Our first summit wave is underway. Climbers, guides, and Sherpa left South Col just after 7pm local time on May 14th.
The first wave consists of the following climbers:
- Terry S. with guide Dawa Yolmo
- Robert A. with guide Pa Dawa
- Sam & Emma S. with guide Tendi Sherpa
- Michael K. with guide Dorjee
- Western Guided Team: Andrew K., Wells L., Nick S., and Lauren H. with guides Nani and Abiral
With no crowds, these teams will climb through the night, aiming for an early summit window while winds are lower.
We wanted to include a personal note from CTSS co-owner Caroline Pemberton, who understands first-hand the ins and outs of waiting for updates from the mountain.
“We wish your climbers and loved ones the very best of luck. As counterintuitive as it feels, remember that no news is good news. Today is a long day, and GPS trackers can succumb to the cold and go offline. As a mountaineer’s wife, a mum, and a sister to a current summit climber, I relate that this is such a nerve-wracking time for us at home, and the temptation to hit refresh over and over is huge. BUT it is best to expect to hear very little and try to stay busy and positive. The teams will check in over the radio to Everest Base Camp consistently. However, they will also conserve battery life for emergencies, so they will only check in when absolutely necessary and in short bursts. It is common not to hear any news following summits until safely back at the South Col. In fact, the less we hear, the better. Know that I’m in your corner!”
Below these climbers, sleeping at Camp 2, we have:
- Jocelyn C. and guide Ashish
- Alyssa L. and guide Phuunjo
- Varun R. and guide Thunang
They will look to move up to Camp 3 on May 15th or 16th.
The Bouka family, with cinematographers Rex P. and Louis J. and guides Edgar P., Tim M., Lam B., and Migma D., are at Camp 1 after successfully moving from Everest Base Camp. Alongside the Bouka’s are Western Guided Team climbers Anna K., Ilknur C., Nicolas B., and guides Mike B. and Sajjan G.; they will look to collectively move to Camp 2 tomorrow.
We have one final team leaving Everest Base Camp tonight, private climbers Andrea G. and guide Robert J., who will move to Camp 1.
Wondering what it feels like setting out (at night) for your Everest summit bid? Here are a few photos from CTSS staff photographer Griffin Kerwin of just that.
