A busy time on Mt. Everest as summit bids continue

One of the busiest destinations on the adventure front these past couple of days as been the top of Mt. Everest, where on Sunday and Monday climbers attained the world's tallest peak from the south-side and north-side routes.

High winds, blowing snow and gridlock high on the more popular south route made for long, wearying nights for many.

Among those making the summit was Carina Raiha, the first female climber from Finland to set foot on the 29,035-foot summit. She shared her triumphant moment with the country's president, via satellite phone.

Other summit pushes were underway or planned for later this week. Among those still waiting to make the march to the top is 13-year-old Jordan Romero, who is attempting to become the youngest person to have climbed Everest.

The Southern California mountaineer, at last check, was at Advanced Base Camp on the north-side route. 

These are precarious times for all of those high on the mountain, to be sure. So far, though, most climbers have been fortunate. There has been only one known fatality this season, versus about 100 successful summit bids.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo of Mt. Everest courtesy of Explorers Web