Can Everest’s North Face Be Climbed?–Da!: TWC regulars know that TWC loves Russian climbers, because they are always pulling the craziest sh#t, and having the most fun while they are doing it. March is Everest expedition time, as all the teams that hope to go to the top of the world in the coming months start assembling in Nepal and hiking in. And among the teams this year is a group of 14 Russkies who are not content to simply follow all the fixed ropes and ladders to the top via the traditional highway to the sky route on the Nepal side. Instead, this collection of dream teamers–Russia”s best climbers, and some of the best climbers in the world, in fact–are planning to go up the hard way. Which is to say, they plan to get to the top by pioneering a new route straight up the middle of Everest’s North Face. This is a monster climb, one of the hardest in the world, and to even attempt it is mountain climbing hubris on a magnitude that deserves prostration and cries of “We are not worthy” from all the wannabees and vanity climbers who are hoping to bag Everest at the end of a rope on a guided expedition. The Russians are already on their way out of Katmandu, after partying up a storm in classic Russian climbing fashion, and are headed to Ama Dablam for a nice, little warm-up climb. When questions were raised about whether the team would be using performance enhancing drugs, the Russians just laughed and noted their performance enhancer of choice happens to be vodka. “Let other people be tormented by how much the Russian can drink on the Northern Face of Everest,” a spokesperson scoffed. They’ve packed their guitars, too. This expedition is going to be a great one. Stay tuned…



Everest’s 8848 Meter North Face: “Leaping Lenin, Viktor, we’re going up THAT? At least it won’t be hard to keep the vodka cold….”