We just got confirmation that a second rope team has passed over the crest of the West Face, and the other rope teams are clustered just below the crest, poised to reach it within approximately half an hour from now.
The West Face crest is followed by a plateau area, leading up to Misery Hill. From Misery Hill they'll cross the Summit Plateau before reaching the Summit Pinnacle.
We now know that the Northwest team was the first rope team to make the crest, followed about half an hour later by the East Coast team. Because individuals sometimes switch rope teams on the way up the mountain, we can't say for sure where individual climbers are on the mountain. The guides will report individuals as they reach the summit, and we'll post that news as it comes in.
Oops! So sorry... it's Hitomi, not Huitomi.
Nancy
Posted by: Nancy Howell | June 24, 2009 at 04:36 PM
WOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO! Way to go climbers, glad to hear that conditions are super sweet!
Best -Keith & Ibex
Posted by: Keith | June 24, 2009 at 01:25 PM
Our hearts are pounding as we read Maria's descriptive accounts which beautifully paint the pictures of what is happening on that glorious mountain!
Nancy & Huitomi
Posted by: Nancy Howell | June 24, 2009 at 12:01 PM