A Technical Survival Guide for Mount Everest expedition Climbers
An oxygen regulator is a precise instrument that hates the cold. Near the Mount Everest summit, internal icing can cause the flow to stop, a lethal scenario for any Mount Everest expedition climber.
As oxygen expands from the tank into the regulator, it cools down rapidly. Combined with the sub-zero air, this can cause internal freezing during the Mount Everest summit push. Understanding this physics is vital for safety.
If even a drop of water gets into the tank valve at Everest Base Camp, it will freeze the regulator at altitude. Maintaining 'dry' gear is the most important technical rule for a Mount Everest expedition.
Mount Everest summit climbers are taught to 'tap' the regulator or use a chemical warmer to thaw the mechanism. This troubleshooting must be done quickly to maintain blood oxygen levels during the expedition.
In the Death Zone, you are only as good as your gear. Protect your regulator from moisture to ensure your Mount Everest expedition reaches the summit safely.
