Summit route via the north face of the Everest.
Going for the Summit
During summit attempts, members of the climbing team will ascend to Camp 5 from Advanced Base Camp after spending the night at Camp 4 (North Col).

Nobody can stay at Camp 6 for long - as it is above 8000m. Human bodies never aclimatise at elevations above 8000m. Minimal time will be spent at Camp 6 (possibly one night).

From Camp 6 (8300m) to Summit (8850m) of Everest, the team must traverse the distance (about 1.5km) up and down within a single day.

The route from Camp 6 to summit is exposed, very steep, and dangerous.

There are 3 "humps" along the way, Step 1, 2 and 3, that must be traversed - requiring considerable courage and skill from the summit team.

Step 2 in particular, is exceptionally difficult to cross, even with the presence of an aluminium ladder placed by a Chinese team in 1975. After surmounting the 3rd Step, the summit is ahead. On the return trip to Camp 6, the team must deal with dehydration and tiredness that comes at high altitude. They must safely return to Camp 6 before sunset.
The third step stands as the final challenge before the summit. At this point, climbers are above the 8,000 metres level, the death zone. Use of oxygen becomes mandatory. Movement becomes laboured and every step is an effort.