Kilian Jornet Abandons Everest Autumn Attempt

Some of the world’s best climbers were hoping to reach the summit of Everest this autumn, but heavy snowfall and dangerous conditions has sent everyone packing.

“All climbers today gave up their attempts to climb Mt Everest and Mt Lhotse in the autumn season,” Iswari Paudel, Managing Director at Himalayan Guides said. Spanish climber Kilian Jornet reached around 8,300 metres but decided to bail on his final summit push.

Earlier in the fall, Polish climber and skier Andrzej Leszek Bargiel, along with a team from Mountain Hardwear, Garrett Madison, Zac Bookman and Kristin Bennett, abandoned their expeditions due to safety concerns. A large serac over the Khumbu Icefall threatened their route.

With the Mountain Hardwear team was company’s president Joe Vernachio, Tim Emmett and Polish climber Rafal Maciej Fronia, along with their filming crew. “All climbers, who are now at Lukla, have been waiting for fair weather to fly back to Kathmandu,” said Paudel.

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This last month I had been in Khumbu valley??spending time with my family, training and climbing. Maj had discover those mountains and culture that @tinaemelie and I love so much. The weather has been very challenging with lots of snow and precipitation. I had some climbing projects in mind, depending conditions and time, at the end none of them had been possible for different reasons, but I did really enjoy those mountains despite the bad weather. Last days I could do a light attempt up to around 8300m in a variant of the polish 80’s route in Everest before turning back due to avalanche conditions. Even if it hasn’t been any summit, the experience of a very light expedition, being alone in the mountain and able to check some cool possibilities has been a very interesting and a powerful experience. . It was also very nice to share some meals and talk with other climbers @garrettmadison1 , @andrzejbargiel and team and the @polskihimalaizmzimowy guys! . Now back to lower mountains with plenty of ideas and motivation for the future! ? . Thanks @lymbus_life @carlos_llerandi @philippreiter007 for the fun! ?

A post shared by Kilian Jornet (@kilianjornet) on Oct 6, 2019 at 4:02am PDT

Jornet was also hoping to attempt Lhotse. Many climbers thought Jornet was returning to set another record on Everest. Before the visit, his media team said he would release his goals only if and once they were achieved.

This spring, there was a record number of people attempting Everest with very few experienced guides. As a result, 11 climbers lost their lives.

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Home sweet home for the last couple of weeks at EBC ! I’m blown away once again by all your support, thank you for all your comments, it means so much. Hundreds of messages with an overwhelming view that we made the right call, wow ! It’s amazing what can happen when you leave your ego at home or in the tent ?. Without doubt the biggest thing for me is that I don’t feel guilty for sending the Sherpas into the icefall, over and over again. If something had happened to them it would have stayed with me for ever. While I sit here on a train to Hong Kong, if feels good to have a clean conscience. Those guys are amazing, such talented mountaineers, so humble and willing to risk their lives for the clients that pursue their dreams and reach the summit of Everest. With a serac like that, not on my watch. Until the next time ? I can’t wait for a rematch…. watch this space @mhweverest2019 @mountainhardwear #sherpa #mountaineering #everest #dreams @scarpa_uk @nomadnutritionco @joe_vernachio @petzl_official

A post shared by Tim Emmett (@timemmett) on Sep 24, 2019 at 7:32pm PDT