Early June, ITP research staff successfully set up an Automatic Weather Station (AWS) in the ablation zone of East Rongbuk, 5830 m a.s.l., on the northern slope of Mt. Qomolangma. The AWS is equipped with sensors to detect two-layered wind speed /direction, air temperature /humidity, and surface pressure, in addition to three-layered soil temperature and humidity in respectively 10cm, 20cm and 40 cm under earth. It also contains a 4-component net radiation sensor. 

The AWS was set up with the joint effort by research staff from QOMORS and local people. Its establishment was sponsored by ITP renovation project on field observation network in extreme environment. It adds to two already established in respectively 4276m and 5190 m a.s.l along the northern slope. All contribute to a complete dataset in high altitudes in the Himalayas.