Everest 2010: No Everest Traverses in 2010.

Author: Alan Arnette.
Courtesy of www.alanarnette.com © reproduction prohibited without authorization

It seems the Chinese are playing havoc with the more ambitious Everest climbers this spring. Not content with a “simple” summit, several climbers wanted to do various forms of traversing Everest. This involves climbing from one side to the summit and then down to the other side’s base camp. Some climbers wanted to then return thus a double traverse.

It is now clear the Chinese are not issuing permits for such climbs probably based on their desire to keep a successful double traverse in reserve for a national climber.

However, not to be denied, two former Everest summiters, David Liano and Bill Burke, will be attempting what they call a double ascent this spring.  Bill posted this on his website:

My current plan is to complete a double ascent of Mt. Everest, which has also never been done: ascend and descend on the North side in Tibet, travel to Nepal and then ascend and descend on the South side. I will be joined by my good climbing friend from Mexico, 30-year old David Liano.  David is a highly accomplished mountaineer, having climbed the Seven Summits and summitted Mt. Everest twice from the South side. Mingma, who was my Sherpa last year, and is now part of my family, will be my Sherpa again this year on this unguided climb.

I have chosen to climb the North side first for three reasons: (1) if I am able to make only one summit (e.g., because of weather or fatigue), I want it to be on a North side climb since I have already climbed Everest from the South side, (2) generally Everest teams on the North side summit earlier in the season than teams on the South side and (3) I will be able to acclimatize on the North side without having to go through the deadly Khumbu Icefall three times (the North side does not have an icefall).

There had been two other traverse plans previously announced.  Gavin Turner who wanted to complete the never before accomplished double traverse and and another from Australian Andrew Lock, who has competed all 14 8000m summits. Andrew wanted to do traverse north to south without supplemental oxygen. This to be his last climb of his multi-year project. I have no official word from Andrew as to his plans but Gavin has now switched to Annapurna and still hopes to attempt the Double one day.

Bill and David will be climbing with Asian Trekking. I wish all these climbers the best of luck on all their efforts.

Climb On!

Alan

* Source : – Alan Arnette : 2010 Everest expeditions.

* Related Links :

– Change of plans.

– Everest 2010: China Says – “No Traverses For You!”.

* Previous story :

– Everest 2010: Still Searching For Andrew Irvine and that Damn Camera!

– Everest Clean-Up Above 8000m.

– Summit Day on Mt Everest – amazing video.

– Interview with Dave Hahn.

– The Deadly Side of Everest.

– The Conquest of Everest – 1953 style : amazing video.

– Everest 2010 season – Expeditions with any British Teams or Britons.

– Everest 2010: An Interview with Phil Crampton of Altitude Junkies.

– ExplorersWeb Year 2009 in Review: Farewell to friends.

– Alan Arnette’s Everest 2010 Coverage Begins, Double Traverse Announced!

– Everest Spring 2010 preview: Kaltenbrunner & Dujmovits.

– How Much Does It Cost To Climb Mt. Everest?

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