Yesterday, Climbing the Seven Summits hosted a meeting at our Everest Base Camp with leaders from other climbing teams and local organizations. This meeting was organized and led by the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) and their Icefall Doctors to address the impasse in the Khumbu Icefall.

The SPCC is a Nepalese non-profit, responsible for environmental management, waste control, and infrastructure in the Khumbu region, including the icefall. Every year, they hire a specialized team of Sherpas, the Icefall Doctors, who establish, maintain, and secure the route through the Khumbu Icefall with ladders and ropes.

A team of more than 20 Sherpa Icefall Doctors, the Expedition Operators Association Nepal (EOA-Nepal), and other climbing teams, including CTSS, went up to assess the route and explore options. They all turned back, agreeing that the route above was still too dangerous.

Another smaller independent team did make it above this section, but it remains to be seen whether their route is reasonable for sending hundreds of climbers through. The Icefall Doctors will head back up tomorrow to assess this route and keep an eye on the condition of the seracs.

Here at CTSS, we are inspired to see the entire Everest community coming together to work towards a common goal and find solutions.

Images provided by CTSS Founder and Expedition Leader Mike Hamill