Khumbu Icefall: Everest’s Most Frightening Entryway
A climber crossing Khumbu Icefall
Everest is a place holding many wonders and dangers. The Khumbu Icefall remains one of the most frightening and beautiful sights. The hypnotic beauty shining with a golden hue at dawn is a sight one takes to their grave.
The trekkers in Everest Base Camp seek the surreal view. The mesmerizing dawn and dusk are beautiful from a distance. Climbers know the terror of crossing the Khumbu Icefall, also known as Khumbu Glacier. And it's at the beginning of attempting to climb Everest.
The frozen river stood as a rite of passage for climbers. Khumbu Icefall is as iconic as it is feared. Ice blocks and crevasses guard the southern route to Everest. Every step taken increases the risk. It also puts them closer to the dream of summiting Everest.
Where is Khumbu Icefall?
Is Khumbu Icefall way up? No, the terrifying, yet equally beautiful ice river isn’t that far from the base camp. Moreover, Everest Base Camp is approximately 1 kilometer (0.62 miles) away from the Icefall. Khumbu Icefall sits at a latitude of 27° 55' 55.20” N and a longitude of 86° 48' 18.00” E.
The Khumbu glacier moves around 1.2 meters downwards every day. Similarly, it takes around 4.3 years to reach base camp. Khumbu Icefall originates at an elevation of approximately 5,900 meters.
It stretches for 2 kilometers. The river ends at around 5,400 meters altitude near the EBC.
Khumbu Icefall is part of the Khumbu Glacier. Yes, the very same originating in the Western Cwm. The ice river is a major landmark on Everest. It stretches from Camp 1 to Base Camp.
First Test of Everest
Anyone wanting to climb Everest must cross the icefall. As such, many mountaineers call it the rite of passage. One of the most dangerous sections of the mountain is at the beginning. Climbers with the skills needed to cross the Khumbu Icefall are the only ones to go further.
The mountain puts climbers through many tests. It could be their physical and mental strength. Or climbers face obstacles on the path. Icefall is the first phase of the ascent.
How deep is the Khumbu Icefall?
How long does the Khumbu Icefall run? Around two kilometers. And how deep is the icefall? The depth of it varies depending on the location. To put it simply, the ice near the origin is deeper and shallower at the end.
Only estimations of the depth of Khumbu Icefall are available. The deepest parts of the icefall are 40+ meters thick. The ice near the end is less than 20 meters thick.
That’s not all. The icefall’s width is different in various places. The widest part of the ice river stretches for over half a mile. It is said to be around 800 meters.
Why is the Khumbu Icefall the deadliest part of Everest?
It’s not the lack of oxygen that makes the Khumbu Icefall so dangerous. The constantly shifting ice makes it an ever-changing maze. The deep crevasses and unstable ice blocks keep the most seasoned climbers on their toes.
The ice flows one meter per day, regularly making the ladders and ropes unstable. Climbers cross the ice river at dawn. Avalanches are a regular thing as the sun heats the ice or unstable seracs.
In 2014, an avalanche killed sixteen Sherpas. The climbers and Sherpas began their ascent according to the schedule. But when with precautions and preparations, these Sherpas lost their lives. This further highlighted the unpredictability and lethality of the icy obstacle.
Crevasses in Khumbu Icefall
Deep and vertical crevasses scatter in the Khumbu Icefall. The constantly moving glacial ice created these hidden threats. The scariest thing is that these crevasses are hundreds of feet deep.
Climbers must stay alert about their footing. Many of these death traps are well hidden in the ice and snow. At times, crevasses are covered by fissures. The fragile snow bridges cover the surface of such a place. They break under the weight of the climber.
Climbers take aluminum ladders, ropes, and planks to cross the Khumbu Icefall. They place these items carefully over the gaps. But normal climbers can’t identify the safe places. A specialized team of Sherpas, Icefall Doctors, scouts, and install these paths. Every day, they need to find a new place to climb.
How long does it take to cross the Khumbu Icefall?
How long does it take to cross the Khumbu Icefall? A couple of hours, maybe? Or around four? Far from it. A climber spends six to twelve hours crossing the icefall.
A mountaineer weaves through the icy maze and climbs towering ice walls. They cross crevasses and certain death over a wobbly ladder. The Khumbu Icefall cross is painfully slow and mentally exhausting.
Climb Early in the Morning or Risk Everything
Climbers start at the dead of night to four a.m. to go past the Khumbu Icefall. During the night, the ice remains firm and less likely to shift, or worse, collapse.
With the sun, the risk of the journey rises at dawn. The heat from the sun melts snow bridges and weakens seracs. The deadly route becomes a certain death trap. As such, timing the cross is everything.
Why can it take almost half a day?
The concept of “regular time” goes out the window in the Khumbu Icefall. The condition of the place changes daily. Aside from starting from scratch each day, there are other factors at play.
Hillary Step isn’t the only place where climbers face traffic jams. Jams could affect mountaineers at the narrow crossing. When it happens, all you do is wait. You wait, clipped on a rope before you can move again. Scarily, it could take hours.
The harrowing 2014 Avalanche
Climbers need to take extreme caution while crossing the Khumbu Icefall. Even if we follow the safety guidelines, things can always go wrong. As such, the icefall cross remains one of the unpredictable threats on Everest.
One of the darkest reminders of the uncertainty was in 2014. A gigantic block of ice collapsed right on top of the icefall. The fall triggered an avalanche that tore through the Khumbu Icefall on April 18, 2014. It came crashing down around 6:45 a.m. Nepali time.
The avalanche killed sixteen Sherpas that day. The 2014 tragedy is among the deadliest on Everest. It is alongside the 2015 Earthquake and the 1996 Everest Disaster.
Khumbu Icefall isn’t just a physical challenge. It also challenges the climbers emotionally. Every mountaineer knows the risk of Icefall. It stands as Everest’s most dangerous gate and is hauntingly beautiful.
Deaths at Khumbu Icefall
The official Himalayan Database records 44 deaths in the icefall between 1953 and 2016. No deaths were recorded between 2017 and 2021.
There have been two major catastrophes on the ice river of Everest. Six Sherpas met their end in 1970. They were part of the Japanese Everest Skiing Expedition. The Sherpas died from an avalanche on April 5, 1970.
Also Read: Everest Fatality: How many people have lost their lives
Who faces the most risk in Khumbu Icefall?
Sherpas face the greatest risk at the Khumbu Icefall. A climber crosses the ice river three or four times at most. A Sherpa passes through it over 20 times. The death rate of Nepali Sherpas far exceeds that of foreigners at the Icefall. They ferry gear, set routes, and prepare camps.
Prayer flags flutter above the stone chortens all over Everest Base Camp. These are the memorials for those who will never return. The names carved in those stones tell the story of courage, duty, and more.
Khumbu Icefall Today: Landscape Shift in a Hotter World
The one constant is the unpredictable nature of the Khumbu Icefall. Now, a new layer of uncertainty on the Icefall affects climbers. The rapidly changing climate is affecting the Khumbu Glacier.
The Icefall was mostly stable during the pre-monsoon spring. Khumbu Icefall today sees a greater seasonal variation. The warmer temperatures melt the ice faster. It causes a more frequent collapse and thinner snow bridges over deep crevasses.
The mountaineering community stepped up its efforts to improve safety. GPS tracking, real-time weather forecasting, and ice monitoring tools assist in route planning. Similarly, Icefall Doctors install ropes and ladders with greater care.
Dangers in Khumbu Icefall Unchanged:
The baseline danger of Khumbu Icefall remains unchanged. Yes, despite the new safety advancements. Furthermore, the creeping effects of Global warming loom ever so largely.
The Khumbu Glacier is retreating. Ice towers collapse much quicker. And the entire region is becoming increasingly unstable every year. It is a chilling reminder that even the mightiest part of Everest falls to time.
Khumbu Icefall: An impression that lasts
Even from a distance, Khumbu Icefall leaves you with a lasting impression. Watching the river of ice from the Everest Base Camp is like viewing chaos from the stillness. The Icefall appears like a frozen waterfall. Those towering blocks of ice are stacked, twisted, and jagged.
The view is both terrifying and mesmerizing. A trekker can’t help but feel awe. The sheer size and magnitude of Icefall demand your utmost respect. The duality of Khumbu Icefall represents beauty and power.
Climbers take the view quietly. They know Khumbu Icefall will be their first and most dangerous test on their quest for the summit. And for those returning, emotions run even deeper.
Khumbu Icefall is a frozen battlefield.
Many other climbers describe the Icefall as a frozen battlefield. Every creak and groan from the ice can cause a collapse. Some find the thrill of crossing the Khumbu Icefall. Others express their pure terror. Yet no climber ever forgets the Icefall.
What Conrad Anker once said still rings true. “The Khumbu Icefall is a place where the mountain decides if you’re allowed to pass.”
Travel Tips for Visitors: Witness the Khumbu Icefall Without the Climb!
You don’t have to be a climber to watch the beauty and power of Khumbu Icefall. One can witness the mesmerizing view of the Icefall up close at Everest Base Camp. The ice river flows a couple of hundred meters from the campsite.
The best time to visit is during the Spring (April to May) and Autumn (September to November) seasons. The sky is clear, and the temperatures are manageable. The Khumbu Icefall is most photogenic in Spring and Autumn. As it is a peak climbing season, you might run into a climber gearing up for an expedition.
You can find the best prices for a trek to EBC on our website. Find the perfect package catered to your needs with us, Himalayan Trekkers. Taking a guided group trek is recommended for first-timers. But you can also book a solo trek if you are experienced enough.
While at the Icefall, remember, it isn’t only an attraction. It is also a sacred and deadly land. Many people lost their lives in the Icefall. Be respectful to the mountain and avoid going too close to the Icefall.
A place of beauty and a place to fear: Khumbu Icefall
Khumbu Icefall is more than just another frozen obstacle to the Everest summit. It is a place where beauty collides with danger. It carries a heavy weight of countless untold stories. To trekkers, it is a humbling sight. But for climbers, it’s a test of courage and fate.
No photo or video can capture the true essence of the Khumbu Icefall. You can admire the beauty from afar. Moreover, you can dare to cross the treacherous place. One thing is for certain: Khumbu Icefall leaves a lasting impression.
The deadly Icefall reminds us that mountains aren’t for climbing. They are something that commands respect. To be remembered and felt in the deepest part of the human soul.
How to cross the Khumbu Icefall despite Danger?
Khumbu Icefall is among the hardest trails to cross on Everest. Despite the dangers on the treacherous path, people found a way to overcome. There aren’t many ways to cross the Icefall. The climbers follow strict rules on their journey crossing the Khumbu Icefall.
The Way Climbers Cross Khumbu Icefall
Tools and Preparations:
Mountaineers need technical skill, physical fitness, and razor-sharp focus. At a minimum, climbers must be proficient in:
Using crampons and ice axes for balance, traction, and self-arrest.
Clipping into fixed ropes and moving efficiently with ascenders and carabiners.
Ladder crossings — walking across aluminum ladders tied over crevasses while wearing crampons, often high above the ice floor.
Crevasse rescue techniques in case of a fall.
Efficient rope handling and teamwork on mixed ice and snow terrain.
High-altitude climbing skills, including proper breathing and pacing above 5,000 meters.
Icefall Doctors:
A specialized team of Sherpa scouts for the safest route. They install the fixed ropes and ladders for the climbers. Icefall Doctors set the path every day due to the glacial movement.
Timing and Swiftness:
Timing and speed are everything while crossing the Khumbu Icefall. The climbers and Icefall Doctors move before sunrise. Furthermore, crossing the dangerous place swiftly becomes their priority. Crossing the Icefall before the sun even rises is their safest bet.
Teamwork and Communication:
Sherpas and climbers climb in various groups. They need effective teamwork to cross the Khumbu Icefall. Communication becomes the next factor keeping the climbers alert from hazards.
Alertness:
Precautions are better than rescue. As such, climbers keep an eye out for any potential dangers. They pay close attention to their surroundings.
The climbers cross the Khumbu Icefall despite the dangers by practicing safety habits. Yet they still need an unbreakable will to complete the journey.
FAQs about the Khumbu Icefall
Is it safe to walk to the Khumbu Icefall?
Yes, it’s safe to walk up to the edge of the Icefall from Everest Base Camp. But entering it is dangerous. Only trained climbers are allowed.
How do Sherpas manage repeated crossings?
Sherpas manage repeated crossings through expert training and an early start. They use fixed ropes, ladders, and specialized gear.
What gear is used to cross the Khumbu Icefall?
Climbers use crampons, harnesses, helmets, ladders, and ropes to ascend. To safely navigate the Icefall, they use ice axes.
Is there any alternative route that avoids the Khumbu Icefall?
There’s no alternate route on the south side. The north route (Tibet) avoids the Icefall. But it's logistically and politically more complex.
How deep is the Khumbu Icefall?
Forty-plus (Approx) meters near the starting point. And twenty (approx) meters near the end.
