M L collapsed from the face of Nuptse , heading like a wave towards them , only to be diverted by a huge gully a few hundred metres ahead . They were hit by the huge backdraft of air the fall created , showered again in a cloud of ice particles .
Just below the final ladder , at the top of the Khumbu , Stu called time on the ascent and everyone began the equally treacherous trek back to base camp . After eight hours of climbing up and four hours down , the demands that would be required to conquer this mountain were becoming real .
The whole team is suffering from the demands of the mountain physically , mentally , and emotionally . The few days at base camp provided much-needed recovery time and the opportunity to take video calls and messages from home . Poetry and massage also helped fill the days before the final acclimatisation rotation to camp three .
Camp four is a cold , lonely , hostile place with the remnants of previous expeditions strewn across the landscape . There ’ s less order here , and a noticeable urgency and nervousness in everyone , including the Sherpas . Everyone is now perched on the edge of the notorious Death Zone at eight-thousand meters .
They climb into the tents for their final rest , and try to eat and drink . The Sherpas are busy making sure all the kit is secure and everyone is ready to leave at 2200hrs . It ’ s a sombre mood as the light wind is buffeting the tent , and apprehension is building . Stepping from the tent fully kitted up , the team is gripped by the biting cold , hands and face in pain as they ready themselves for the off . The oxygen is opened up to four litres per minute , and everyone is reminded : six hours to the balcony , three hours to the south summit , and three to the main summit , or the climb is over . Each paired off with their respective sherpas , everyone gives some last hugs , handshakes and words of good luck . Fu Rinzee Sherpa and Liam are leading , with the rest of the team behind in short succession .
As everyone reaches the south summit , the sun breaks through the horizon ; a burning rim of fire streaking around the curve of the earth , filling the sky with light and heat , the pyramid shadow of Everest etched across the soaring peaks of the Himalaya . Looking up along the summit ridge , the team is overcome with emotion knowing they ’ ve survived the night , and their goal is just hours away .
Pushing on for the summit , Liam eventually reaches the top of the world . While there ’ s no red carpet or finish gantry there waiting for him , he ’ s officially on top of Mount Everest . It ’ s a spectacular , spiritual experience , and here he takes a few moments to think about his family , team and hero George Mallory , before quickly realising it ’ s time to get back down to safety . The wind has picked up with gusts strong enough to knock you to the floor .
Back on the summit ridge , Liam passes Steve who is struggling to breathe . His pace slowed and he feels a numbness in his body , a feeling of suffocation . Stu notices and finds his oxygen is empty , quickly changing it on the spot . Phil also struggles towards the summit as his oxygen depletes , and he resigns himself to the thought he may not summit . Phurba Sherpa swaps his cylinder , and all was well again . Shortly after passing Phil on the way down , Liam runs into Fu Rinzee Sherpa , who quickly changes his oxygen , and tells him to head down , as there ’ s still quite a way to go to the summit .
Steve , Pema Gelze Sherpa , Phil , Phurba Wangchhu Sherpa , and Stu all summit around the same time . Phil takes a few moments to propose to the love of his life , Hannah , on top of the world using the emergency satellite phone . It was so windy and there was such a poor connection , he wasn ’ t sure if she had said yes ! What Hannah didn ’ t know is that Phil had met the second love of his life on Everest that day .
Liam passes AC and Norbu Sherpa just below the south summit . With a huge smile and a big hug , she pushed on to become the second Swedish woman in history to summit Everest from the South Col . A few hours later , she was proudly waving the Swedish and Finnish Flags with her personal prayers and messages on .
Within a few long , cold hours , the team was back together , congratulating each other on this huge success , and sending more emotional messages to family and friends back home .
Everyone passes through camp one and into the Khumbu icefall for the final time , arriving back at base camp for a night of fellowship and celebration , hoping to leave by helicopter for Lukla and Kathmandu the following morning .
The final celebrations take place in the world-famous Rum Doodle Restaurant , the endpoint for many of the expeditions that had gone before them . It ’ s tradition that all climbers who summit Everest sign their name on the wall of this famous landmark . It ’ s surreal to read the names and dates of these legends . Edmond P Hillary , 29th May 1953 . Chris Bonington , 24th April , 1975 , fourth time lucky . The list goes on .
merseylife . com 23