As we enter the last week of April, the climbing on Everest is in the full program. Climbers are all over the lower mountain from EBC to Camps 1 and 2. Sherpas are incredibly busy stocking camps. Meanwhile, on the other 8000ers, progress was stalled by weather, but still climbing underway on some others. All in all, it's a low-drama year thus far.  

Big Picture 

 As of April 24, 2022, the Ministry of Tourism has issued 876 total climbing permits, with 302 for Everest, including 72 female climbers, or 23%. Since 1953, of the 4524 members, not Sherpas, to have summited, only 674 are female or 16%. The United States represents the largest number of members on Everest this spring with 63, followed by the UK-33, Nepal (non-Sherpas)-20, India-22, Canada-17, Russia-16, France-12, China-10, and Austria with 10. There are 37 countries represented by a single climber.  Everest Base Camp is rapidly filling up with most teams reviewing basic skills and preparing for their first walk into the Icefall, a big day ahead. A few have already completed their first rotation to Camp 2. See the tracking table for the latest team locations.  Climbers on Dhaulagiri and Annapurna are climbing with summit pushes expected as soon as the weather calms. Also, climbing has begun on Kachchenunga and Makalu. 

 Into the Icefall - A narriative 

 The first steps into the Khumbu Icefall can be shocking. It starts steeper than most thought, has more ups and downs than advertised and when you see that first ladder, second thoughts are common.  

Climb On! 

Alan

 Memories are Everything