It’s Mount-Everest-climbing season, apparently – with the National Geographic team attempting to recreate the route used in the first American ascent of the mountain, the 1963 NG-sponsored American Mount Everest Expedition. The team is live-updating their progress online, with a live stream of photos, blog posts, and twitter updates. I think one of them’s using Instagram, too.

Incidentally – the mountain-climbing season claimed its second casualty yesterday, with Tshering Sherpa tripping on a ladder en route to Camp 2 and falling 45 metres to his death.

From the ‘Field Test On Everest’ blog:

Since we’re at the beginning of our expedition, our current dread is the Khumbu. It was once thought to be one of the most dangerous places on Everest, but statistical research by Professor Ray Huey at the University of Washington has shown that passing through the Icefall is far, far less dangerous than going for the summit. But that’s not how it feels when you’re inside the maw of the Khumbu!

You can also visit the photo gallery, and follow the expedition on Twitter.

[Source: NG]