Ice block stalls hundreds of Everest climbers at base camp
Summary
A large unstable ice block above Mount Everest's base camp is blocking hundreds of climbers and guides from moving up the mountain. Officials are assessing the danger and waiting for the ice to melt to a safer level before continuing the climbing route.Key Facts
- The unstable ice block, called a serac, is located between Everest base camp and camp one.
- About 410 foreign climbers have permits for the spring climbing season, which ends in May.
- "Icefall doctors" set up ropes and ladders on the climbing route, a job normally done by mid-April.
- The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee is using aerial surveys to check the serac's condition.
- The Khumbu Icefall, where the serac is, is a dangerous glacier with deep cracks and large hanging ice chunks.
- In 2014, a glacier collapse in this area caused an avalanche that killed 16 Sherpa guides.
- Climbers and guides expect to try again next month when weather conditions are better.
- Since 1953, thousands of people have climbed Everest, the world’s highest mountain at 8,849 meters (29,032 feet).
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.