Team Resting at the Balcony

The team has made it to the balcony, nearly half way to the South Summit. They will take a bit of a break before heading up the snow line of the South East Ridge with the Khangshung face down on their right. It will take them several hours of climbing along the ridge before crossing some rock bands and reaching the South Summit. 

This picture is courtesy of Michael Horst which he took from Lhotse a few years ago while doing the Everest-Lhtose combo.  It clearly shows the route from South Col to the Summit. You can see that enormous Khangshung face on the right side of the South East Ridge. The Balcony is right were the ridgeline takes a left about half way up toward the South Summit, which is visible just before the true Everest Summit.

Joe Kluberton