Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Mount Everest Foundation @mef-official.bsky.social · 22d

Our current funding round closes to applications on the 30th of this month.

If you're from the UK, New Zealand or Nepal and are planning an exploratory mountaineering or scientific expedition, don't miss your chance to apply ➡️ tinyurl.com/c2pnhhhn

A climber seen from behind advancing up a large snow field towards rocks.

1 2

Mount Everest Foundation @mef-official.bsky.social · Sep 1

A quick reminder that we support scientific expeditions as well as mountaineering ones and that our current funding round for both closes at the end of this month.

Don't miss your chance to apply ➡️ tinyurl.com/5c2xnxxj

Two young Nepali men smile at the camera as they collect samples from a river.

2 3

Reposted by Mount Everest Foundation

Mountain Research Initiative @mtnresearchmri.bsky.social · Aug 20

Planning a mountaineering or scientific expedition? The @mef-official.bsky.social offers grants for eligible expeditions. Deadlines: 30 Sept 2025 (for trips Dec 2025–mid-April 2026) and 31 Jan 2026 (for later trips). More info on eligibility & available funding options ➡️

Who We Fund

Expeditions funded by the MEF must: Take place in mountain regions. Have exploration (the acquisition of new knowledge) as their main purpose. Normally…

buff.ly

1 2

Mount Everest Foundation @mef-official.bsky.social · Aug 18

Our next grant application deadline is the 30 September 2025.

If you have an exploratory mountaineering or scientific expedition planned between December this year and the end of 2026, don't miss your chance to secure MEF funding.

Details here ➡️ tinyurl.com/5c2xnxxj

📷 Ben James

Two red tents pitched in a snowy landscape surrounded by pulks and ski equipment. There are mountains on the horizon.

1 4

Mount Everest Foundation @mef-official.bsky.social · Jul 30

2024 MEF EXPEDITION SUMMARIES - FOOTSTEPS 55

This team visited the Jugal Himal to honour the 1955 Ladies Scottish Expedition, the 1st all-women expedition to visit the Himalaya.

They made an attempt on an unclimbed peak of ~6,200m but closing weather forced a retreat at 5,500m.

1

Mount Everest Foundation @mef-official.bsky.social · Jul 23

2024 MEF EXPEDITION SUMMARIES - ROLWALING

This expedition achieved the first ascents of the east face of Takargo East (6152m) and of a highly difficult line up the ridge that splits the north and northwest faces of Linku Chuli II.

Full report here ➡️ tinyurl.com/3d2tyk2e

1 3

Mount Everest Foundation @mef-official.bsky.social · Jul 16

2024 MEF EXPEDITION SUMMARIES - PANMAH

Complex glacial terrain prevented this team of Alpine Club climbers from accessing their intended objective.

Identifying an alternative, they made the first ascent of Pk5650 on 25 September, ascending via the mountain's north ridge.

1 2

Mount Everest Foundation @mef-official.bsky.social · Jul 9

2024 MEF EXPEDITION SUMMARIES - CHILING II

After acclimatising, Chris Wright and Michael Hutchins made an attempt on the unclimbed north face of Chiling II but were turned back after 500m by poor conditions.

You can read their full report here ➡️ tinyurl.com/bdenncc9

1 3

Mount Everest Foundation @mef-official.bsky.social · Jul 2

2024 MEF EXPEDITION SUMMARIES - GLOF HAZARD IN THE HIMALAYAN WATER TOWERS

Based in Lunana, Bhutan, this scientific expedition set up various forms of monitoring & surveyed locals to better understand the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods.

More here ➡️ tinyurl.com/34nccxx9

2

Mount Everest Foundation @mef-official.bsky.social · Jun 18

2024 MEF EXPEDITION SUMMARIES - CHAUKHAMBA III

In Autumn 2024, Fay Manners & Michelle Dvorak attempted the first ascent of Chaukhamba III.

Unfortunately, they were forced to retreat after a hauling accident caused the loss of key equipment.

More here ➡️ tinyurl.com/4dwmy6m5

1 1

Mount Everest Foundation @mef-official.bsky.social · Jun 11

2024 MEF EXPEDITION SUMMARIES - VIRJERAB

This international expedition, led by Philip de-Beger, made the first ascent of Virjerab Sar (6616m), climbing the mountain via its northwest ridge at an approximate grade of AD.

Read more here ➡️ tinyurl.com/ym6h2dpm

1 3

Mount Everest Foundation @mef-official.bsky.social · Jun 4

2024 MEF EXPEDITION SUMMARIES - THE THUMBNAIL

This Scot/Slovak team succeeded in establishing two new lines on the colossal sea cliff of Maujit Qaqarssuasia in Greenland.

They also climbed several new routes on Pamiagdluk island.

Full report here ➡️ tinyurl.com/bdez9kme

1 4

Mount Everest Foundation @mef-official.bsky.social · May 28

2024 MEF EXPEDITION SUMMARIES - K7

Challenging conditions and ill health prevented this team from making a substantive attempt on K7's Southwest Ridge.

They noted significant new route potential on The Dogs Knob, Fathi Brakk & Faro East.

Full Report ➡️ tinyurl.com/45vnacbd

1 1

Mount Everest Foundation @mef-official.bsky.social · May 21

2024 MEF EXPEDITION SUMMARIES - AK-SHYYRAK

This all-women team, a recipient of our 2024 Alison Chadwick Memorial Grant, succeeded in making the first ascents of two 4,000m peaks from the Kara-Say valley.

You can read more about the expedition here ➡️ tinyurl.com/mryv9cn8

1 4

Reposted by Mount Everest Foundation

The Alpine Club @alpineclub.bsky.social · May 15

Our friends at the Himalayan Trust will be marking the 70th anniversary of the first ascent of #Kangchenjunga with a special event at the @rgsibg.bsky.social.

Featuring contributions from Levison Wood, Mingma David
& a new film of the 1955 ascent!

Book here ➡️ himalayantrust.co.uk/events/

2 4

Mount Everest Foundation @mef-official.bsky.social · May 14

2024 MEF EXPEDITION SUMMARIES - ASHAT

Despite unsettled weather in the Ashat Valley, this team succeeded in establishing a new E3 line and scoped significant bouldering and climbing potential in the area.

Read the full report here ➡️ tinyurl.com/5dw8ud6y

1 5

Mount Everest Foundation @mef-official.bsky.social · May 12

Huge congratulations to the Baffin Island 2025 Expedition who, over four weeks in the field traversing rarely-visited glaciers by ski, succeeded in identifying and climbing first ascents of six peaks in good style.

1 2

Mount Everest Foundation @mef-official.bsky.social · May 7

2024 MEF EXPEDITION SUMMARIES - HIDDEN ALASKA

Having been forced to abandon their plans in the Kichatna Spires, Twid Turner & Mark Thomas made attempts on 2 new routes on Moose's Tooth but were turned back by suspect rock in both cases.

Full Report ➡️ tinyurl.com/2wf3vehb

1 4

Mount Everest Foundation @mef-official.bsky.social · May 5

Fantastic to see the American Alpine Club highlight the MEF-backed Project Light & Fast as an exemplar of the growing number of Nepali climbers establishing new routes & first ascents.

We look forward to supporting many more Nepali expeditions in the future.

The Line: Nepali Climbers Exploring Nepal's Mountains — American Alpine Club

A prominent trend in international climbing is the rise of local climbing communities and cultures around the world, not least in Nepal. As documented in Bernadette McDonald’s award-winning Alpine R...

americanalpineclub.org

2 5

Mount Everest Foundation @mef-official.bsky.social · May 1

2024 MEF EXPEDITION SUMMARIES - GASHERBRUM 3

Over 7 days, Tom Livingstone & Aleš Česen succeeded in making the 1st ascent of the west ridge of Gasherbrum III (7952m).

This was only the 3rd time the mountain had been climbed.

Read the full report here ➡️ tinyurl.com/sm7w7wra

2 2

Reposted by Mount Everest Foundation

Grace Hurford PhD @ghurford.bsky.social · Apr 28

Really great 👏 to see how our mountaineers and scientists in remote places are giving back/ supporting local communities. 💚 have a quick read..

Mount Everest Foundation @mef-official.bsky.social · Apr 28

3 years ago we brought in new environmental and social guidelines for our supported expeditions.

Here's a look at how some recent expeditions have put their obligations to the environment and local communities into practice ➡️ tinyurl.com/2px2f4d2

📷 Alex Metcalfe

1 3

Mount Everest Foundation @mef-official.bsky.social · Apr 28

3 years ago we brought in new environmental and social guidelines for our supported expeditions.

Here's a look at how some recent expeditions have put their obligations to the environment and local communities into practice ➡️ tinyurl.com/2px2f4d2

📷 Alex Metcalfe

1 5

Mount Everest Foundation @mef-official.bsky.social · Apr 23

2024 MEF EXPEDITION SUMMARIES - PATRASI

This team of three, the first all-Nepali team to receive an MEF grant, made the first ascent of Patrasi Southwest (6521m), the highest of the three Patrasi peaks.

You can read their full report via our website ➡️ tinyurl.com/mwmkxu36

1 7

Mount Everest Foundation @mef-official.bsky.social · Apr 16

🔦2024 MEF EXPEDITION SUMMARIES - BENARAT🔦

Part of the ongoing Mulu Caves Project, this team of 16 succeeded in locating the upper entrance of Cobweb Cave & extending the Cobweb Cave System.

You can read the full report via our website ➡️ mef.org.uk/expeditions/...

3

Mount Everest Foundation @mef-official.bsky.social · Mar 28

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us last night for our 2025 lecture and to Mick Fowler and Victor Saunders for a talk that was equal measures funny and inspiring!

1