What Happens in the Final Hours of an Expedition
The push for the Mount Everest summit begins in the middle of the night. Climbers leave Camp 4 around 9 PM or 10 PM to ensure they reach the top and descend before the afternoon winds arrive.
The final hours are spent melting snow for tea and water. Dehydration is a massive risk in the Death Zone. Every drop of liquid is precious for the Mount Everest summit attempt.
Putting on crampons, oxygen masks, and heavy down suits inside a cramped tent at 8,000m is a logistical nightmare. It requires mental focus and intense effort before the climb even begins.
Summit night is where the mental battle is won or lost. Looking up at the headlamps of other Mount Everest expedition members snaking up the mountain is both inspiring and intimidating.
Preparation on summit night determines the outcome. It is the most intense few hours of any Mount Everest expedition.
