The pictorial above shows the BGE's planned Northeast Ridge Route. The route requires more technical climbing skills than the South Route, however it is not a risky as it does not cross the crevasse filled Khumbu ice field. A Chinese team was the first to summit via the Northeast Ridge in May of 1960. Nova has a site that gives a terrific description of the route with 360 degree photo views. It is well worth the "click".
Note: Nova's camp numbering is in red roman numerals. Nova Website
The route starts at Base Camp (17,000') on a gravel plain just below the terminus of the Rongbuk Glacier. Climbers trek 13 miles up the moraine of East Rongbuk Glacier to Advance Base Camp (21,300'). The first trip out, an over night stop is made at an Interim Camp (19,500') on the north side of Changtse. ABC sits on glacial moraine below the North Col, the low point of Everest's North Ridge. Climbers acsend the neve, ice face, of the East Rongbuk on fixed rope to the North Col, Camp1 (23,100'). From the North Col, they move up the rocky North Ridge to Camp 2 (25,600')and then to Camp 3 (27,200'). Camp 3 is directly below the Northeast Ridge. The final push for the summit is made from Camp 3 up the Northeast Ridge. On the Northeast Ridge climbers must scale 3 vertical rock faces known as the Steps. Above the Steps is the Summit Pyramid with slopes of 50 to 60 degrees. The top the Pyramid is 260' below the Summit. A narrow snow-crested ridge with shear faces on each side must be traversed to reach the summit. For as detailed description of the route along with photos go to the links listed on the Internal Links page.
Satellite Photo (looking southeast) of Everest and Surrounding Peaks
