Everest Alone in Winter via West Ridge

Everest Alone in Winter via West Ridge

Author: Francis Tapon February 28, 2026 Duration: 30:05

Jost Kobusch, a 32-year-old German mountaineer who summited Denali in winter, is attempting what some experts give a 1% chance of success: he wants to summit Everest in winter, alone, without supplemental oxygen, and following a rarely climbed route, the dangerous West Ridge.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=b1QtNL4CqJo

In this WanderLearn Show, Jost discusses his overall goal, the extreme winter conditions at Everest’s altitude, being blown off the mountain on past attempts, why he chose the West Ridge, details on route maps, filming mishaps, rope use, when he might change his plan, the story of Mallory and Irvine, and what it would mean if he died after summiting.

Timeline

00:00 Jost’s goal

01:00 Everest is 9,000 meters in winter

06:00 Blown off the mountain

07:20 Why West Ridge Route?

08:23 Map of Route

13:25 Filming Disasters

19:00 How Jost uses rope

21:00 When would he change?

23:30 Mallory & Irvine

24:30 What if he dies after summitting?

26:30 Follow Jost

Credits

In the video interview, you’ll see some b-roll from the following sources:

ALONE video:

3D Everest Map

Jost Photos by Daniel Hug

In my next interview with Jost, what would you like me to ask him? Put it in the comments!

Here are my future questions for Jost:

- Will you fly down the mountain? (He loves to paraglide off mountains.)

- Why not do the route alone during May-June first as a proof of concept?

Connect

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There's a certain kind of travel that changes you, not just your location. It’s the slow, immersive kind where the journey itself becomes the teacher. In WanderLearn: Travel to Transform Your Mind & Life, Francis Tapon acts as your guide into this world, exploring how leaving familiar ground can fundamentally reshape your perspective. This isn't about quick tips or itineraries; it's about the deeper conversations that happen at the crossroads of culture, society, and personal growth. Each episode delves into how we engage with places and people, often weaving in discussions about the role of modern technology in both enabling and complicating these profound experiences. You'll hear stories and insights that challenge the conventional tourist mindset, pushing toward a more thoughtful, engaged way of moving through the world. Francis draws from a wealth of experience to discuss concepts like vagabonding and deep travel, making the case that the greatest souvenirs aren't trinkets, but transformed thoughts. Tuning into this podcast feels like sitting down with a well-traveled friend who understands that the real destination is often a shift within yourself. It’s for anyone who believes that travel, at its best, is a powerful catalyst for learning and living differently.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

WanderLearn: Travel to Transform Your Mind & Life
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