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Crossing a Crevasse

In this video, Chip's climbing partner, Vance Cook, crosses a crevasse on the Khumbu Icefall by traversing an aluminum ladder spanning the gap. The high winds can be heard, as well as Vance’s heavy breathing due to the high altitude and exertion. He mentions that they’re approaching Camp I, and notes, “You have to be careful because you only have one hand on the rope.” (Learn more)

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This is just one of numerous crevasses which must be crossed while climbing the Khumbu Icefall. As the Khumbu Glacier moves, ice breaks apart and forms crevasses which can become thousands of feet deep. The “Icefall Doctors” use snow stakes and ice screws to aid climbers in crossing the Icefall. Without their superior work, the climb would take much longer and be more dangerous.

Before reaching the summit of Mount Everest, climbers pass through a series of camps known as Camp I, Camp II, Camp III, and Camp IV. Camp I, reached after climbing the Khumbu Icefall, is at 19,357 feet.

Learn more about Khumbu glacier, Mount Everest, crevasse, icefalls, and mountain climbing.

Definitions

crevasse n.
A huge, deep crack in the ice of a glacier.
glacier n.
A large, slow-moving mass of ice in a high mountain valley, formed by the accumulation of compacted snow as it moves down from higher altitudes.

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