From the death zone camp, which is a camp for resting and not sleeping, climbers will make their final summit push. More than 150 climbers have died trying to reach the summit and remain on the mountain preserved by the dry high altitude and constant cold. The Northeast Ridge is the most difficult climbing on this route because there are three "steps". These "steps" are large rocks which require vertical climbing up a 10 foot rock to a 30 foot vertical wall.

The First Step is at: 27,890 feet - 28,000 feet, the Second Step: 28,140 feet - 28,300 feet, and Third Step: 28,510 feet - 28,870 feet. Once above these steps, the final summit slopes (50 to 60 degrees) to the top.