SOAR MT. EVEREST!

Abstract

Let us learn to soar Mt. Everest! Living Tibetans and Nepali need to ascend to the heavens in the modern sailplane to follow the spirits of their ancestors and gods, but to once again return to live another day. With sufficient experience, as demonstrated by the current commercial climbing activities, ascents of Everest with sailplanes may become an alternative means to "climb" the peak, perhaps the ultimate ascent and, no doubt, the most environentallyfriendly means. Atmospheric soundings, made near the north-side of Mt. Everest, were analyzed using the ALPTHERM convection model. On the few days in late April and early May with the warmest and driest surface conditions and no stable layers aloft, the model predicted "blue" thermals strong enough to carry a sailplane to the summit of Everest. Sites for a temporary airstrip to winch launch and retrieve gliders were identified close enough to the summit that the soaring attempts would be local flights, not cross-country flights. Glider support from either the Chinese or Indians may be possible and logistic support would be straightforward using a commercial climbing agency.