KHUMBU ICEFALL

KHUMBU ICEFALL
An Everest hazard
The Khumbu Icefall, described as a 2,000-foot frozen waterfall not far above Base Camp, is considered one of the most dangerous sections of Mount Everest.
Most deaths during Everest expeditions occur in the icefall because of avalanches in the early spring.
The rapid movement of the Khumbu glacier over the steep rock underneath breaks the ice into s & eacute;rac (large, pointed masses of ice) cliffs and columns separated by huge crevasses, and causes repeated icefalls across the route between Base Camp and Camp I.
Exposed crevasses may be easy to avoid, but those buried under snow can form treacherous snow bridges through which unwary climbers can fall.
Source: everestpeaceproject.org