Jost Kobusch abandons ambitious Everest solo winter attempt

German mountaineer Jost Kobusch has terminated his ambitious project to climb the West Ridge of Everest alone, in winter and without supplemental oxygen. He planned to climb the highest mountain in the world via the Lho La col above the Khumbu icefall, the West Shoulder, the West Ridge and the narrow Hornbein Couloir on the steep north face of Everest. This route has never been climbed before in winter. As previously reported, on 27 December 2024 the 32-year-old reached an altitude of 7,537 meters and, in doing so, he succeeded in his main aim of climbing higher than on any of his previous two attempts.

Kobusch cited four reasons for terminating his attempt. Firstly, as a result of the disputes in the Khumbu region, helicopter rescues are currently impossibile. Although he has never needed a helicopter rescue, the German wants to play it safe. Secondly, as a result of the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that rocked Tibet and Nepal on 7 January 2025, and the ensuing aftershocks, he believes the already risky route is even more prone to rock and icefall. Thirdly, due to his back injury at the end of 2023 he had been unable to train properly, meaning he is not as fit as he needs to be for an eventual push. And fourthly, he has already fulfilled his aim of going further than anybody before him on the west ridge in winter.

Kobusch concluded "For this project to happen everything needs to align and right now there are a lot of things that are counter indicators. I’d rather focus on going back to training, building skill and becoming a better alpinist so that I come back stronger. I’m in this for the long run, my goal is to climb Everest in the winter by myself via the west ridge - not some record of going a bit higher than before. There was so much learning in my time here already that I’m ready to make the changes in training that are necessary to reach the next level. I also believe that by ending the expedition now I can begin training faster and have a better shot next time."

 

 

 

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