The Technical Hardware of a Mount Everest Expedition
When you are hanging off a steep face on your way to the Mount Everest summit, your life depends on a 20cm piece of metal. Ice screws are the foundational hardware of any Mount Everest expedition safety system.
Ice screws have sharp teeth that cut into the hard, blue ice. As the climber twists them in, they create a secure anchor point for the fixed ropes used during Everest trekking peaks and summit bids.
In extremely cold ice, placing a screw can shatter the surface. Mount Everest expedition climbers must be skilled at finding 'good ice' to ensure the anchor doesn't fail under load.
Screws are used to anchor tents at Camp 2 and 3, where the wind is strong enough to blow away unweighted shelters. They are the invisible anchors that keep a Mount Everest expedition from literal collapse.
In the world of the Mount Everest summit, gear is everything. Understanding the technical specs of your hardware gives you the confidence to climb higher.
