Weekly Recap: Record Season on Everest and Snowboarding

Filed in archive Outdoor News on June 11, 2007

Wow! I've missed a lot. Thanks for your patience during my absence. Here's the best of the outdoor news I missed.

Record-Breaking Summit Season on Everest

Five hundred and fourteen climbers have summited Everest this spring, according to Nepal mountaineering Association President Ang Tsering Sherpa. The figure includes all summits achieved from both sides of the mountain until May 28, meaning the number could yet increase before the monsoon arrives, since at least three teams are still climbing on Everest's north side.

"This is the highest number in the history of climbing Everest since the first ascent in 1953," Ang Tsering told AFP in Kathmandu. Last year was a record season as well: According to Elizabeth Hawley's Himalayan Database, 480 people summited Everest during spring, and 11 further climbers topped-out in fall. Also, 11 people perished on the mountain.

Snowboarder to Pedal Across U.S.

On Tuesday, U.S. Snowboarding's Jayson Hale will leave his home in Sierraville, CA, and catch a flight to Seattle, WA, more specifically Anacortes, the starting point for a coast-to-coast bicycle trip traversing 4,300 miles at an average of 80 miles per day.

Lone Remaining Everest Team Eyes Summit

Conrad Anker's Altitude Everest team is on their final push on Everest's north side, according to MountEverest.net. Five climbers and cameramen, plus 15 Sherpas departed the North Col earlier today, toward C1 at 7,500m. They hope to reach the summit on Thursday, June 14. According to plans, the expedition would climb at least part of the route in vintage replica clothes and gear. Filming a documentary on Mallory and Irvine's 1924 ascent, Anker's expedition members previously stated they would remove ladders and ropes from the Second Step, in order to free-climb it as Mallory and Irvine supposedly did.

Thanks to Outdoornewswire for the info!