Everest 2012: Weather Update and Up to Camp II
Posted on May 3rd, 2012 by sarah_hassell
It looks like there could possibly be some snow in the forecast! Mike posted the weather forecast below with the following note today:
We could really use this forecasted snow! There are two immediate benefits: 1) better climbing than the current bullet-proof ice on the Lhotse Face and, 2) it may help contain some of the rocks that are taking flight off the face. Status quo will not win the day – we ar really in need of a sea-change. Of course, the old adage, careful what you wish for is worth pondering…
Joel Gratz, our resident meteorologist, noted that:
The jet stream winds subside a lot in the next 24 hours and should abate over the weekend and into early next week. In fact, the 10-day forecast doesn’t show a return of the winds as strong as they’ve been the last few days, but it could get windier in a week or so after it is calmer for the next few days. Tough to forecast precipitation with midday and afternoon clouds/snow showers possible most days.
As far as the next steps, it looks like MIke will be moving up to Camp II tonight with the hopes of getting to Camp III in the next four days. An overnight at Camp III is “graduation” for the climbers and then the next goal can be moving upwards towards the summit. Mike indicated that it will be great to get a little reprieve from the weather drama and the rock falls. We wish him good luck