Famed mountaineer Alan Arnette, still a full season away from his travels to Everest, announces Australian climber Gavin Turner’s decision to make one of the only double traverse attempts in history. If Turner succeeds, he will be the first. Arnette writes:

A single traverse is incredibly difficult – physically, mentally and logistically. A double amplifies the challenge…. To be clear what a double traverse entails, the climber starts from the north side, for example, climbs to the summit then, instead of returning to north base camp, continues to the south base camp. There they replenish their energy through excellent rest and food before the next phase in short order. They climb again, almost as a new expedition altogether, to the summit and continue to the original base camp. There is a reason it is rarely attempted and has never been done.

Climbers David Liano and Bill Burke have also told Arnette they plan to attempt a double traverse in 2010 as well. Good luck to all as they continue to push the limits of what is possible in the Himalayas.