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West Ridge Route

6B | ED2 | VII Edit route
The West Ridge is a major, very difficult alpine route on Everest and is far less commonly climbed than the South Col or North Ridge routes. It is a serious objective with complex mixed climbing, route-finding challenges, and significant objective hazards on a remote side of the mountain.

Route Outline

West Nepal approach -> remote glacier and base camp
Climb the West Ridge and upper west face toward the summit pyramid
Pass difficult mixed and rock sections on the upper mountain
Reach the summit via the west side of the upper pyramid
Descend by the same route or via an established descent line as conditions allow

More routes on Mount Everest

South Col Route

5B | TD+/ED1 | V/VI
The standard Nepal-side route to Everest, first climbed by the 1953 British expedition, ascends the Khumbu Icefall, Western Cwm, Lhotse Face, and Southeast Ridge. It is a high-altitude expedition route with major objective hazards including crevasses, serac fall, avalanche danger, and extreme altitude exposure.
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North Ridge Route

5B | TD+/ED1 | V/VI
This is the principal Tibetan route to Everest, climbing the Rongbuk Glacier to the North Col and then following the North Ridge and Northeast Ridge to the summit. It is a very serious high-altitude route with long exposure, severe weather, and technical obstacles on the upper ridge, including the famous Steps.
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