Jost Kobusch, a 32-year-old German mountaineer who summited Denali in winter, is attempting what some experts give a 1% chance of success: he wants to summit Everest in winter, alone, without supplemental oxygen, and following a rarely climbed route, the dangerous West Ridge.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=b1QtNL4CqJo

In this WanderLearn Show, Jost discusses his overall goal, the extreme winter conditions at Everest’s altitude, being blown off the mountain on past attempts, why he chose the West Ridge, details on route maps, filming mishaps, rope use, when he might change his plan, the story of Mallory and Irvine, and what it would mean if he died after summiting.

Timeline

00:00 Jost’s goal

01:00 Everest is 9,000 meters in winter

06:00 Blown off the mountain

07:20 Why West Ridge Route?

08:23 Map of Route

13:25 Filming Disasters

19:00 How Jost uses rope

21:00 When would he change?

23:30 Mallory & Irvine

24:30 What if he dies after summitting?

26:30 Follow Jost

Credits

In the video interview, you’ll see some b-roll from the following sources:

ALONE video:

3D Everest Map

Jost Photos by Daniel Hug

In my next interview with Jost, what would you like me to ask him? Put it in the comments!

Here are my future questions for Jost:

- Will you fly down the mountain? (He loves to paraglide off mountains.)

- Why not do the route alone during May-June first as a proof of concept?

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