Everest Expedition ( South Col. ) Nepal Side. Most of the mountaineers have their dream to reach the summit of Everest in their life time. For many who are mainly trekkers are contended having the good view of it from Kalapatthar, Gokyo Ri or visiting Everest base camp. For many mountaineers successful Everest expedition is the ultimate goal of climbing in Himalayas of Nepal. Everest expedition via the South Col remains the most popular choice among the mountaineers as it gives the most assured means of reaching the top.
Time spent over 8000m. is less in the approach to the summit on the south side as the summit is attempted in one push. Furthermore the south route has a good record of success due to the easy access of the route once it is opened by the first summiters of the season. The popular Everest base camp trail is followed to reach the base camp for the Everest expedition. A short walk along the moraine leades to the icefall with large seracs and crevasses which is considered one of the obstacles for the expedition.
Each year, experienced Sherpas fix this section with ropes and ladders which makes easier for the climbers to cross this section to reach Camp 1. The terrain is gradual climb to reach the Camp 2 near the top of the Western Cwm. From here climbing on mixed snow and ice leads way up the Lhotse Face to Camp 3. From the camp 3 climbing on moderate mixed snow and rocks is not easy which leads to South Col. the Camp 4.
The route steepens after ascending snow slopes to reach the crest of the South East Ridge and easy climbing and then again steep clmbing leads to the South Summit. A short traverse to the Hillary Step and then climbing on short, steep rock and snow groove of notorious Hillary Step leades to the final easy ridge to the summit.
