Jost Kobusch has been in the Dolpo region of midwestern Nepal this fall, preparing for another solo experience on winter Everest.
This year, the German climber teamed up with Nico Scheidtweiler. Kobusch wants to be in shape and acclimatized before moving to Everest for the beginning of calendar winter on December 21.
A few days ago, Kobusch attempted unclimbed 7,165m Chamar South in central Nepal. The main Chamar peak was first summited in 1953.
“I failed, but I learned a lot that I would have never learned if I hadn’t attempted it,” he wrote on social media. He tried several routes up the peak, but none proved feasible.
“The main goal these days, however, is to spend time at altitude, which is essential before Everest,” Kobush told ExplorersWeb. “I need to spend about two more weeks here in Dolpo, perhaps climb some 6,000’ers, and then slowly move toward the Khumbu, set up the logistics, and have some altitude time there as well.”
Pushing the limits
We asked what he learned from his recent attempt on Chamar South. Kobush said that the first thing was how satellite images and reality often don’t align. He also noted that we never hear about many interesting climbs because they don’t end in a summit.
“But if you really push your limits on a climb, options for success are always scarce unless you’re ready to take very, very high risks,” he said. “That I was not prepared to do.”
So far, Kobusch’s attempts on winter Everest have been about the experience and the process of being alone and functioning in challenging situations.
Most of Kobusch’s expeditions are a preparation for winter Everest, such as his solo of Denali last January. Photo: Jost Kobusch
