Shishapangma Expedition 2003
the camps

First we have to get there. We did a day trip up to depot camp then later stayed the night. To this point is just walking so we stored our One Sport boots, crampons and axes here. We camp on rock-covered ice.

From Depot camp flags show a route thru the penitentés.
Our first trip thru took around three and half hours, later moving fast but with a load took around 30 minutes.

Once thru the penitentés the route ascends a flattish glacier that steepens and near Camp 1 is crevassed.

Camp 1 can be extremely windy and several tents were destroyed, but none of ours.

Finally at Camp 2 the mountain looks more doable, except for the altitude. Often teams put Camp 2 much closer to the ridge on the left.
Camp 3 is the flat area on the left ridge.

Leaving Camp 2 for Camp 3.

There was rope fixed for part of the climb to the ridge and we temporarily fixed our own for the higher sections.

We can see a long way from C3. More importantly the weather was looking good for the next day.