Updates from Everest Base Camp

April 4, 2021

Looking towards Lhotse Face from Camp 2 (Sherpa Fura)

Ang Jangbu got a call through this morning from Everest Base Camp to let us know the internet is up and running and all is well up and down the valley.  Dawa Tenzing and Sherpa Fura had a great day climbing to Camp 2 yesterday to secure our campsites and recon the Icefall, Western Cwm and Lhotse Face.   They report that the Icefall is in good shape with a number of twists and turns as usual, but that it has (get ready for this) only ONE ladder right now.  “Can you believe that?!”  It is early in the season and we all know the Icefall will do a bit of adjusting and route changing as the season continues but having only one ladder is pretty remarkable.

IMG Senior Guide Karma Rita Sherpa (Greg Vernovage)

Ang Jangbu says that IMG’s 2021 Everest Base Camp is looking good and is all ready for the arrival of Team 1.  A big shout out to the Advanced Team under the leadership of Senior Guide Karma Rita Sherpa for all of their hard work getting the camp prepared!

Back down at Lobuche Base Camp, Team 1 took a trek today partway up to High Camp on Lobuche for additional acclimatization, and 5 of our guides  continued all the way to High Camp to evaluate the conditions and check the water source.  Everything looks good for the climb of Lobuche Peak in a few days, after the climbers first visit Everest Base Camp.

Looking up valley from Pheriche with Cholatse (left) and Lobuche (right) (Sonam Dorje Sherpa)

Team 2, led by Senior Guide Kevin Kayl pulled into Pheriche in excellent form and will settle in for a couple nights of acclimatization.  Tomorrow the team will take a hike up the hill behind Pheriche to get a better look at Lobuche Peak and Dingboche, which is just over the hill.  They will also say hello to the medical team at the Pheriche HRA clinic and hear more about acclimatization.

All is well in the Khumbu Valley and on Mount Everest!

Greg Vernovage