10 Big 2018 Himalayan Expeditions Including Canadians

The 2018 Himalayan climbing season has started with a number of climbers already setting off to their planned destinations.
There are over 50 major expeditions this year with attempts on Shishapangma, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Dhaulagiri and Cho Oyu.
The oldest climber attempting Everest this year will be Funahashi Eiko at 79 and the youngest being Shivangi Pathak at 16.
Below are 10 expeditions that could have significant outcomes if everything works out.
Don Bowie on Kanchenjunga
Canadian Don Bowie is hoping to climb the 8,586-metre Kanchenjunga without supplemental oxygen.
Bowie has already reached 7,000 metres and conditions are looking good for his objective.
Quebec Climbers on K2
Nathalie Fortin, Benoît Lamoureux, Serge Dessureault and Maurice Beauséjour from Quebec are hoping to become the first climbers from Quebec to reach the summit of K2, the world’s second highest mountain.
They’ll be heading to the Himalayas this summer for an attempt on the Abruzzi Ridge.
Top Canadian Alpinists
Alpine climbers Raphael Slawinski, Alik Berg and Chris Brazeau will be heading to the Himalayas this summer to attempt big new lines.
Their exact objectives will depend on what permits they receive.
Carlos Soria on Dhaulagiri
At 79, Carlos Soria will make his ninth attempt after nearly reaching the summit last year.
To date, he has climbed 12 of the 14 eight-thousanders and only has Shishapangma and Dhaulagiri left.
New Everest Route
Horia Colibasanu and Peter Hamor are hoping to climb a new route without bottled oxygen via the West Ridge of Everest and linking it with Lhotse along a traverse.
Tenji Sherpa Returns
Tenji Sherpa was meant to complete the Everest to Lhotse crossing with Ueli Steck last year.
He intends to return this year to complete the climb in the same style Steck wanted before he died falling from Nuptse.
Lhakpa Sherpa on Everest
At 44, Lhakpa Sherpa is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the woman with the most Everest ascents.
This year she’s hoping to break her own record with a ninth summit.
Xia Boyu on Everest
At 70 years old, double-leg amputee Xia Boyu is making his sixth attempt at climbing Everest.
The Nepalese courts recently denied a new rule prohibiting blind and amputee climbers from attempting Everest, which means Boyu will be heading back up this season.
Bulgarian Boyan Petrov
Bulgarian mountaineer was the first from Bulgaria to climb four of the eight-thousanders and has climbed 10 in total.
This year he hopes to climb Everest, Shishapangma and Cho Oyu.
Kami Rita Sherpa
Kami Rita Sherpa is working with Seven Summit Treks and currently shares the record with 21 Everest summits.
If he reaches the top this year, he’ll be the sole record holder.