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Eric Simonson at Advanced Base with a summit climb update. It is 11 o'clock in the morning and a number of things have happened in the last couple hours. The entire climbing team made it up the First Step and reached Camp VII.

At that point, Jake, and Tap, and Ang Pasang, and Dawa Nuru decided to turn back. After that Dave and Conrad continued to cross the traverse to the Second Step and worked their way on up into the Second Step, and ultimately Conrad was successful in free climbing the Second Step by an off-width crack to the left of the Chinese ladder. He had to leave his pack and oxygen at the base of the climb in order to do it. Dave ascended via the ladder and brought his pack up with him. They are now in route to the summit from the top of the Second Step. Conrad described the climb as being very strenuous—at sea level maybe 5.8 but at 28,300', more like 5.10.

Everything is going okay and the weather is holding. So in another couple of hours we hope to hear from them on the summit. The rest of the team is now descending to Camp VI, where at least some of them will remain in support. So, that is the blow by blow up to the minute, and I'll have more for you just as soon as we get the word. Talk to you later.

—Eric Simonson, Expedition Leader

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