First ski descent Lhotse expedition at Camp III as Icefall route opens KATHMANDU:With only one team attempting to climb the world’s fourth highest mountain in the Mt Everest region this autumn, the icefall doctors today opened a climbing route above the Base Camp by placing ropes and ladders on the treacherous section of the Khumbu icefall, according to the expedition organiser. “After several days of struggle and hard work, two icefall doctors along with other high altitude workers finally fixed a route above the Mt Everest Base Camp,’ Pemba Sherpa, co-founder of the Xtreme Climbers Treks and Expeditions, said. With the opening of route in icefall section early this morning, a four-member American team led by James White Morrison, along with five climbing Sherpas, has already headed to Camp III for acclimatisation rotation, Sherpa added. The team plans to make a record ski descent from the top of Mt Lhotse. According to him, other members of the team include Hilaree Nelson, Dutch Michael and Nicholas Kalis. Officials at the Department of Tourism said that only Morrison’s team has obtained ski and climbing permits for Mt Lhotse this season. Depending upon the weather condition, the team will make final summit push by the first week of October.