Mid-September and it seems everyone's on their way up Everest. The steep slopes are inviting some skiers looking to make fresh tracks, a crowd of Japanese climbers mingle with the Norwegians and the Spaniards will push the peak this week if weather permits.

It sounds like a fun time to be in the mountains, but if you can't make it this time, there's always MountEverest.net. The climbers keep the site updated with their candid outlooks on the climbs and the climes, and the pictures are so beautiful you can smell the crisp oxygen-thin air.

Here's today's report from Vern Tejas:

"One of our most experienced members, Mustafa, has been stricken with a serious stomach ulcer. We were informed by (no kidding) a 17-doctor expedition that this was a life threatening condition and were advised that he descend immediately. Mustafa prudently is withdrawing from our expedition for safety's sake as well as respect for fellow teammates."

MountEverest.net is constantly being updated and has links to homepages for other mountains and the expeditions currently under way. In fact, Dhaulagiri and Cho Oyu may even be more crowded than Everest right now.

Pull your blanket up to your chin, sip some cocoa and do some armchair mountaineering. The weather couldn't be better!