April 17th – Location of basecamps and number of climbers on the North Side of Everest

Apr 17, 2012

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in Everest 2012

I have spent the last last two days visiting the other team’s here at basecamp. I have made an audit of the number of each team’s climbing members. I also climbed the moraine wall to take a panorama photograph and marked the positions of each basecamp on the image below.

The information I have gained below is from asking members from each expedition. Where possible I tried to speak to the leader, when not available I spoke to whoever was available. The information below is as accurate as possible given the circumstances.

For the audit of climbers, I count climbers and their guides together in one count, and Sherpa/Tibetan’s going for summit in a separate count for each team. I have not counted cooks or other support staff for teams.

I apologise in advance if I have got any numbers wrong. If I have and you have more upto date information please email me (rawly@singnet.com.sg) or post a comment on this post and I will update it as we progress to get things more accurate. At the end of the season I hope to get the number of successful summiter’s and can thus calculate an exact percentage success rate.

As time goes on team members will drop out due to injury and sickness, however I am not sure I can accurately track that.

I will update this post as I get more information.

TOTAL CLIMBERS KNOWN AS AT: June 15th, 2012

Total number of clients attempting summit: 118

Total number of Sherpa/Tibetan attempting summit: 114

Key (see number in red on the photograph)

1. Entrance to basecamp.

Site of Chinese Army security point. No one without valid climbing or trekking permits is allowed past here.

2. Site of Mallory and Irvine Memorial (see photo below). Also the basecamp of an expedition called ‘Rolwaling Excursion’ .

The team did not look to have arrived when I visited however the Tibetan crew told me there was 7 climbers for the summit??

NUMBER OF CLIMBERS FOR SUMMIT = 4

NUMBER SHERPA FOR SUMMIT = 4

3. Location of stone toilet.

This is built on a large mound which is also the best spot to pick up the reception signal for those people using CHINA MOBILE service. CHINA MOBILE can be picked up all over basecamp but reception is fickle and drifts in and out. From the top of this mound I found the most reliable spot.

4. Mountain Monarch basecamp A 6 person Albanian team (including a father and son) with supporting Sherpa’s

NUMBER OF CLIMBERS FOR SUMMIT = 6

NUMBER SHERPA FOR SUMMIT = 6

5. Arun Trekking basecamp run by very friendly Lhakpa Rangdu Sherpa. They have two clients, a Russian and a French gentlemen.

NUMBER OF CLIMBERS FOR SUMMIT = 2

NUMBER SHERPA FOR SUMMIT = 4

6. Altitide Junkies basecamp. 7 climbers, 9 climbing Sherpa’s.

NUMBER OF CLIMBERS FOR SUMMIT = 7

NUMBER SHERPA FOR SUMMIT = 9

7. CTMA Chinese Tibetan Mountaineering Association rope fixing camp

NUMBER ROPE FIXERS FOR SUMMIT = 12

There is a Chinese team of climbers which I found it very difficult to get an accurate answer of the number of climbers as everytime I asked I got told a different number.

So I am making a best estimate here based on my research.

NUMBER OF CLIMBERS FOR SUMMIT = 5

NUMBER SHERPA FOR SUMMIT = 10

8. There are 3 expedition basecamps grouped closely around this rocky mound:

Adventure peaks working with Himalayan guides

4 x Swedish climbers and 4 x British climbers plus one Canadian guide.

NUMBER OF CLIMBERS FOR SUMMIT = 9

NUMBER SHERPA FOR SUMMIT = 4

Summit Climb

NUMBER OF CLIMBERS FOR SUMMIT = 5

NUMBER SHERPA FOR SUMMIT = 4

Chinese Team from China Geographic University in Wuhan

NUMBER OF CLIMBERS FOR SUMMIT = 4

NUMBER TIBETAN/SHERPA FOR SUMMIT = 5

9. Project Himalaya basecamp

NUMBER OF CLIMBERS FOR SUMMIT = 2

NUMBER SHERPA FOR SUMMIT = 2

Andrew Lock is sharing basecamp with Project Himalaya but climbing solo without oxygen

NUMBER OF CLIMBERS FOR SUMMIT = 1

NUMBER SHERPA FOR SUMMIT = 0

10. 7-Summits Club and 7-Summits Adventure basecamp.

NUMBER OF CLIMBERS FOR SUMMIT = 25

NUMBER SHERPA FOR SUMMIT = approximately 18 (to be confirmed)

11.Indian Mountaineering and Skiing expedition basecamp

NUMBER OF CLIMBERS FOR SUMMIT = 15

NUMBER SHERPA FOR SUMMIT = 6

12. Kobler & Partner basecamp

NUMBER OF CLIMBERS FOR SUMMIT = 9

NUMBER SHERPA FOR SUMMIT = 11

13. Asian Trekking

NUMBER OF CLIMBERS FOR SUMMIT = 10

NUMBER SHERPA FOR SUMMIT = 7

14. Chinese expedition 2 Chinese climbers sponsored by a company with 15 Tibetan guides

NUMBER OF CLIMBERS FOR SUMMIT = 2

NUMBER TIBETAN SHERPA FOR SUMMIT = 4

15. Snout of the mighty Rongbuk Glacier

16. Turning point up the East Rongbuk glacier which teams take on the way to Advanced basecamp

17. Summit of Mt Everest

18. Monterossa expedition basecamp Spain/German/Italian/Poland and Ecuador climbers

NUMBER OF CLIMBERS FOR SUMMIT = 8

NUMBER TIBETAN SHERPA FOR SUMMIT = 4

19. Cho Oyu Trekking – Polish team – no permanent basecamp. Arrived later in season, for apparently 20+ days only on the mountain. One climber reported sick with AMS and returned to Kathmandu early on.

NUMBER OF CLIMBERS FOR SUMMIT = 4

NUMBER TIBETAN SHERPA FOR SUMMIT = 3

The image below is copyright to Grant Rawlinson.

CLICK THE PHOTO TO ENLARGE

Comments

31 responses to “April 17th – Location of basecamps and number of climbers on the North Side of Everest”

AM

April 17, 2012

Holy moley!
How many heading to South Col and how many to North?
Is anyone spot better than another?
Is there some kind of protocol for selecting a spot: allocated, first in best dressed?

You have inspired Charlie to do his Grade 2 Unit of Enquiry project on “Contributors” on Sir Ed. And, he can read. So we are now expecting you too to “knock the bastard off”.

AM

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1. Grant Rawlinson (Axe)
  
  April 20, 2012
  
  Hello AM, Sorry for delay in reply, technical issues here in China. First in first served is the rule at BC as far as I can tell. The main issues are being in a location where you are close to a water source and also can get reception for your comm’s equipment. Nice to hear Charlie is researching the great man Sir Ed. Hope all is well in the ‘pore and thanks for your continued support!
  
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AM

April 17, 2012

And I just read the title. All North…

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Shelagh

April 17, 2012

Wonderful photograph and details. For those of us who have never been where you are, this is really helpful and informative.

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1. Grant Rawlinson (Axe)
  
  April 19, 2012
  
  Thanks Shelagh!
  
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stephanieocp

April 17, 2012

fantastic groundwork! very impressed!

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1. Grant Rawlinson (Axe)
  
  April 19, 2012
  
  thank you Mrs Rawlinson!
  
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davelim8850

April 17, 2012

you have a lot of time on your hands Grunto – a real Everest Nerd/Geek! Well done. My old 2001 Everest basecamp was around “7”. At that time no one was close to us as they all clumped around the lower chinese basecmp ( under the Mallory memorial mound. I guess now they have wised up cos the water in this area is better…

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1. Grant Rawlinson (Axe)
  
  April 19, 2012
  
  Thanks Dave. We do have alot of time down here so its nice to have a ‘project’ to work on. Dan Mazur says hello to you.
  
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ufitsingapore

April 17, 2012

Mate so you’re breathing ok, sleeping ok? How are you eating? You definitely sound in better spirits this time round!!

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1. Grant Rawlinson (Axe)
  
  April 19, 2012
  
  Hi Darren, so far so good with the breathing, not sleeping that well but thats altitude. Its a good team I am with, nice people who are here for the right reasons so am enjoying the company also.
  
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Dazza

April 18, 2012

Grant,

Were you able to access any of the vpn sites? Let me know if you need some other links.

Cheers,
Dazza

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1. Grant Rawlinson (Axe)
  
  April 19, 2012
  
  Hi Dazza, I tried it but I needed to update my OS as well which required a 280MB file download. I have found a workaround now though. Thanks for your help!
  
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merrywom

April 18, 2012

So enjoying visiting Everest from the comfort of my Singapore shophouse!!

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Mo

April 18, 2012

Where’s yr camp?

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1. Grant Rawlinson (Axe)
  
  April 19, 2012
  
  Hi Mo!! Our camp is Altitude Junkies – number 6 in the photo.
  
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2. Grant Rawlinson (Axe)
  
  April 20, 2012
  
  Hi Mo, its position number 6 – Altitude Junkies in the photo.
  
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Richard

April 18, 2012

Tamae Watanabe, a 73 yr old Japanese women is on her way to base camp for an attempt on everest. If she passes you on the mountain give her my regards.

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1. Grant Rawlinson (Axe)
  
  April 20, 2012
  
  Richard, I think she may be climbing from the south side? I am on the North…. I havnt bumped into her on my tours of basecamp here.
  
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flor agalliu

April 18, 2012

go albanian team!!! thanks for posting the pic, so we can take a peak on our guys. best

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1. Grant Rawlinson (Axe)
  
  April 20, 2012
  
  You are welcome Flor! good luck to the Albanian team.
  
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Kate (Isadora) Smith

April 19, 2012

Very informative photograph.I am sure with your experience you will have known which spot to choose You were absolutely right about how busy SBC would be, it looks absolutely heaving. I am becoming an Everest Junkie and I seem to be attached to my IPad.It would appear that be you novice or professional you all still have the same fears.I was impressed by how much time you devote to the basic skills I suppose it would be easy to become blasé but one careless move and it could all be over.Your dedication is impressive.Cheers Kate

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philippasutherland

April 19, 2012

Hello Grant!
This is Ms. Sutherland’s grade six class at OFS! We love reading your blog! It’s awesome! The blogs we read are interesting. We like your passion and we would like to be with you on the mountain.
We will continue to read your blog so that we can learn more about other countries, people that live there and your mountaineering adventures. We can also learn more about Everest and what is happening there.
What is it like to be on Everest? Do you like Nepal? We hope you will reach the top of Everest.
We think you are very adventurous and brave. We hope your dream of climbing to the top of Everest will happen. We hope you will be safe and healthy. Be careful! We can’t wait to hear how it was on the top of the mountain!
We would love it if you could visit us after you come back from Everest! Don’t forget to take a photo when you are on top of the world!
We wish you good luck and a perfect climb! We think it’s really cool to be someone who is trying to climb Everest and we wish that all your dreams will become a reality.
From,
Ada, Victoria, Marika, Sakurako, David, Frederik, Dong Yoon, Andres, Baptiste, Chan Young, Omri, Narumu, Max, Mikael, and Tina
(Ms. Sutherland’s grade six class)
P.S. We are your biggest fans!

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philippasutherland

April 19, 2012

Hello Grant!
This is Ms. Sutherland’s grade six class at OFS! We love reading your blog! It’s awesome! The blogs we read are interesting. We like your passion and we would like to be with you on the mountain.
We will continue to read your blog so that we can learn more about other countries, people that live there and your mountaineering adventures. We can also learn more about Everest and what is happening there.
What is it like to be on Everest? Do you like Nepal? We hope you will reach the top of Everest.
We think you are very adventurous and brave. We hope your dream of climbing to the top of Everest will happen. We hope you will be safe and healthy. Be careful! We can’t wait to hear how it was on the top of the mountain!
We would love it if you could visit us after you come back from Everest! Don’t forget to take a photo when you are on top of the world!
We wish you good luck and a perfect climb! We think it’s really cool to be someone who is trying to climb Everest and we wish that all your dreams will become a reality.
From,
Ada, Victoria, Marika, Sakurako, David, Frederik, Dong Yoon, Andres, Baptiste, Chan Young, Omri, Narumu, Max, Mikael, and Tina
(Ms. Sutherland’s grade six class)

P.S. We are your biggest fans!

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1. Grant Rawlinson (Axe)
  
  April 19, 2012
  
  Hello Ada, Victoria, Marika, Sakurako, David, Frederik, Dong Yoon, Andres, Baptiste, Chan Young, Omri, Narumu, Max, Mikael, and Tina, and also Ms Sutherland!
  It was very nice to get your message. I will definitely look forward to coming to visit you when I return to Singapore. It is very exciting to be here on Everest, the mountain looks so huge and windy from basecamp that I often just stand and stare at it for long periods. Nepal is a beautiful country with friendly people. I am not in Nepal now though, I am in China, as I am climbing from the North side of Everest. It is minus 10 degrees inside the tent at night time so its cold here at basecamp. As we get higher up the mountain it gets colder and colder. Thanks again for your message and your wonderful support!
  Warm regards,
  Axe
  
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Baptiste

April 19, 2012

Hello Mr. Grant i am Baptiste from the 6 SPP class ( Mrs Sutherland’s class )
I am very exited about your experience,
I would love to be with you now on everest,
I think it’s so cool to be on everest 😉
Warm Regards
Good luck
be careful !!
Baptiste Venot ( from France )

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1. Grant Rawlinson (Axe)
  
  April 20, 2012
  
  Hello Baptiste, Thank you for your nice message. Please say hello to all your classmates and your teacher Ms Sutherland also. I look forward to meeting you in Singapore after Everest.
  
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Baptiste

April 19, 2012

I am your BIGGEST fan !!!!!!
😉

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Kate (Isadora) Smith

April 20, 2012

Gosh, what a lovely gang of supporters. Thanks again for a great video, it just keeps we followers involved, the wind is certainly strong let’s hope it weakens enabling you to have a go at the summit..You have pinched my party trick which is usually performed in public after a good night and usually found embarrassing by family members, especially the younger ones.Cheers Kate

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1. Grant Rawlinson (Axe)
  
  April 20, 2012
  
  Hi Kate, its a great party trick and I am glad to have found a fellow practitioner!
  
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May 9th: Update from Basecamp « Axe on Everest 2012

May 9, 2012

[…] on the North Side. I have updated the post I made on total number of climbers from the North Side. Click here to check it […]

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