Casper mountaineer Dr. Joe McGinley’s quest for his last of seven summits on seven continents and a quick ascent up Mount Everest’s north side received “disappointing news” Wednesday.
The Chinese, who control entry to the mountain’s north face, are not allowing foreigners into Tibet.
McGinley, who left Casper Sunday for the world’s highest mountain, said his German-led team has a backup plan.
“We always knew this was going to be a risk of climbing on the north side; however, it has now become a reality,” McGinley said. “Fortunately, our current guide company, Furtenbach Adventures, does operate on the Everest south side in Nepal. Currently, the plan is to move over to Nepal and the traditional south side climbing route of Everest.”
The change in plans means the team will target May 3 or May 4 to be on the south side Mount Everest base camp.
To ensure the team, which arrived physically prepared for high elevations, stays acclimated, they will do a climb on Mount Mera 19.5 miles from Everest prior to reaching Everest base camp.
“At almost 22,000 feet, this will be the second highest point I’ve ever climbed,” McGinley wrote.
The sports medicine physician said “flexibility” and “uncertainty” are part of the climbing environment, and he's “confident we will be prepared to address any challenges the south side may present.”
“I will once again, reassess the situation once at Everest base camp,” he wrote.
McGinley aborted his attempt to climb Mount Everest last May after finding crowded and unsafe conditions on the south side of the mountain — one of the reasons he selected the north side attempt this year.
In his quest to get the seven summits, McGinley has already conquered Antarctica’s Mount Vinson, Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mount Elbrus in Europe, Denali in North America, Mount Aconcagua in South America, and the Carstensz Pyramid in Indonesia.
Dale Killingbeck can be reached at dale@cowboystatedaily.com.
