Chris Davenport Summits Mt. Everest
Hey Everyone! I’m sitting here now in a hotel in Bangkok reflecting on the enormity of the last two months is somewhat overwhelming. We summited just 5 days ago but already it seems somewhat far off. Our summit push was intense at times, yet spread over a week. During that time I shot so many photos and a ton of video, and am just now able to go through it all. Enjoy and thanks for reading. - Chris
- Neal climbs up through the Yellow Band on the fixed lines. At this point we are on O2, which makes life much easier.
This is what our schedule looked like the last week on Everest :
May 15th- Climbed up through the Khumbu Icefall to Camp II
May 16th- Rest day at Camp II
May 17th- Climbed the lower Lhotse Face to Camp III- gorgeous sunset and night at CIII- first time on O2
May 18th- Climbed up the Lhotse face, through the Yellow Band and Geneva Spur to Camp IV at the South Col. Rested for 8 hours then attempted Everest Summit- turned around at 11:30 pm by snow and wind. Back to tents at South Col to rest for almost 24 hours more.
May 19th- Left tents at 10 pm for summit. Climbed well and fast, passing dozens of climbers between Col and South summit
May 20th- summited at 7:55 am with perfect weather and snow conditions. Back at South Col camp IV at 1 pm
May 21st- Descended to Camp II
May 22nd- Descend through the Khumbu Icefall for the last time to BC
- The summit of Everest and the ubiquitous plume of snow high above the Geneva Spur.
- The moon about to rise behind Lhotse at 9 pm the night before we moved up to Camp III on the Lhotse Face.
- Me taking a break on route to the South Col. We were all feeling great on this day, motivated, and ready for our summit attempt.
- Crossing the top of the Geneva Spur and heading to the South Col on the 18th of May.
- Sunrise lighting up Kanchenjunga and Makalu. Neal summited Makalu in 1994 and I climbed on it but didn't summit in 1999.
- The sun crests the horizon over the Tibetan Plateau. In the foreground the Triangle Face of Everest is covered with almost two feet of fresh pow, inspiring Neal and I to discuss at length whether it would make the greatest "ski photo" of all time or not?
- The shadow of Everest to the West. The peak we are looking down on closest to us is Nuptse, which is almost 8000 meters high.
- Neal B below the South Summit. You can just make out the tents at the South Col over Karma Sherpa's pack.
- Neal in the tent at the South Col. 15 years earlier he had spent the night out on the Col saving lives.
- A climber stands solitary on the South Summit. Check out the Lhotse Couloir splitting the summit ridge of Lhotse behind.
- Close A few climbers coming down the Hillary Step as we prepare to ascend it. You can see guide Bill Allen checking our client Ephi's O2 flow.
- Climbing up through snow and wind during our aborted attempt at the summit on the night of the 18th. We climbed for another 500 feet before calling it a night and making our way back down to camp. (Photo: Neal Beidleman)
- Ephi Gildor reaches the summit of Everest. Neal is coming up the ridge in red with three sherpas in yellow.
- Stoked to be on the summit. I had a comfortable climb and plenty of energy and felt great on the summit. After a few minutes of no O2 however your vision narrows and you find yourself running for your mask.
- When we got to the top there were only two other folks there, two Dutch climbers who came up the North Ridge. By the time we left there were perhaps 20 others climbers up top. Myself, Neal at center, and Ephi at right.
- May 19th at 5 pm on the South Col. You can see the climbing track leaving our camp and heading up Everest to the ridge (The Balcony) and then up to the South Summit. (Photo: Neal Beidleman)
- Bill and Ephi down the South-East Ridge with big Makalu in the distance.
- Close Me at 1am freezing my hands off as we wait in line for many, many slow climbers. Once we got past them and really started moving I warmed up. The temp was probably -20. In the background is Lhotse with a cap cloud on the summit. (Photo: Neal Beidle
- Ephi, Neal, Chris, and Bill celebrate after reaching Camp IV at the South Col.
- Ascending the South-East Ridge as the early morning light begins to flood the sky. In the far, far distance you can make out Kanchenjunga, and a little closer Makalu. The peak directly behind the climber in yellow is Lhotse.
- Me climbing the steep but short Hillary Step. There are so many old ropes up there on the summit ridge that you really have to concentrate on clipping the correct rope. (Photo: Neal Beidleman)
- Descending the Hillary Step as the wind picks up and the snow starts to blow. Ephi rappels as I look on from above. (Photo: Neal B)
- With the summit now fading behind me, a profound sense of pride yet continued focus on getting down sets in. (Photo: Neal B)
- The two monkeys, Chris and Neal, at Camp III on the Lhotse Face. Neal won the weight loss competition.
- Afternoon clouds creep up the Western Cwm as Pumori makes herself visible in the distance. This dramatic dance of light and cloud would happen almost every afternoon. (Photo: Neal Beidleman)
- The Mountain Trip camp at Camp III on the Lhotse Face. We only had these tents up for one night and then took them up to the South Col. (Photo: Neal Beidleman)
- Photo Credit: Chris Davenport