German mountaineer Jost Kobusch is preparing for an extraordinary winter expedition to Mount Everest, aiming to become the first climber to successfully summit the world’s highest peak via the West Ridge route during winter. The 34-year-old plans to take on the 8,849-metre mountain alone, without supplemental oxygen, making the expedition an exceptionally demanding test of high-altitude mountaineering.
According to a Reuters report, Kobusch is travelling to Nepal this week to begin preparations for the climb, which he hopes to undertake towards the end of December. His proposed expedition will also be conducted without the assistance of guides above the base camp.
Who is Jost Kobusch?
Kobusch, who comes from Borgholzhausen in Germany, has previously made three attempts to climb Mount Everest in 2019, 2021 and 2024. However, severe winds prevented him from advancing beyond 7,540 metres during those expeditions.
For his latest attempt, he has selected the West Ridge, a technically challenging route that has never witnessed a successful winter summit. Explaining his choice, Kobusch said his interest lies in the beauty and experience of alpine climbing.
“West Ridge is more beautiful, and as an alpinist I am looking for this beauty,” he said while speaking in Kathmandu.
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More than 10,000 climbers have reached Everest’s summit since Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa first conquered it in 1953. However, winter expeditions remain relatively uncommon. Official figures cited by The Independent indicate that only 14 climbers have successfully reached the summit between December and February. None has accomplished the feat through the West Ridge.
Why a winter Mount Everest expedition is extremely dangerous
Winter climbing on Everest presents challenges far beyond those encountered during the regular spring climbing season. Temperatures in the death zone, located above 8,000 metres, can fall to minus 40 degrees Celsius or even lower. Fierce winds, freezing conditions and limited daylight further increase the risks.
Despite these obstacles, Kobusch is attracted to the mountain’s remote and less crowded winter landscape. He told Reuters that he wants to experience Everest away from the crowds associated with the regular climbing season.
“My ultimate goal is to be the best alpinist that I can be,” he said.
“For me it is about experiencing Everest in its purest stage … that is what I am looking for,” he added.
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Before attempting the summit, Kobusch plans to climb several smaller peaks as part of his preparation.
The West Ridge has previously forced other winter expeditions to retreat. In February 2020, four Sherpa climbers abandoned their attempt after 34 hours of continuous snowfall made conditions increasingly dangerous. The team had reached close to the third camp at 7,100 metres before deciding to turn back.
Kobusch’s December expedition will therefore be a significant test of endurance and technical ability, as he attempts to achieve a historic winter ascent of Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen.