Chö-Dzong was reached on 15 April, from a hill above which a clear view of Mount Everest was obtained with a naval telescope. The north face appeared relatively snow-free and the ledges along which Norton traversed were clear to the eye but, according to Ruttledge, looking remarkably difficult, while the overhanging Second Step appeared a formidable obstacle and, although the summit slopes looked feasible, the problem was to reach [them] across the frightful slabs of the couloir walls.