The rapid melting of glaciers, such as the Khumbu Glacier, has caused significant changes in the stability of the ice on Mount Everest. The Khumbu Icefall, a treacherous section of the South Col route that climbers must navigate before reaching Camp 1, is filled with large blocks of ice called seracs and deep crevasses. This year, the Icefall Doctors had to delay the start of the Everest climbing season by 12 days due to unsafe conditions caused by the melting ice.
Climatologist Paul Mayewski warns that as global temperatures continue to rise, the Khumbu Icefall will become even more hazardous for climbers. Over the years, many climbers have lost their lives due to avalanches, ice collapses, and falls into crevasses in this perilous section. The Icefall Doctors work tirelessly each season to find the safest route through the icefall, setting up ropes and ladders to help climbers navigate the cliffs and crevices.
Despite these challenges, Mayewski believes that climbing Mount Everest will still be possible in the future. However, he notes that climate change will make it even more dangerous than it already is. Rapidly melting glaciers like those on Mount Everest are causing an increase in lakes and streams in the area. This not only increases the risk of avalanches and falling ice but also makes crevasses more dangerous for climbers.
Mayewski’s research indicates that conditions are changing across Mount Everest, with significant ice loss on both sides of South Col glacier in recent decades. The effects of climate change are evident at Base Camp areas as well, with visible signs of melting. While these dangers are concerning for climbers who take on this challenge every year, they continue to adapt to these changing conditions to fulfill their ambitions.
The movement of glaciers creates deep crevasses and deadly avalanches
