An extraordinary journey to the top
Since the last update Johann completed the third rotation from Base Camp up through Camps 1 and 2 up to Camp 3. This involved climbing up the treacherous Khumbu Ice fall along the way to Camp 1, and then the equally challenging Lhotse Face, a vertical climb along the ascent from Camp 2 to Camp 3. This was a particularly challenging climb, and Johann and his fellow climbers were quite depleted at the end of it.
Along the way up to Camp 3 during the 3rd rotation. The winds were so strong we could not stay there, we merely went there and turned back down to Camp 2
Upon their return to Base Camp they waited patiently for their turn to begin the climb to the summit. Johann is in Team 3 of the IMG (International Mountain Guides) group. There are only three climbers left on his team, and one more has joined them from Team 2, so there were four of them, each with their own Sherpa, departing for the summit.
The weather has generally been very bad during this expedition. The climbers have been inundated with snow-storms and blizzards, the camp sites are littered with large stones and boulders which have rolled down during the numerous avalanches. The last couple of days have seen the weather starting to clear. Other teams have already departed for the summit as the weather has finally started clearing on the summit. Team 3 departed for the summit later than the other teams.
After some more relaxed climbs along the few rest days they were ready for their final departure to the summit. They spent a night at Camp 1, another at camp 2, a further night at Camp 3, and then they proceeded to Camp 4 for a short rest there before they made their bid for the summit on Monday night. After Camp 3 they oxygen tanks were on full time as the saturation of oxygen in the air is very low. From this point Johann was trekking alone, with his Sherpa Ming Ma.
From Camp 4 they proceeded up to the South Column and then the South-east ridge. They changed oxygen cylinders at The Balcony and proceeded up towards the summit. At the summit Ming Ma contacted Base Camp to make an announcement. At 5.55am on Monday morning Johann’s expedition manager in Colombo, Sajeda Akbarally, received a call from Base Camp advising her that Johann had reached the summit of Mt Everest, making him the second Sri Lankan, and the first Sri Lankan man, to reach the summit.
Large boulders all around the campsite at Everest Base Camp
After spending a few short minutes at the summit Johann commenced the descent. He is currently on the descent, making his way back to Everest Base Camp, and then further down to Lukla where he will fly back to Kathmandu.
Johann is indeed grateful for the prayers and good wishes of all his family, friends and colleagues who are supporting him at home.