Late last year I wrote to the SOTA MT (via the contact form on the site) asking about whether Everest could be added as an official SOTA peak so I could activate it this year. I didn’t officially hear back but I heard some comments that they (the MT) did deliberate a bit. Additionally, I also wrote to the Government of Nepal asking for a temporary license to operate in Nepal. After trying for over 6 months and never getting a clear response, I had to abandon the hopes of a SOTA on the summit. Probably all worked out for the best since an activation was the last thing on my mind on summit day.
On May 14th, I summitted Everest and used a HT to relay the news to base camp staff I guess that’s going to have to do for an “activation”. Too bad it’s not 500 points
Well it would only ever be 10 points with maybe a 3 point bonus for “Winter” activations.
Here’s another question is actual summit in Nepal or Tibet(China)? The high point is on the border so which country has the biggest AZ to claim the summit?
You can say we can just make some judgements and say it’s in Nepal but once we start making subjective judgements on these things then all kinds of problems appear in the MT inbox as people want special subjective judgements for their favourite summit or whatever.
So it’s objective criteria and full associations only as we have learnt from bitter experience that subjective decisions and partial associations will come back and bite us on the bum.
Edit: I wanted to mention that there are peaks in SOTA database that have summit on the border of more than one country like the Matterhorn. I understand there’s multiple reasons for not adding all obvious peaks into the database.
Great achievement buddy, something that has never really appealed to me, but Aconcagua is definitely on my bucket list! I’ve been eyeing it up for a couple of years! Watch this space
Hey Saurabh!
Congrats on making it up Everest, that’s great. Too bad you couldn’t have made it a SOTA activation, that would have been a first!
73,
John, K6YK
Andy’s point wasn’t that we can’t do it, but that we have a process for evaluating which association these go into, which is moot for Everest as there are neither a Nepal or a China association anyway.
Thanks! and wonderful, it was my first and I did the false polish traverse route with IMG. I still remember clearly when I was flying back home there was news about this virus….turned out to be a few long COVID years! Happy to help as you plan for your trip.
They have done winter ascents and fall ascents. In fact, we just saw two amazing ski descents on Everest this fall. One from each side (Nepal and China).
Just watched the descent. Great effort to carry the skis to the top for starters. I was surprised by the extent of the snow cover, lack of ice and good weather. Mallory and Irvine would have appreciated those. No sign of the ladders and other climbers. Navigating the Ice Fall on skis was a marvellous feat. Kudos.
Watched that video a few days back. It’s an incredible achievement, more so without additional oxygen. He could’ve had a go calling CQ on 2 meters and 70cm though after all that effort! (I jest!!)
Never skiied in my life, though I’d love to try some day. Inspirational viewing all the same. I actually bought a couple of books about Everest off of the back of watching that video.
This one:
and this one:
Hoping they are all good reads although I heard the last one is a bit controversial. Got some other books too at the same time if anyone is in to ultra running, kayaking, SUP etc. Might give folks some Christmas gift ideas perhaps.
Halfway through this. A good read so far. Would appeal to ultra runners or anyone who fancies tackling the full Pennine Way trail.
This one below is about one man’s attempt to kayak all of the Shipping Forecast map. Not started yet:
Congrats @N6RUN on an amazing achievement! What a memory to keep for the rest of your life. Very well done!
He did it in September this year. The usual climbing window in the Himalayas is in spring, just before the monsoon, especially in May. That is why, unlike the usual “Black Friday sale” crowds on Everest, the slopes in the video look almost deserted.
I guess that’s going to have to do for an “activation”. Too bad it’s not 500 points 
