Cybercasts

Hi Everyone,

Yesterday we hiked from Lobuche village and arrived to our high camp at 18,500ft.  The route was snowier than usual but madefor a nice climb to camp.  The team did very well in variable conditions of snow, ice and rock.  Today after a relaxed breakfast we left our high camp at 10:15am for the high point on Lobuche east at 19,600ft.  This year the conditions were excellent on the climb and great practice climbing some rock, and a steep snow and ice slope with fixed lines to the high point.  The route was in the best condition I’ve seen in the last several years.  We’ve had great weather and a good acclimatization rotation here on Lobuche East and will head back to Basecamp tomorrow morning.  We’ll probably be making some alternate acclimatization plans in the coming days as the Icefall route may be open now but will be very crowded which we will avoid if possible.  I’ll send some pics tomorrow when we are back in Basecamp.

Thanks for following along,
Ben Jones

Hello Everyone,

Today we are heading out from Basecamp to Lobuche for our first acclimatization rotation.  We will be gone 3 days and get to a new high point of around 19,000ft.

Thanks for following along,

Ben Jones

Hello Everyone,

The last couple of days in Basecamp we have been reviewing our skills before heading down to Lobuche East for our first acclimatization climb above Basecamp. The team is looking good as you can see from the photos. Tomorrow we will pack up and shower up and maybe squeeze in a preliminary cornhole tournament before heading down to Lobuche village the day after tomorrow.

As you may have read the route through the icefall is still not finished but so far it is not really affecting our climb. Hopefully soon a safe route will be established and other teams can start climbing. For now we are still right on schedule and after a good week of rest in Basecamp we are ready to start climbing.

Thanks for following along,

Ben Jones

In addition to being one of the world’s finest expedition guides, Ben Jones is also an accomplished photographer. Each of his 16 seasons on Everest have included a series of climber portraits taken while acclimatizing at Basecamp. The 2026 Team Portraits have arrived!

Hello Everyone,

We have been settling into Basecamp the last couple of days and yesterday we had our Puja ceremony to ask for a safe climb for all.  It’s always a serious but fun event with our entire team of Basecamp staff and climbing Sherpa.  Our team is doing great and we are thankful to be here.

Thanks for following along,

Ben Jones