This trip was originally planned as an expedition to climb Mount Everest for the second time and also to attempt 'Lhotse', the fourth highest mountain in the world, standing at 8516M/27,939FT. The routes are the same to the South Col and the goal was to try and summit both back to back, in under 24 hours. On April 18th, tragedy struck. There was a huge avalanche in the Khumbu Icefall, as a serac brole off from an icebulge high up on Everest's Western shoulder. It tragically killed 16 Sherpa who were climing in the Icefall at the time, of which 5 were from our team. Out of respect to those who died, our team decided not to continue the expedition. As a consequence, the Khumbu Icefall became closed to climbers that Spring and nearly every team headed home.

In memory of our friends that died:

Nima Sherpa from Thak Sindu*
Mingma Nuru Sherpa from Phurte*
Ang Tshering Sherpa from Thamo*
Tenzing Chottar Sherpa from Yelajung*
Dorjee Sherpa from Tarnag*
Pasang Karma Sherpa from Juving
Phurba Ongyal Sherpa from Khumjung
Lakpa Tenjing Sherpa from Khumjung.
Chhiring Ongchu Sherpa from Khumjung
Dorji Sherpa from Namche
Dorjee Khatri from Lelep, Taplejung
Phur Temba Sherpa from Yaphu, Sankhuwasabha
Asman Tamang from Sotang
Ankaji Sherpa from Makalu, Sankhuwasabha
Ash Bahadur Gurung from Laprak, Gorkha
Pem Tenji Sherpa from Choksam,
(* indicates the Sherpa who worked for Alpine Ascents, our expedition organiser).