October 30, 2017
View from the summit of Lobuche (Justin Merle)
Great news from Lobuche Peak (20,075 ft) overnight! Harry and Dawa checked in to let us know that they reached the summit of Lobuche Peak. The Team started climbing at 4 am. It was clear and cold for at the start of the climb. This is a great climb! High Camp is a short distance from Lobuche Base Camp. It takes the team about an hour and a half of trekking to arrive to High Camp (17,300 ft). From High Camp, the Team bends around a small lake and onto the rock slabs. From the rock slabs, the Team works their way through the rocks and heads up a steep trough that we fix before arriving at Crampon Point. By now the sun is coming up and the views are fantastic. On the climbers right, they see the North Ridge of Ama Dablam and behind them, Kangtega. Up the fix lines, slow and steady the summit brings views of Everest, Lhotse and Makalu. Lower in the distance is Everest Base Camp. This is a great climb to get the big picture of the Himalayan Mountains!
Greg Vernovage