원정 개요

David Graham (email) - 28 Nov 2012

Oct 13 Thuli Kharka 4300m
Oct 14 Khote 3700m
Oct 15 Tangnag 4350m
Oct 16 Khare 4900m
Oct 17 Khare
Oct 18 Kongma Dingma 4800m
Oct 19 Kongma Dingma
Oct 20 Seto Pokhari 5000m
Oct 21 Seto Pokhari (some weather and altitude delays)
Oct 22 Baruntse BC 5350m
Oct 23-26 Day hikes, rope practice, prep for climb at Baruntse BC
Oct 27 Baruntse Camp 1 Above West Col 6100m
Oct 28 Day hike, West Col camp
Oct 29 Camp 2 6400m
Oct 30 Michael Brownsdon and Pema Sherpa reach south summit 7000m, return
to West Col camp 6100m
Oct 31 Return to Baruntse BC
Nov 01 Prep to leave BC
Nov 02 depart Baruntse BC, camp just below Amphu Labsta 5700m
Nov 03 cross Amphu Labsta to Chhukung
Nov 04-09 Trek out via Kongma La, Lobuche-Gorak Shep, Periche, Namche etc.
(took our time waiting for weather at Lukla to clear)

Sherpas: Saila Sherpa and Pema Sherpa (the same Pema as for Pethangtse).

Michael Brownsdon and Pema reached the south summit at approx. 7000m. Alex and I hiked a short distance above high camp. Alex was suffering from the effects of alttitude. I was suffering from a sinus infection that sapped my energy.

No climbing parties had progressed above the south summit in the fall climbing season. Our party was too small to put in the required fixed ropes to put the route in. Pema and Michael found poor snow conditions at 7000m such that anchors could not be placed with any sense of security. One other experienced climber on the route said "you can put in anchors but it's only in your imagination that they will hold you." It would have taken some exploration of route options at 7000m. Our team decided to take the safer option and head down.