What's happening on Mount Everest?

Members of an expedition hike at the Khumbu icefall, Nepal, on April 22. Photo: Reuters .

Hundreds of climbers are waiting at Everest Base Camp after a large fissure and blocks of ice, including an ice tower about 30 meters high, blocked the path to the summit of Everest, according to Reuters .

The annual Everest climbing season typically runs from April to May, when weather conditions are most favorable for conquering the "roof of the world ." However, this year, a dangerous ice mass (serac) has blocked the route above the base camp.

Experienced sherpas, known as "ice doctors," have so far been unable to secure ropes, erect ladders, or create a safe path through the treacherous Khumbu ice area to reach Camp II. Meanwhile, climbers are forced to wait, even during the most favorable weather conditions.

"All climbing expeditions are being delayed because of this impasse," Garrett Madison, the international leader of the 16th Everest climb, said from the base camp. He noted that the ice mass could collapse at any moment, but it could also take more time.

A member of the expedition stands at the Khumbu icefall, Nepal, on April 22. Photo: Reuters.

On CNN , Adriana Brownlee, co-founder of the travel company AGA Adventures, said that teams are using technology such as 3D imaging and drones to assess the risk and when the iceberg might collapse.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old Bianca Adler is aiming to become the youngest Australian to conquer Everest. She arrived at the base camp on April 20 and was scheduled to begin acclimatization, but the plan was delayed. In the meantime, climbers are training by taking short hikes, climbing nearby ice towers, and practicing their crevice climbing skills using metal ladders.

"I believe the 'icefall doctors' are trying to ensure a safe climbing season," Adler said.

According to Himal Gautam of the Nepal Tourism Board, the route is usually opened in the third week of April. If the ice melts or collapses, the sherpa team can quickly clear the path, and the groups can still meet their schedule to conquer the summit. In case they cannot handle it, authorities will deploy additional sherpas to assess the risk and find alternative solutions. Currently, there are eight "ice doctors" on duty at the base station.

Mingma Sherpa, who has climbed Everest 11 times and is currently leading an international expedition, said that acclimatization to the altitude and transporting equipment to higher camps have been hampered.

Climbers set up tents at the base camp while waiting for the Khumbu icefall to open. Photo: Bianca Adler.

Everest lies on the border between Nepal and China's Tibet Autonomous Region. It can be climbed from both sides, but most expeditions choose the Nepalese route. Mountaineering is a significant source of income for Nepal, a country that boasts eight of the world's 14 highest peaks.

This season, authorities have issued 410 permits to climb Everest, each costing $15,000 . There is no limit on the number, a practice that has been controversial and led to congestion in the "death zone," where the air is thin and inherently dangerous.

Among the waiting climbers, 98 were from China (including 24 women), the largest number from any country. The data also showed 49 Americans and 46 Indians.

Lukas Furtenbach, who led a group of 40 international climbers, believes the number of climbers from the Nepalese side could continue to increase, as the Tibetan side is closed to climbing groups this year for unknown reasons, causing many to shift to the southern route.

Source: https://znews.vn/chuyen-gi-dang-xay-ra-tren-dinh-everest-post1646998.html