Everest | 1991 S Col-SE Ridge

A USA expedition to Everest in 1991 via S Col-SE Ridge, led by Robert Link, Edmund Viesturs. Summit reached on 15th May 1991. 9 members recorded.

Expedition Details

Field Value
ID 779
Imported 2026-03-06 18:04:49.359634
Expedition ID EVER91102
Peak ID EVER
Year 1991
Season 1
Host Country 1
Route 1 S Col-SE Ridge
Route 2 -
Route 3 -
Route 4 -
Nationality USA
Leaders Robert Link, Edmund Viesturs
Sponsor Ershler-Wendel Everest Expedition
Success 1 True
Success 2 False
Success 3 False
Success 4 False
Ascent 1 118
Ascent 2 -
Ascent 3 -
Ascent 4 -
Claimed False
Disputed False
Countries -
Approach -
Basecamp Date 1991-03-10
Summit Date 1991-05-15
Summit Time -
Summit Days 66
Total Days 69
Termination Date 1991-05-18
Termination Reason 1
Termination Notes -
High Point (m) 8849
Traverse False
Ski False
Paraglide False
Camps 4
Fixed Rope (m) 0
Total Members 8
Summit Members 1
Member Deaths 0
Total Hired 6
Summit Hired 0
Hired Deaths 0
No Hired False
O2 Used True
O2 None False
O2 Climb True
O2 Descent False
O2 Sleep True
O2 Medical False
O2 Taken False
O2 Unknown False
Other Summits -
Campsites BC(10/03,5350m),C1(01/04,6100m),C2(06/04,6500m),C3(19/04,7200m),C4(27/04,7900m),Smt(15/05)
Route Notes BC at normal site C1 at top of Icefall C2 in Western Cwm C3 on Lhotse Face C4 at Col. Took 12 hours to reach summit because of deep and dry loose snow; for every step took, slid back half a step; it was "mind-boggling." Started out on oxygen but about 9:30 am it ran out (leaky bottle) and carried on without it. Wendel back at C4 from C3 on 14th and went no higher and on 15th to C2 with Wangchu Sherpa. Goff climbed an hour with Viesturs above C4 and turned back tired, cold feet and not going fast enough; not mentally prepared for summit push. Amy Wendel got to C3 twice (1st time got sick, 2nd time not motivated). All members reached C3. All left BC 18th May. Nepalese expedition said they would not maintain icefall beyond 18th May. Wendels were disappointed and Hall Wendel wants to try again. Viesturs will bring fewer Americans and hire more Sherpas. Had stocked C4 for 12 people (all members and 4 Sherpas) and that needed too much hard work from guides (Wendels carried no loads). Will pitch C5 next tine for Wendel's ascent.
Accidents None
Achievement -
Agency Nepal Himal
Commercial Route True
Standard Route True
Primary Route False
Primary Member False
Primary Reference -
Primary ID -
Checksum 2450563
Year 1991
Summit Success True
O2 Summary Used
Route (lowercase) s col-se ridge

Members

9 recorded members.

Name Sex Year of Birth Citizenship Status Residence Occupation
David Carter M 1962 USA Climber Indianapolis, Indiana Lumber company manager & alpine guide Details Other expeditions
Steve Gall M 1957 USA Climber Woody Creek, Colorado Alpine guide & ski slope employee Details Other expeditions
Darrin Goff M 1961 USA Climber Tacoma, Washington Alpine guide & physical fitness director Details Other expeditions
Robert Chandler Link M 1958 USA Leader Ashford, Washington Alpine guide Details Other expeditions
Kurt F. Papenfus M 1957 USA Climber Golden, Colorado Emergency physician Details Other expeditions
Edmund Karl (Ed) Viesturs M 1959 USA Leader Seattle, Washington Veterinarian & alpine guide Details Other expeditions
Amy Wendel F 1968 USA Climber Wayzata, Minnesota Student Details Other expeditions
William Hall Wendel M 1943 USA Climber Wayzata, Minnesota Chief executive officer (Polaris Industries) Details Other expeditions
Wangchu Sherpa M - Nepal H-A Worker - - Details Other expeditions

References

2 recorded references.

Expedition ID Journal Author Title Publisher Citation Yak 94
EVER91102 AAJ Viesturs, Ed - - 66:202 (1992) -
EVER91102 - - http://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/12199220201/Asia-Nepal-Everest - - -