Camp 2 is pitched in the upper part of the Western Cwm where the valley ends at the giant steep wall of ice known as the Lhotse Face. Camp 2 is big, well stocked and serves as an Advanced Base Camp for all summit bids. It is also the place to which climbers retreat, should the weather higher on the mountain deteriorate, before returning to Base Camp or trying again when the weather clears.
The summit is still over two days away from here, however the snow plumes blown off the top of Everest are clearly visible and offer a good indication of the wind conditions above. On the summit push, the tension in Camp 2 is high as the climbers wait for a break in the weather providing them a limited window during which a summit attempt may be mounted.