Spring 2016 | Annapurna Summit Push Update and Other Eight-Thousanders Round Up
Annapurna is the focal point of climbing action at the moment where climbers launched the long-awaited summit push, yesterday. Teams on other eight-thousander peaks have majorly been trekking and acclimatizing enroute to respective Base Camps.
Annapurna Update
Summit push is underway on Annapurna. Rope-fixing Sherpa and some climbers were expected to go up from C2 to C3 today. Behind them, second group of climbers ascended to C2. “Checking in safely from C2. 3.5hrs. Even got to break trail for a while. Blue bird day till now, snow and clouds. Expect C3 to take 8-9hrs.” American climber Matt Du Puy messaged this afternoon.
Finally, Spaniard Carlos Soria decided to delay departure from BC for a day. The team went up to C1 this morning.
Everest Southside and Lhotse
Route fixing through Icefall has been completed as Sherpa foray up towards C2. Apart from carrying first loads, the teams want to check the status of material deposited there a year ago, after earthquake.
Several climbers have arrived at Base Camp, while others are still trekking. On the whole, there will be around 300 climbers on Everest Southside and approximately 50-100 on Lhotse this season. There hasn’t been a dreadful drop in figures as some predicted before start of the season.
Everest Northside and Tibetan Eight-Thousanders
After a typical yes-no and no-yes saga, Chinese authorizes have formally issued climbing permits for Everest Northside, Cho Oyu and Shisha Pangma. They are welcoming the teams in Lhasa, Tibetan capital. The road link between Nepal and Tibet hasn’t been opened since earthquake. CTMA will facilitate transportation of climbers from Lhasa to respective Base Camps.
Shisha Pangma new route climbers, Ueli Steck and David Gottler, are back in Namache Bazar after an extensive acclimatization and training session in Chukung. Kobler-Partner Shisha Pangma and Cho Oyu team has been waiting for permits in Chongqing. They are now traveling to Lhasa. A five member French team is currently busy in making arrangements for Shisha Pangma attempt. Majority of Cho Oyu climbers will also be flying to Lhasa this week.
Manaslu
Two teams headed out from Samagaun to Manaslu BC, today. Dutch Korps Mariniers team will be on normal route, whereas Peter Hamor, Horia Colibasanu and Michal Gabriš will attempt North Ridge after acclimatization on normal route.
Dhaulagiri
Climbers haven’t reached Dhaulagiri proper BC yet, as they trek and acclimatize on other peaks. British Joint Services expedition, with additional objective of high altitude medical research, is currently in Hidden Valley (5100m). They will attempt Thapa (Dhampus) Peak (6012m) and Tukche Ri (6920m) before moving to Dhaulagiri.
On other side, Indian team have reached Italian BC (at 3600m). They will stay here for a couple of nights before proceeding to actual BC. Spanish climbers Juanito Oiarzabal and Alberto Zerain are currently acclimatizing in Khumbu Valley.
Makalu
Makalu teams intended to fly to Tumlingtar yesterday, but flight was cancelled due to bad weather in Eastern Nepal city. Climbers thus opted for a 24 hours bus drive to Tumlingtar, from where they will start the BC trek in coming days.
Annapurna Update
Summit push is underway on Annapurna. Rope-fixing Sherpa and some climbers were expected to go up from C2 to C3 today. Behind them, second group of climbers ascended to C2. “Checking in safely from C2. 3.5hrs. Even got to break trail for a while. Blue bird day till now, snow and clouds. Expect C3 to take 8-9hrs.” American climber Matt Du Puy messaged this afternoon.
Finally, Spaniard Carlos Soria decided to delay departure from BC for a day. The team went up to C1 this morning.
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| Annapurna as seen from BC today; clear but windy. Source |
Everest Southside and Lhotse
Route fixing through Icefall has been completed as Sherpa foray up towards C2. Apart from carrying first loads, the teams want to check the status of material deposited there a year ago, after earthquake.
Several climbers have arrived at Base Camp, while others are still trekking. On the whole, there will be around 300 climbers on Everest Southside and approximately 50-100 on Lhotse this season. There hasn’t been a dreadful drop in figures as some predicted before start of the season.
Everest Northside and Tibetan Eight-Thousanders
After a typical yes-no and no-yes saga, Chinese authorizes have formally issued climbing permits for Everest Northside, Cho Oyu and Shisha Pangma. They are welcoming the teams in Lhasa, Tibetan capital. The road link between Nepal and Tibet hasn’t been opened since earthquake. CTMA will facilitate transportation of climbers from Lhasa to respective Base Camps.
Shisha Pangma new route climbers, Ueli Steck and David Gottler, are back in Namache Bazar after an extensive acclimatization and training session in Chukung. Kobler-Partner Shisha Pangma and Cho Oyu team has been waiting for permits in Chongqing. They are now traveling to Lhasa. A five member French team is currently busy in making arrangements for Shisha Pangma attempt. Majority of Cho Oyu climbers will also be flying to Lhasa this week.
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| David Gottler sprinting from Chukung to Namche via Kongma La, Cho La and Renjo La; 60km in 12hrs 46min with Ueli Steck; Source |
Manaslu
Two teams headed out from Samagaun to Manaslu BC, today. Dutch Korps Mariniers team will be on normal route, whereas Peter Hamor, Horia Colibasanu and Michal Gabriš will attempt North Ridge after acclimatization on normal route.
Dhaulagiri
Climbers haven’t reached Dhaulagiri proper BC yet, as they trek and acclimatize on other peaks. British Joint Services expedition, with additional objective of high altitude medical research, is currently in Hidden Valley (5100m). They will attempt Thapa (Dhampus) Peak (6012m) and Tukche Ri (6920m) before moving to Dhaulagiri.
On other side, Indian team have reached Italian BC (at 3600m). They will stay here for a couple of nights before proceeding to actual BC. Spanish climbers Juanito Oiarzabal and Alberto Zerain are currently acclimatizing in Khumbu Valley.
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| British Joint Services BC in Hidden Valley; Source |
Makalu
Makalu teams intended to fly to Tumlingtar yesterday, but flight was cancelled due to bad weather in Eastern Nepal city. Climbers thus opted for a 24 hours bus drive to Tumlingtar, from where they will start the BC trek in coming days.
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