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[click to zoom] photo: Simonson

For the third consecutive spring, The Mountain Zone returns to Everest. This year, we'll cybercast live the day to day activities of The Mallory & Irvine Research Expedition, as leader Eric Simonson and other team members look for evidence of the legendary 1924 attempt on the mountain.

Simonson and his team of world-class Himalayan climbers will search high on Everest's North Ridge for clues to the fate of mountaineering's infamous early explorers, George Mallory and Andrew Irvine. How high did these men climb on their summit day before mysteriously disappearing into history? Were they in fact the first to summit Everest? Mountain Zone readers will be able to follow right here all the excitement as it happens.

[click to zoom] photo: Simonson

For those who are physically able, a limited number of positions remain on the trek from the fabled city of Lhasa to Everest Base Camp on the north side of Everest in Chinese Tibet. You could join the trek to Everest Base Camp in Tibet and see mountaineering history in the making.

This rare adventure begins in Kathmandu, where we make final preparations and get entry visas for Tibet. Staying near the bustling Thamel district of the city, trekkers can visit the many spiritual centers within the city, including the ancient Buddhist stupas at Swayambunath and Bodhnath, or the sacred Hindu temple at Pashpatineth.

[click to zoom] photo: Simonson

We get our first taste of the grandeur of the Himalaya during our flight to the ancient Tibetan capital of Lhasa (12,000 ft.). We tour the magnificent Potala, historic seat of Tibetan government and pre-exile home to the successive Dalai Lamas. We join Tibetan pilgrims at Lhasa's holiest circumambulation circuit at the Barkhor plaza, encircling the Jokhang, the most sacred and active of Tibet's temples.

Then we hit the Friendship Highway, traveling overland discovering more of the richness of Tibet. We stay in Shigatse (12,800 ft.), where our hosts provide an outstanding tour of the Tashilhunpo monastery, home of the famous Panchen Lama. After more acclimatization in Shegar (14,400 ft.), also called New Tingri, we head over the spectacular Pang-La Pass (16,800 ft.), with Everest now dominating the Himalayan horizon beyond. We camp at the Rongbuk Monastery, highest in the world at 16,350 ft., where we begin our walk to the flanks of Everest.

[click to zoom] photo: Simonson

After several wind-swept acclimatization days at Base Camp (17,000 ft.), we move through rugged glacial terrain up the East Rongbuk Glacier to Camp 1 (18,300 ft.). Next, we ascend slowly to Camp 2 (20,000 ft.), weaving our way through massive ice formations. The strongest trekkers will finally reach the thin air of Advanced Base Camp at 21,300 ft., where Everest towers above and expeditions from around the globe gather to begin the technical ascent of the Mountain. We spend a few days here with the Everest climbers and participate in the highest archeological studies in the world.

Descent is soon welcome, and we retrace our steps to Base Camp, feeling a lot better within hours. Our overland return to Kathmandu includes an overnight in Nyalam, spectacular vistas of Shishapangma from 17,977 ft. Tsong-La Pass, and a crazy border crossing in Zhangmu. Back in Kathmandu, we enjoy another full day of opportunity for shopping, site-seeing, or just plain R and R before our flight back to the USA via Bangkok.

[click to zoom] photo: Simonson

Trip Cost
$6,000 — includes everything Kathmandu to Kathmandu. Expenses not included are international airfare, hotels, and meals in route to/from Kathmandu, Kathmandu airport entry/exit fees, meals while in Kathmandu before/after climb, satellite charges for personal use of the Base Camp e-mail system, and personal beverages during the expedition.

Travel Dates
Depart USA on March 30, overnight in Bangkok, arrive in Kathmandu on April 1, and then fly on to Lhasa on April 3. Depart Kathmandu on April 23, overnight in Bangkok, then return to USA on April 24.

Join The Mountain Zone and Expedition 8000 for the adventure of a lifetime.

Come Along
To sign up or for more information, email Eric Simonson at: trek99@mountainguides.net