North Col Camp 1 (23,200 feet or 7,100 metres)
The camp at North Col is extremely windy. A pronounced ridge stretches from the North Col up towards the Northeast Ridge which is met at 8,383 metres. The lower portion of this route is an easy snow ridge. Further up, there is a mix of rocky terrace and steep terrain with a trace of a trail. In this area, there are several possibilities to pitch a tent. They differ in the amount of space available and the exposure to the winds.

Camp 2 (24,600 feet or 7,500 metres)
With most expeditions, the high camps are used for further acclimatisation as the team members attempt to climb to the summit during the next few weeks. In the high camps, each individual climber must take care of their own cooking.

This is the first of three high camps in which sherpas set up the camps ahead of time including tents, stoves, gas, sleeping pads, and food. The route to Camp 3 is mainly snow until around 25,000 feet. From that point on team members must trudge through snow and rocks. The real problem is the wind. Fixed ropes help guide each climber and offer some security. A slip on this route could mean death by way of the slope leading to the Rongbuk Glacier.

Camp 3 (25,600 feet or 7,800 metres)
With most expeditions, the high camps are used for further acclimatisation as the team members attempt to climb to the summit during the next few weeks. In the high camps, each individual climber must take care of their own cooking.

This is the first hard step on the climb. At this height, some expedition members may require oxygen even during sleep. Any personal equipment must be carried by the climber and not by Sherpas. Tents are tied down to anything the Sherpas can find (debris left by other expeditions included) and anchored with nets and ropes. The roar of the wind is deafening. Many climbers wear earplugs or listen to music to drown out the noise.

The wind often diminishes above Camp 3 as this is where the North Ridge merges with the North Face causing a strange wind effect. The climb from Camp 3 to Camp 4 is over snow, rock, and ice. There is a fixed rope to help climbers follow the safest route. Oxygen becomes a requirement as Camp 4 nears.

Camp 4 (27,231 feet or 8,300 metres)
With most expeditions, the high camps are used for further acclimatisation as the team members attempt to climb to the summit during the next few weeks. In the high camps, each individual climber must take care of their own cooking.

Oxygen becomes a requirement at Camp 4. This camp is small in comparison to other camps and finding something with which to anchor tents is difficult. The journey to the summit starts in the early morning hours.

If Monges makes it to this point and is feeling well, there is a good chance weather permitting that he’ll make it to the summit.

According to accounts of those who have reached the Northeast Ridge, the view is spectacular if you can see through your oxygen mask, which makes it hard to see your feet.

Summit (29,035 feet or 8,850 metres)
Most who reach the summit stay for only minutes, due to the severe climate and having to descend back to Camp 4 before dark.