Everest Route Through Khumbu Icefall Finally Opened After 19-Day Delay, sign of good news to the climbers.
In a major breakthrough for global mountaineering, Nepal has officially reopened the climbing route to Mount Everest through the treacherous Khumbu Icefall after an unprecedented 19-day delay, bringing renewed excitement and opportunity for the 2026 expedition season in Nepal . A Challenging Start to the 2026 Everest Season The 2026 Everest spring climbing season faced an unusual setback when a massive, unstable ice formation (serac) blocked the only viable route through the Khumbu Icefall, one of the most dangerous sections of the ascent. This obstruction halted route preparation for nearly three weeks, leaving more than 400 climbers and Sherpa guides waiting anxiously at base camp. The Khumbu Icefall , located between 5,400m and 6,100m, is notorious for its constantly shifting glaciers, deep crevasses, and towering ice structures. This year’s delay was caused by an exceptionally large and fractured serac, making route fixing particularly risky and complex. Breakthrough b...