Jost Kobusch has already met his expedition goal on his first push up the mountain. Last night, his tracker put him at 7,488m, roughly the highest point ever reached on Everest’s West Ridge in winter.
Before Kobusch, Vincent Fine and Benoit Chamoux of France also reached 7,500m on Everest’s West Ridge on Jan. 16, 1984.
This also marks the highest altitude Kobusch has reached on winter Everest during his three solo attempts. His previous highest point was 7,366m in 2021-22.
Night climb
The German had hoped to get a good look at the Hornbein Couloir from 7,500m, but that will have to wait. According to his tracking device, Kobusch reached his highest point when it was already dark — at 7pm Nepal time. He then turned around and retraced his steps through the night until he finally stopped for some hours at 6,700m.
Today, he has continued down and is currently at 6,000m. That is approximately at the Lho La, where Kobusch may have pitched a tent.
We expect more news after he rests at the col or returns to Base Camp. But he can already consider his expedition successful.
