Today marks both Everest Day — the anniversary of the first ascent in 1953 — and also the official end of the climbing season. However, at least four climbers — two Americans, one Nepalese, and British BASE jumper Josh Bregmen — are still at Camp 2, although the Khumbu Icefall was supposed to close today.
Three of these climbers (the Americans and one Sherpa) are part of the SummitClimb team. They reached Camp 2 (6,400m) after at least five days at or above 8,000m.
Health issues
The SummitClimb team climbed up to Camp 4 between May 24 and May 25. From there, they launched summit pushes on May 26-27. Climbers at South Col reported at the time that two SummitClimb members had attempted to reach the top during the night of May 25-26, despite bad weather.
They finally turned around, but by the time they reached Camp 4, at least one of them had some kind of eye problem, possibly snowblindness. SummitClimb leader Dan Mazur did report that a climber and a Sherpa were “not feeling well” on May 27. It is unclear whether these two are among the ones now in Camp 2.
This morning, Mazur posted the following message on Facebook:
Happy Everest Day to Everyone! All of our members and Sherpas are now returned down safe to C2.
Later, he added this update:
Having opted out of hiking down through the Khumbu icefall, two of our foreign climbers and one of our climbing Sherpas are now in C2, waiting for helicopters. The helis could not reach C2 today due to clouds interfering with visibility. It’s nearly dark here now, so fingers crossed for a flight tomorrow morning.
Icefall closure
It is unclear whether the airlift from Camp 2 is due to a medical emergency or a logistical issue. According to previous reports, the Icefall Doctors planned to dismantle the route across the Khumbu Icefall today. We have tried to contact the SPCC (Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee), which oversees the Ice Doctors, but have received no reply yet.
Nima Tashi Sherpa, working with 14 Peaks Expeditions, posted a video as he flew out of Base Camp (which must have had good enough visibility for the helicopters). He mentioned that the Icefall will close today, but we are waiting for confirmation:
Grounded BASE jumper
The team of BASE jumper Josh Bregmen posted on social media that he summited Everest on May 27, but there is no news of him jumping from anywhere on the mountain. Sources have told ExplorersWeb that he is now in Camp 2. It remains to be seen how he will return to Base Camp if the route across the Icefall closes, unless he catches a ride on one of the increasingly common helicopter flights from Camp 2.
No-O2 climber Saulius Damulevicius of Lithuania was helped down from Camp 3 yesterday and airlifted to Kathmandu with suspected HAPE. He left the hospital today.
First ascent anniversary
Meanwhile in Kathmandu, recent summiters are celebrating Everest Day, which commemorates the 73rd anniversary of the first ascent by Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary. Festivities included a sport climbing competition, several lectures and conferences, and themed parties at several clubs in town.
