherpa – on the ‘Tennis court’ beneath the Summit
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- A narrow precarious summit
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- Happy Crew on top at 8:30 am 2nd November 2016
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- Sherap Sherpa – Mal Haskins with Everest in the back Ground
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- The first Summit wave posing – as you do
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- Looking back up towards the summit as we descend
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- Andrew Bishop – Tamting Sherpa – exposed terrain with about 2000m of air to Andrews left
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- Janet Picket – On the slow appraoch to the Summit
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- Coming back to a warmer Camp 2 location
Of course – NONE of this would have been possible without the amazing tram of climbing Sherpa’s – a fantastic group of men – strong, motivated and always ready with a smile – Proud to have one again been working alongside of these men.
The Cholatse team enjoying the ‘glow’ of success in warm sun and being with good friends
