Old Everest Expedition Article

[AlpineK]

Thirty years ago I took part in an attempt to ascend an unclimbed route on Mt Everest (NE Ridge).

Our trip was during the post monsoon period (August-September).  While we did have a period of good weather, snowfall became mostly non stop.  At the end of August jetstream winds descended. No expedition attempting routes on the northern side of the mountain was able to summited that season.

The route we attempted was the same route Peter Boardman and Joe Tasker died on.  In subsequent years I believe climbers have made it through a series of pinnacles, but no one has summitted via this route.

Article: https://lmtribune.com/northwest/last-men-on-the-mountain/article_962a9909-5920-52f9-9413-3a857cf43f3f.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=user-share&fbclid=IwAR3eywumm7VM5nSMLcUJQRzbyt_KQ2tlTbKcSZPQW9Qb9u2Tdf13X6XHLbs

It was interesting/depressing to see how some of the Chinese liaison officers treated Tibetans.

When we new we were not going to summit, two brits and myself did a 20 mile walk down the road.  We told others not to say anything to the main liaison officer until trucks scheduled to drive us to Nepal showed up.

Once the liaison officer caught up with us, he was a bit pissed.

[Bosterson]

Thanks for posting Kurt, that's neato. Has no one really climbed the full NE ridge yet? (I thought it finally went down in the late 90s, but maybe not the whole thing?) Really cool to see your old photos, I'm sure a lot has changed about how the "scene" is out there compared with when you were there.

Side note re Chinese/Tibetans, I just discovered China has made some kind of Chinese version of Vertical Limit (called "The Climbers"), featuring amongst others Jackie Chan (??), which makes propagandistic references to how the 1960 Chinese climbers have to summit "their" mountain... Oy... 

[AlpineK]

To the best of my knowledge, one or two groups have successfully climbed through a series of pinnacles where the ridge steepens.  At that point the group or groups descended the north col route. 

It's still a long ways to the summit after ascending the pinnacles.  You wouldn't meet up with the north col route until you are practically on the summit.

[ScaredSilly]

The Japanese did the complete NE Ridge in 1995 with sherpa support and fixed ropes.

[Khartoum Wood]

this is really cool too see amazing pictures too.

[pup_on_the_mountain]

Thanks much for sharing the link to the story and old pics, Kurt! You guys were a tough bunch BITD.

And nice to see connections to the Palouse...