The route up the North Ridge to Camp 3 is not technically difficult. Out of Camp 2 it moves through a series of small gullies. Near Camp 3 the slope steepens and is covered with loose shale. There are fixed ropes all the way and Everest's Northeast Ridge provides some shelter from the wind. Most climbers, including BGE, will be on oxygen. It takes 3 to 6 hours to make the climb depending on fitness. Camp 3 covers a broad area just below the Northeast ridge. Tent sites are few and small. Most teams, including BGE, will not stay at Camp 3 until the night before their summit attempt. On summit day they start out on fixed ropes before dawn for the Northeast Ridge.
