Everest 2002

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Karma Rita Sherpa on the final steps of the Southeast Ridge Route on Everest, Nepal, May 18, 2002.

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The shadow of Mount Everest stretches to the western horizon at sunrise from the 28,750 foot South Summit on the Southeast Ridge of Everest. Visible in the fireground is the serrated ridge of Nuptse leading down to the Western Cwm.

Climbers on Everest's South Summit (28,750 feet) as viewed from the Hillary Step on the Southeast Ridge, Nepal.

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Climbers on the 28,750 foot South Summit of Everest at 7:00 AM on May 18, 2002.

Monks blow sacred conch shells from the window of Thyangboche Monastery, Solukhumbu, Nepal, as a call to prayer.

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Ngawang Sherpa crosses a massive crevasse on a ladder; at 18,000 feet in the Khumbu Icefall, Everest, Nepal.

Prayer flags flutter at sunrise above Khumbu Basecamp on Mount Everest with Cholatse and Tawoche in the background.

Dave Hahn leads a group of climbers into the Khumbu Icefall in early morning with Pumori rising behind.

Climbers cross a ladder in the lower Khumbu Icefall on Mount Everest.

Climbers cross a ladder in the lower Khumbu Icefall on Mount Everest.

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Climbers watch a huge avalanche come by - too close for comfort - in the Khumbu Icefall on Mt. Everest, Nepal.

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Jody Thompson crosses a crevasse in the Khumbu Icefall, Everest, Nepal.

Jody Thompson tries on a Hornbein (Maytag) oxygen mask at Everest Basecamp, 2002. Designed by Tom Hornbein with help from Fred Maytag for the 1963 American Mount Everest Expedition, the design was solid and timeless, used by climbers (including me) for 40+ years.