SUMMIT!!!!!!!

All climbers who left the South Col late last night have now summited the highest mountain in the world!!!

Michael Grigsby, Adriaan Wessels, Bernardo Gonzalez, Woody Bailey, Scott DeRue, Gosia Borchardt, Martin Grieder, John Lowry, and Raha Moharrak all arrived at the Summit of Mt. Everest by 8:00am May 18th 2013!!!  They were led to the top of the world by Alpine Ascents Expedition Leader Garrett Madison and his team of expert guides; Lakpa Rita Sherpa, Ben Jones, and Brien Sheedy.  We could not have done it without our amazing Summit Sherpa;  Karma Sarke, Ningma Tshering, Mingma Dorjee, Passang Tsheri, Da Nuru, Ang Passang, Lakpa Sona, Passang Tendi, Ang Norbu, Mingma Tensing, and Pemba Tenzing.

All told, Alpine Ascents 2013 Everest Expedition has put 24 members on the Summit today.  This makes 26 summits on the season counting our Sherpa on the Summit Fixing team earlier this year, Kami Rita Sherpa and Fura Kancha Sherpa.  We have many more Summits to come as our team Arabs With Altitude make there way to the summit over the next few days.  We also have a few climbers leaving for the Summit of Lhotse tonight to join just a handful of people whom have made the summit of two 8,000 meter peaks in under 24 hours. 

As always I like to thank everyone that has helped us reach the summit. Everest is not climbed by any one individual, we have a huge support team here in Base Camp and around the world that make it possible for our climbers to be where they are now. Most of all we want to give thanks to all the friends and family that have supported us for the last 2 months. You have been with us every step of the way and we could not be here without you. Thank You!!

The team has now started their descent back to the South Col.  Let's wish the team a safe trip down the mountain.  I will continue to send updates on their progress as our climbers start making their way back home.

Here is a picture looking toward the South Col and Lhotse from the Summit of Everest courtesy of Michael Horst