Alpine Ascents 2013 Expedition Begins Everest Summit Rotation

The Alpine Ascents 2013 Everest Expedition has arrived safely in Camp 2 after leaving early this morning on their Summit Rotation.  Our climbers rounded the Puja for the last time this morning at 4am.  They climbed past Camp 1 and straight to Camp 2 on the first day of this final rotation, an accomplishment made possible by increased acclimatization, training and familiarity with the once foreign and intimidating Khumbu Ice Fall...though many would say the Ice Fall is no less intimidating no mater how many times you have climbed through it, you just have a better idea of what to expect.

Garrett Madison offering rice at the Puja


It was a warm and cloudy morning at the start, but the sun quickly melted away the clouds once the day came. The team was safely though the Khumbu Ice Fall and past Camp 1 by the time the heat really kicked in.  It was showing 115 degrees here in my tent at Base Camp!!!   The Western Cwm can act like a mini oven at times, surrounded on three sides by icy slopes that reflect the sun and very little atmosphere to filter the solar radiation. Our Camp 2 cook, Ang Tshering, arranged for cold juice to be sent down to our climbers to combat the heat and help them comfortably finish off their climb today.

The Sun at Camp 2 with Pumori rising above Base Camp and the clouds.


Joe Kluberton