Imja Tse (Island Peak)
6173 m
7 november 2003
early morning start
leaving Islang High Camp at 0445 hrs, we made our way up the rocky southern face of the Imja Tse massive under the light of our headlamps
change point
at 5800 m, the rocky trail suddenly ends and the glacier begins; climbers don on crampons and harnesses here
glacier walk
the initial glacier climb was rather gradual, but the low atmospheric pressure makes the climber breathless after every few steps
ridge to the summit
view of the snow covered summit massive with the many crevasses; Island Peak summit is the highest point seen
the wall
a 30 - 45 degree 100+ meter wall was the biggest challenge for most climbers attempting Island Peak
high angle climb
there were already many climbers on the steep slope as we ascended
fixed roping
most climbers use fixed ropes to aid in their ascend
taking a break
taking a rest after ascending the wall
summit in sight
the summit trail follows the narrow steep ridgeline
final shoulder
not far left to go, as we follow the train of many other climbers vying for the summit
6173 @ 0930
took us 4 hours 45 minutes to summit from High Camp
[ click on the above image for a panoramic view ]
a circus
it was like a circus up on the summit... crowds of climbers coming up and down throughout the hour we spent there
patriot
with the Nepalese flag unfurled
more coming
there were still so many climbers making their way up towards the summit as we were descending
changing out
back at the snow-rock line... yet another crowd donning on their hardware in preparation for the summit glacier
going down
a slow and steady descend down the steep rocky path to High Camp