Everest Expedition 2011: Expedition Overview

Everest Expedition 2011

Nicholas Rice has begun planning an expedition to the north face of Mount Everest in the spring of 2009. Nick will be joining a Spanish expedition, a number of who’s members have climbed with Nick on other 8000 meter peaks in years past. He will be attempting the mountain without supplementary oxygen via the Northeast ridge. Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world at a staggering 29,029 ft (8,848m). The mountain is located on the border of Nepal and Tibet and is most commonly attempted from the Nepal side. The Northeast Ridge however offers more of a technical challenge and is less crowded with amateurs than the South Side. The northeast ridge route begins from the north side of Everest in Tibet. Expeditions trek to the Rongbuk Glacier, setting up Base Camp at 5,180 m (17,000 ft) on a gravel plain just below the glacier. To reach Camp II, climbers ascend the medial moraine of the east Rongbuk Glacier up to the base of Changtse at around 6,100 m (20,000 ft). Camp III (ABC - Advanced Base Camp) is situated below the North Col at 6,500 m (21,300 ft). To reach Camp IV on the north col, climbers ascend the glacier to the foot of the col where fixed ropes are used to reach the North Col at 7,010 m (23,000 ft). From the North Col, climbers ascend the rocky north ridge to set up Camp V at around 7,775 m (25,500 ft). The route goes up the north face through a series of gullies and steepens into downsloping slabby terrain before reaching the site of Camp VI at 8,230 m (27,000 ft). From Camp VI, climbers will make their final summit push. Climbers must first make their way through three rock bands known as First Step: 27,890 feet - 28,000 feet, Second Step: 28,140 feet - 28,300 feet, and Third Step: 28,510 feet - 28,870 feet. Once above these steps, the final summit slopes (50 to 60 degrees) to the top.

Nicholas Rice will be attempting to climb Everest without the use of supplemental oxygen.

*Tentative Itinerary Under Construction*