22nd July we reached the summit of Pik Lenin, 7134m.
Now back for a few days rest in Osh and Bishkek before heading to Khan Tengri and Pik Pobeda.
22nd July we reached the summit of Pik Lenin, 7134m.
Now back for a few days rest in Osh and Bishkek before heading to Khan Tengri and Pik Pobeda.
Arriving in Bishkek the capital of Krygyzstan in a heatwave, 40C.
First stop Ibn Sina Peak popularly known as Pik Lenin, 7134m.
In a few days, I’ll be returning to Kathmandu. It will be the 3rd time I’ve led a group on Cho Oyu, 8201m. The 6th highest mountain in the world.
Last time we had a weather window and were lucky with great views from the summit.
You can follow progress on the following links –
https://www.instagram.com/seanjdjames/
and
http://www.jagged-globe.co.uk/news/
Thanks to Thuraya and CygnusTelecom in Dubai for supporting all communications with an XT Pro satphone and IP+
The steep climb to the North Col.
This is the first technical piece of climbing on #everest.
A 400m steep ice and snow slope that finishes at camp 1, #northcol, 7000m.
It is equipped with fixed ropes and requires a #jumar – a mechanical device that fixes from your harness to the rope to stop you slipping.
Large numbers of “climbers” on a single rope can cause delays and getting cold is a serious problem.
Although a part of climbing, many people on Everest are inexperienced in moving up and down fixed lines, relying on their #sherpas to clip them in and manage the change overs at anchors.
A great lengthy article in the Guardian recently tried to describe the current Everest season antics.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/12/mount-everest-sherpa-disaster-one-year-on
It was snowing when we woke up. The group set off after breakfast from Tingri in Tibet to hike up to a hill above the town at about 5000m.
The weather was changeable and cloudy all day so Everest has not revealed itself yet.
Tomorrow we will hopefully travel on to Basecamp if our bags and gear manage to get across the border and find us.
On an Everest expedition there is always lots of time free.
Team members find many different ways to amuse themselves: Reading, writing, growing strange facial hair, discussing the Bristol Stool Scale, making rock sculptures, listening to music…
Here ex-headmaster Andy is restimulating his interest in art. Kept company by a local cat, he will have a fine collection by the end of the 2 months.
A final hike in the Hajar mountains before Everest
Download the complete route information from this link and follow the expedition
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0zkc2zcossjn504/Everest%20North.kmz?dl=0
.kmz can be opened with Google Earth