Our Daily Planet: Mississippi River Reopens and an Everest Scare

Each weekday morning, OurAmazingPlanet takes the pulse of the Earth, reporting on natural phenomena and exploration news from around the globe.

Wildlife Flees Floods: In woodlands near the Mississippi River, wildlife are rushing for higher ground.

Morganza Spillway Works: The opening of the Morganza floodgates has caused the Mississippi River to crest sooner and at lower levels than expected in parts of Louisiana.

Mississippi River Reopens: Parts of the surging river have reopened to shipping traffic, although ships have been forced to slow down to ease pressure on levees.

Everest Near-Disaster: A pair of climbers describe their scary ascent up Mount Everest. They didn't make it to the summit, but they made it home alive.

Previously on Our Daily Planet: Baseball Rain-Outs and Must-Run Marathons

Reach OurAmazingPlanet staff writer Brett Israel at bisrael@techmedianetwork.com. Follow him on Twitter @btisrael.