We are still very excited at Base Camp, waiting for a quick window: Mingma David Sherpa

Everest and Lhotse are open for this season, as per common knowledge. Yet, multiple unverified reports suggest that a handful of climbers have tested positive for the noxious CoViD-19 at the Everest Base Camp. After 7th May, once the 12-member Sherpa team, led by Kami Rita Sherpa, opened the route to the highest mountain on earth, climbers are patiently biding their time to push for a summit to Everest.

Meanwhile, another route-opening team fixed ropes up till the summit of Lhotse yesterday at 6.45pm.

Even after the mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Nepal,  many climbers have gone on record to confess how the fear of rapid spread of the virus made them abandon their expeditions this season.
Notwithstanding, the ones who are still quite upbeat, are soon in anticipation of a summit on to the tallest mountain on planet, Everest (8848m).

Dream Wanderlust talks to Mingma 'David' Sherpa, the youngest to climb all fourteen 8000-meter peaks in the world. Currently, residing at the Base Camp, he sounds vigorously jovial while expressing present situation at the foothills of Everest as he awaits a window to take his clients for a successful ascent.

The interview is as noted down below:

DW: The first Sherpa team reached Summit of Everest on 7th May. Your thoughts on this.

Mingma David: The team was led by Kami Rita Sherpa, one of the greatest people in Nepal, the Himalayas, the world, as well as in our community. This was his 25th summit. It feels great! He selected his own team. 12 Sherpa climbers in Nepal. They started from Camp-4 at 6 o'clock in the morning and reached the summit at 6 o'clock in the evening. It was great!

DW: Explain the current situation at Everest Base Camp.

Mingma David: Currently, it is great. Everybody is in great spirit, resting and waiting for a good window to push for the summit bid.
A few are planning to climb Everest and Lhotse together. After 14th, there is a forecast of extremely high wind. So, climbers are looking for the days in between and aiming to reach Camp-4 at their earliest.

DW: What are your your thoughts on the possibility of next summit windows for climbers to summit Everest and Lhotse?

Mingma David: At the Base Camp, everyone is still very excited because last year it was not possible in Nepal. That is why, I believe, everyone is even more excited to climb this year. In total, 408 climbers are there only for Everest.

About covid, there was one person who tested positive but we don't mind because we are still very excited at the Base Camp about climbing. Currently, waiting for a quick window. Now that the route-opening is done, we are assuming that there may be two more windows again. So, no fear of traffic jam, I think, for all Sherpas and climbers.

DW: What about the  clients? How are they doing?

Mingma David: Beside Everest, there is another beautiful mountain, Pumori (7161m), which was climbed by four Nepalese climbers and two Indians on 10th May, 2021 at around 2.30pm. That's a good news for all others who are waiting for the main summit.

DW: What about your clients at Elite?

Mingma David: They're all good until now. Acclimatisation is on. Rotational movements are done up to Camp-3 (7100m) until yesterday. All are waiting for the summit push at the moment.

DW: What is your reaction on Kami Rita's 25th ascent on Everest?

Mingma David: I feel really happy about his 25th summit! It is great for our Nepalese mountaineering industry and for people, who like to climb. Also, for the people waiting at the Base Camp to climb. Really inspiring.

DW: What is the next plan of Elite Expeditions after this session?

Mingma David: We have plans for K2 and Broad Peak but everything is dependent on the current situation.

Photo: Mingma 'David' Sherpa