Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Advanced Base Camp

At 21,000 feet Kyle is at Advanced Base Camp to make his first trip to the North Col. Pictured is what is known as "the headwall". You can't see it in the picture but the North Col is at the top of the headwall at about 23,000 feet. The headwall is a challenging climb with some very steep sections. There are ladders fixed over crevasses and there is always the hazard of an avalanche. Passing other slower climbers on the headwall can be difficult because it requires unclipping yourself from the fixed lines and trying to get around them on the steep and icy terrain.

This is also the first time during the climb that crampons are used, and they will be needed from this point on. Kyle will climb the headwall 3 times during the expedition and each time it will become easier as his body will be acclimated to a higher altitude.


This is a picture of Everest on the trek to Advanced Base Camp. If you enlarge the picture you can see the summit with a snow plume blowing from the top. ABC is still a couple miles from this point.

The trek to ABC is full of amazing scenery including awesome glacial features. In this photo, yaks are taking a well deserved break.
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2 comments:

  1. gatorguyApril 28, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    Such beauty and magnificance!! Stay safe, Son. We pray for your success!! Love you. Dad

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  2. donMay 6, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    Hiya Jim, Pete here, watching and reading all. As a one time, and too old mountaineer now, I can only dream of this great adventure. The grandure of it all and the excellent pictures are awesome. I also know that summiting is only half the battle; getting back down in one piece is the more important half. God bless Kyle and know he is in our prayers. By the way, I hope Kyle's climbing is better than your shooting of phesants!! Ha, just had to throw that in.

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