Everest 2016: Snap Chat and Icefall Doctors Fix Ropes to Camp Two

The icefall doctors of Mount Everest have completed the construction of a new route between base camp and camp two along the Khumbu Icefall. Nearly 280 climbers from 38 countries have registered to climb the peak, so far.

“We have constructed a route starting from base camp to camp two by placing 23 aluminium ladders and ropes along the icefall section,” ice fall doctor Gelje Sherpa said.

In total, eight icefall doctors were hired to compete the task of navigating the serac-ridden icefall. Climbers are charge over 500  U.S. dollars to use the route

The Khumbu route is used by climbers attempting Mounts Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse.  It total, about 385 climbers will use the route this year.

The tourism department has issued permits to 32 expeditions on Everest for the spring 2016 season, nine for Lhotse and five for Nuptse. Over 500 support staff will be heading to base camp over the next few months.

Only one Nepali climber has been issued a permit to climb Everest this year, Anish Luitel.

The number of climbers and trekkers heading to the area this year is down from previous. In 2015, an earthquake in Nepal killed over 8,000 people and forced the closure of Everest as the quake sent deadly avalanches onto basecamp. In 2014, large avalanches fell onto the Khumbu and killed 16 Sherpas.

On another note, Adrian Ballinger and Cory Richards are climbing Everest this spring and will be Snap Chatting the whole ascent. Ballinger has summited Evered six times with Oxygen and Richards has climbed Lhotse and Gasherbrum II without oxygen.

Over 40 per cent of the climbers heading to Everest this year are using their permits from 2014 or 2015. Be sure to follow Alan Arnette’s blog for weekly updates from Everest.

The two pro climbers will be uploading videos and photos from the north side of Everest. As Ballinger said, “Snaps—unlike posts to Instagram or Facebook—must be posted immediately from a phone’s camera. If we’re successful, you’ll have a complete chronicle of our journey.

“Ultimately what we want is a positive future for Everest and for those who work and recreate on the mountain. Getting there will require thought, discussion, and effort from everyone involved. We hope our story can help to illuminate some of the issues, and possible solutions.”

Read more about their Snap Chatting here. Follow them @EverestNoFilter and Richard’s @crichardsphoto and Ballinger @adrianjb.