Russians Look For Safer Route To Everest

All I can say is Good luck! The Russian team is headed off to Nepal to try to find a safer route up into the Western Cwm (pronounced "coom"), bypassing the famed and feared Khumbu Icefall. This would be great in some ways, as it would lessen and massive objective hazard faced by climbers attempting to ascend the "easy" route on Everest, the Southeast Ridge. And, more importantly, it would lessen the exposure to objective hazard faced by the Sherpa, including the famed Icefall Doctors, who really bear the brunt of dealing with this treacherous part of the climbing route.

Unfortunately, however, I doubt their quest will end in success. Eric Shipton pioneered the route through the icefall in 1951 (with a young climber named Edmund Hillary), seeing it as the only reasonable route from that side. Shipton had gazed upon the icefall in 1938 which climbing from the North Side of the peak, via Tibet.

In all subsequent expeditions to the Southeast Ridge Route, climbers have rolled the proverbial dice with the Icefall; to date, no reasonable alternate route has been found. Geology of course plays a major role in this: The icefall flows between two massive features - the daunting West Shoulder of Everest to the North and the formidable steep faces of Nuptse to the South. Sadly, I doubt the Russians will find an alternate route, but it would be great if they did!