German Climber Jost Kobusch Heads for Everest
Kobusch will attempt a solo winter climb of Mount Everest via the West Ridge, a route no one has yet completed in winter.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Skiing
Jost Kobusch, a 34-year-old German mountaineer, departed Kathmandu this week to attempt Mount Everest via the West Ridge in winter. He will climb the 8,849-metre peak solo without guide support above base camp and without bottled oxygen.
Why it matters
No one has successfully climbed the West Ridge in winter, and only 14 people have summited Everest in winter by other routes. Kobusch's three previous attempts were halted by strong winds above 7,540 metres.
Kobusch has made three prior Everest attempts, reaching no higher than 7,540 metres, against a summit of 8,849 metres. Only 14 people have summited Everest in the December-February winter season by other routes.
The players
Jost Kobusch
A 34-year-old German mountaineer from Borgholzhausen who has made three previous attempts on Everest.
The details
Kobusch plans to climb smaller peaks as training before the Everest attempt, hoping to start the summit push at the end of December. Four Sherpa climbers called off a winter West Ridge attempt in 2020 due to heavy snow.
Timeline
2019: Kobusch's first Everest attempt.
2020: Four Sherpa climbers turned back from a winter West Ridge attempt.
2021: Kobusch's second Everest attempt.
2024: Kobusch's third Everest attempt.
Late December 2026: Planned summit attempt.
The Big Picture
Kobusch's attempt follows the 2020 winter West Ridge effort by four Sherpa climbers, which was called off due to heavy snow. A winter ascent by this route remains unrealized, making the outcome a test of the same unfinished objective.
The attempt is a solo, oxygen-free push on the most difficult winter route, so any success or failure will be documented against the climbing record books. Readers tracking Everest's winter season can watch whether the 14-person winter summit count changes.
The takeaway
Winter Everest attempts remain among the most demanding objectives in mountaineering, and solo, oxygen-free efforts raise the stakes further. Kobusch's outcome will show whether a winter West Ridge ascent is achievable.
What happens next
Kobusch plans to attempt the Everest summit at the end of December 2026, after first climbing smaller peaks as training.
Further reading
For more on high-altitude mountaineering, explore Skiing coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Reuters.
