September 23, 2011
Caption: Satellite weather photo for September 23, 2011 (courtesy Gov of Nepal Meteorological Forecasting Division)
Ang Jangbu reports that the Korean team fixed above Camp 3 today and went on to reach the summit of Cho Oyu, so that is good news, the route is open to the top! Five IMG sherpas slept at Camp 1 last night and are carrying to Camp 3 today. Walter, Heidi, Alois and Karma Rita are moving to Camp 1 today and will be shooting for the summit on the 26th. The rest of the IMG Cho Oyu team will move to Camp 1 tomorrow and will shoot to summit on the 27th.
Mike Hamill, and the Shishapangma team, reports that they are also launching their summit bid, and are also shooting for the 26th. So, we’ll be watching the weather closely over the next few days. Our IMG weather forecaster Michael Fagin, of www.everestweather.com, reports that right now there is a strong low pressure to the south, down in India, that continues to pump some moisture (and snow) up into the Himalayas. However, this system is supposed to keep moving to the east over the next few days, and once it departs the area the weather looks to be improving (we hope!).
Eric Simonson