Mount Everest South Col Expeditions, a challenging feat of a lifetime experience, leads you to strenuous climb then inspires you with its grand scenery of mountains panorama from Khumbu Himal to Rongbuk side within Tibetan large plateau. Mt. Everest rise to an imposing 8,848.86 m /29,032 ft, after 29 years of numerous attempts, Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first people to stand on the elusive summit on May 29, 1953. Since then, the Everest South Col has seen over 1,000 ascents. It is by far, the most successfully climbed route on route to the mountain top.
Mt. Everest in Nepal known as Sagarmatha whereas Sherpa in Tibetan origin calls Chomolungma (Qomolangma), In both languages means "Goddess mother of the world". Mount Everest once went by the pedestrian name of Peak XV among westerners. Before surveyors established that it was the highest mountain on Earth, a fact that came as something of a surprise-Peak XV had seemed lost in the crowd of other formidable Himalayan peaks, many of which gave the illusion of greater height.
In 1852 the Great Trigonometrically Survey of India measured Everest's elevation as 29,002ft above sea level. This remarkably accurate figure remained the officially accepted height for more than one hundred years. In 1955 it was adjusted by a mere 26 feet to 29,028 (8,848m). Again in 2020 the height of Everest has been updated to 8,848.86m / 29,032ft after the survey expedition organized by Nepal Government.
The mountain received its official name in 1865 in honor of Sir George Everest, the British Surveyor General from 1830-1843 who had mapped the Indian subcontinent. He had some reservations about having his name bestowed on the peak, arguing that the mountain should retain its local appellation, the standard policy of geographical societies.
Mt. Everest South Col Expedition:
Mt. Everest South Col is technically difficult to climb so it is not a "guided" ascent. This expedition will be led by professional and competent mountaineers who have enough experience to climb one of the world's highest mountains.
To match toughness of High Mountain, it is recommended that the team members should be suitably experienced, reasonably self-sufficient and capable and willing to move between camps unsupervised to ensure hundred percent successes.
But it doesn't mean that you are not supported by Sherpa guides. To ensure your success, you will have a high level of support backed by strong, confident leadership. This will maximize your chances of success without undermining the quality of your achievement.
The Climb on to Mt. Everest South Col:
From base camp on Nepal side, the route to the summit can be divided into four separate sections:
The Khumbu Icefall,
The Western Cwm,
The Lhotse Face,
The Summit (South East) Ridge.
These distinct sections give the climb tremendous variety, although they do have their individual challenges and hazards. Being able to divide the mountain into four parts also has psychological benefits, enabling climbers to focus on each section and to measure their progress up the mountain more easily.
The Khumbu Icefall:
Before venturing into the Khumbu Icefall, members will be practiced in the specialist techniques of secure movement through complex ice terrain including ladder crossing and the use of fixed rope.
As soon as the route through the Icefall is prepared, we will be able to start carrying loads to camp 1.
All members will need to participate in the load carrying although this will be kept to a minimum. Our team of expert Sherpa will do the bulk of the load carrying in order to prevent members from burning themselves out too early.
The Western Cwm:
A normal course of events would be for everyone to reach camp 1 with a light load and then return to base camp. A day or two later, the team would occupy camp 1 and spend two or three nights there.
During the time, members may make a carry to camp 2, once the route has been prepared. Camp 2 is near the top of the Western Cwm and although this would not be fixed with ropes, members would need to be roped-up in case of hidden crevasses.
Following this, everyone would then return to base camp for a few days' rest.
The Lhotse Face:
The teams will then move up and occupy camp 2, which is in a spectacular position at the foot of the South West Face of Everest. Camp 2 is effectively an advance base camp and will be well stocked with supplies, including mess tent and cook tent. After spending two nights here, the team will make a light load carry to camp 3 on the Lhotse Face, at around 7,200m (23,600ft).
An ascent of Lhotse Face will give everyone a really good look at the climb and a flavor of things to come. We will then return to base camp for a prolonged rest while the Sherpa team and the expedition leaders prepare the top section of the climb.
This will be a real chance to recharge the batteries after a tough few weeks and to focus on the final ascent. During this phase, our past climbers have found it very beneficial to go all the way down to Pheriche, which at 4,300m (14,000ft) is low enough to recuperate fully.
The Summit (South East) Ridge:
When the weather is settled and calm, our team will move up, camp by camp, sleeping on oxygen at camp 3 and on the South Col, at camp 4. The summit day will start at around midnight, when, climbing on oxygen, we will set off with head torches from the South Col.
The route soon steepens as it ascends 500m (1,600ft) snow slope to reach a crest of the South East Ridge at around 8,400m (27,560ft) by dawn. The sun will bring with its great views across the Kangshung Face.
The ridge above this point starts easily and then steepens below the South Summit. Fixed ropes lead steeply for about 200m (650ft) from below the South Summit.
Standing on the South Summit the true summit looks very close but halfway between is the notorious Hillary Step which is a short, steep rock and snow groove about 10m (30ft) long. Strenuous jumaring and climb up this leads to the final easy ridge and the top, where you would expect to reach the summit by no later than 11a.m. For successful summiteers, it will be important for everyone to have left the summit by 12 o'clock noon for the descent. The entire team should be back before dark which comes rapidly at around 6:30 pm. The descent is extremely long and tiring and energy should be kept in reserve for this.
After spending another night sleeping with oxygen, the team will descend from camp IV, on the South Col, directly to reach camp 2 and then next day to base camp.
Safety and the Conduct of the Climb:
Although many people have now climbed Mt. Everest South Col, danger involved in climbing is always there. As strong wind poses great threat during the late afternoon, it is always advisable not to make any attempt in the afternoon.
Idea behind prevalent norms to make the climbing a great success without casualty, however, this will not be to the detriment of safety.
Safety will govern all decision making on the mountain and will be based on the sound mountaineering judgment of our highly experienced mountain guides. To support our guides on the mountain, we at Himalaya Expeditions (HimEx Nepal) will plan the expedition as thoroughly and carefully as possible using our own experience and knowledge of the mountain to maximum benefit.
Ultimately, the leader will have sole discretion on the implementation of any plan to climb the mountain and he will ensure that safety remains the prime consideration.
Apart from achieving self pride, the expedition is a part of enjoyment. So it will not be meaningful if anything happens to team member in course of competing to be on the top of mountain.
Whether you make on the top of mountain or not, you should cherish your memory that you spend together on the adverse condition of high Himalaya.
Highlights:
- Adventure on top Mt. Everest with sweeping panorama of Khumbu Himal and towards Rongbuk in Tibet.
- Scenic flights with array of snow capped mountain views during air-borne including Mt. Everest.
- Following the footsteps of legendry mountaineers late Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary.
- Adventurous walks towards Mt. Everest within remorseless fields of ice and glaciers.
