Yesterday, a heavy snowstorm hit Everest Base Camp. Photo by Special Correspondent Zou Jin
Special report from Everest Base Camp (Special Correspondent Zou Jin) Good news came from Everest yesterday — the road crew from Shengshan Company has successfully cleared the path to the Advance Base Camp at an altitude of 8,300m.
The Advance Base Camp is the highest camp on Everest and also the launch point for summit attempts. Previously, due to severe weather conditions on Everest — particularly strong winds — Shengshan Company made four attempts but was blocked each time before reaching Camp 7790.
On the 6th, the mountaineering team from China University of Geosciences wrapped up their rest period and returned to Base Camp. That same day, the road crew from Shengshan Company resumed their push upward and finally seized a favorable weather window, clearing the climbing route from Camp C1 (7,028m) to the Advance Base Camp yesterday.
"This is really great news and holds special significance for our Everest climb," said Ciluo, leader of the China University of Geosciences climbing team. "Only after the path to 8,300m is cleared, and then the route to the summit, can our summit plan be truly put into action."
This year, weather conditions on Everest have been highly unusual. On the southern slope (Nepal), temperatures are higher than usual, with frequent avalanches and falling rocks. Two Sherpas have died and one is critically injured; there have been incidents almost daily. In light of this, "Prince of the Himalayas" Russell recently decided to cancel the ongoing Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse climbing expeditions. As a result, dozens of climbers have been affected.
Meanwhile, temperatures on the northern slope have been colder than normal, and strong winds have frequently battered the area. It is reported that over a hundred climbers from various countries are currently waiting at the Advance Base Camp, hoping for the climbing route to Everest to be cleared.
Yesterday, a heavy snowstorm hit Everest Base Camp. Photo by Special Correspondent Zou Jin