EVEREST EXPEDITION ( NORTH)

EVEREST EXPEDITION ( NORTH)

Do you have nerves of steel?

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to scale the world’s highest mountain (8848m/ 29,028ft) via the North Face. Everest tops the list of all serious high altitude climbers. This is truly as high as you can go anywhere in the world. Why the north face? It is said to be technically more difficult due to the amount of time spent at higher altitudes and is far less crowded during the climbing season. The South route has the notorious Khumbu Glacier, but despite this, the North Face is still technically more challenging. The North Face of Everest, or Sagamartha in Nepali, is reached from within Tibet, whereas the southern access is from Nepal. This expedition will give you all the climbing experience a climber would expect before climbing such a colossal peak. You will spend days acclimatizing and will practice climbing to higher camps and returning, all the while eliminating the possible danger of altitude sickness. This is a major reason for many failed attempts on Everest – not being properly acclimatized.

Everest was first referred to as Peak XV and was later named Mt. Everest after the lead surveyor Sir George Everest who surveyed the mountain in 1856. It wasn’t until May 25, 1960, that New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepali, Sherpa Tenzing Norgay finally reached the summit via the south route. The first summit via the north route was accomplished by a group of Chinese climbers.

The ascent from the north side, in Tibet, is considered more stunning as you climb 3,000m from the Rongbuk Glacier below on the Tibetan Plateau. As with all climbing expeditions, there is a journey that is said to be as important as the destination. In this case, you will be exposed to the pure Buddhist Tibetan traditions in the region. Your guides will be Sherpas, whose faith is deeply rooted in Buddhism. Sherpas will do “puja”(prayers) prior to any ascent of a mountain. Their faith and strength are unparalleled when it comes to climbing. No one does it better!

The Mount Everest Expedition is without a doubt a once in a lifetime opportunity. However, there are inherent dangers in climbing Everest, such as previously mentioned, altitude sickness, as well as severe weather conditions and avalanches. Anyone considering this climb should have several 600m or 7000m climbs under their belt. You must be familiar with all aspects of using the equipment of high altitude expeditions. You will also need to be extremely fit, both physically and mentally. Prior to heading to Everest, it is advised that you strengthen your cardiovascular system and physical strength. At these high altitudes, oxygen levels drop around 60-70 percent compared to sea level. You will also be required to carry a large pack containing oxygen and other equipment.

The Base Camp is situated below the Rongbuk Monastery in Tibet. A 20 km trek from here takes you to the Advanced Base Camp (ABC) situated on the rough and uneven ground exposed to high winds. The climb from ABC to East Rongbuk Glacier takes you across snow-laden slopes to the North Col where Camp 1 is located between Everest and Changtse. Crossing another long snowy slope takes you to Camp II. The climb from camp II to camp III is exposed to extreme weather and can be dangerous. It is mostly rock, and a mistake here can be lethal. There are fixed ropes to assist and minimize danger. Once you reach Camp III you will notice a decrease in oxygen levels. Leaving Camp III you may feel the need for oxygen as you head across rocky terrain to Camp IV using fixed ropes. Camp IV is a relatively small camp where we will not linger before heading to the North East Ridge where you face the first challenging obstacle, known as the first step – rock structure close 30 meters high requiring a steep climb before facing the second step, a 40m rock structure and probably the greatest challenge on the way to the summit. Again you will climb until you reach the third step of 25m, considered to be the easiest of the three steps. You will finally reach the summit from where you will look down on the world and have an enormous and overwhelming sense of achievement – unlike anything else you have done in your life.

Sherpa Expedition and Trekking’s Sherpa guides (well known for their climbing skills) will do everything within their power to lead you safely to the summit. Our guides are government certified and experienced climbers. We take no chances with your well-being and hence have allowed several days to make up for unforeseen circumstances, such as adjusting to higher altitudes and the possibility of altitude sickness.