Gokyo Ri Summits!

November 5, 2013

: View from Gokyo Ri looking down valley towards Kangtega and Thamserku peaks (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

: Gokyo Panorama taken by IMG guide Adam Angel

: Gokyo village (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

IMG guide Erica Engle called on the sat phone to report that the team had a gorgeous summit today of Gokyo Ri (17,575Â ft).Â This peak is located on the west side of the Ngozumpa glacier, which is the largest glacier in Nepal, descending from the south side of the Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang massif along the Tibet border.

The team took lots of photos from along the shores of Gokyo Lake, and also had good views from the summit of Gokyo Ri Â including (east to west): Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and many smaller Khumbu peaks.Â The team headed down later in the day to Machermo (about 14,600 ft).

Tomorrow they descend back to Namche Bazaar and the world of cell phone, internet, and chocolate cake!

Eric Simonson

Nepal Trekkers Cross Cho La Pass to Gokyo

November 3, 2013

IMG guide Erica Engle reports that they crossed 17,700 foot Cho La pass to Thaknak:Â “Lobuche Base Camp to Thagnak was a solid day of trekking for everyone. We had snow for the majority of the day, a little slippery on the descent, but overall the trail was good for fit, capable trekkers. Everything is good, and we’re planning to continue to Gokyo tomorrow and climb Gokyo Ri. Then on to Machermo, Namche, Lukla”.

So far so good!

Eric Simonson

Myanmar Trekkers Reach Kelaw

November 3, 2013

Today the Myanmar team flew to Heho, then drove to Kelaw via the Pindaya caves.Â Jenni Fogle reports: “we visited the Pindaya caves which have more than 8400 Buddha statues. Pretty impressive.

The countryside here is beautiful – almost like Tuscany. We are all squared away in a nice villa in Kelaw now, where we just enjoyed another spectacular sunset and are getting packed up to start the trek to Inle Lake tomorrow.”

Eric Simonson

Lobuche Peak Summits!

November 2, 2013

IMG guide Erica Engle called on the sat phone from Lobuche Base Camp to report that the team were all down and safe after a great summit day.Â She said the weather, conditions, and views were excellent, and they enjoyed climbing with Pangboche’s Everest all-stars Mingma Tshering and Tashi Tshering.Â The plan for tomorrow is to head over the Cho La pass (5,420 metres 17,782 ft) to Gokyo.Â Sounds like there has been plenty of traffic over the pass, so the trail is now well established after the snowstorm.

Eric Simonson

A Good Day In Myanmar

November 2, 2013

We had another great day in Bagan. We climbed the 777 steps to the Mt. Popa shrine, enjoyed a beautiful Bagan sunset, then finished with dinner at a restaurant owned by the sweetest family you could ever meet. I think they gave us twice as much food as we ordered (but didn’t charge us anything) and gave all the women beautiful bracelets as a gift. The food was wonderful and fresh, and the prices better than reasonable.

Tomorrow morning we fly to Heho, then drive up to the Pindaya caves and Kalaw. The trek from Kalaw to Inle Lake begins on Monday, and we’re all looking forward to it.

Jenni Fogle

Myanmar Trekkers In Chin State

November 1, 2013

: Family at their home in Chin Village near Kanpalet – Note the woman’s tattooed face. (Jenni Fogle)

: Shaman trying to cure woman near Kanpalet. (Jenni Fogle)

: Top of Mt. Victoria. (Jenni Fogle)

IMG guide Jenni Fogle managed to send a few photos and a report from their visit to the western part of Myanmar:

“We just returned to Bagan from three amazing days in the Chin State. We stayed in a remote lodge near the town of Kanpalet and took day trips from there, including a hike to the top of Mt. Victoria, just over 10,000 high and the highest in Chin State. We also visited villages where women still have faces tattooed from the days that the king would take the most beautiful women from Chin villages. At the age of 18, the women would have their faces tattooed to protect themselves from the king. In one town we were able to witness a shaman performing a ceremony to help a young woman bear children. By reading an egg heated over fire, he could determine who was causing her to not be able to bear children, and remove the curse. Everywhere we go, we are greeted with smiles and curious looks. It’s easy to see they are not used to western visitors here…we only saw a couple other foreigners the whole time. We made the jeep drive back to Bagan today and will visit the Mt. Popa shrine (777 steps to the top) tomorrow.

Jenni Fogle

Patagonia Should Be On Everybody’s List

October 31, 2013

I could write a long winded blog post on why I love Patagonia, but you’d just skip to the photos anyways!

Join me this February for a trek you’ll never forget.

Tye Chapman

In random order here you go…

: Los Torres

: Torres del Paine National Park

: In the Bader Valley

: Salto Grande

: Robin flying a kite in the Bader Valley

: Refugio Los Cuernos

: View from dinner.

: Panorama of Lake Nordenskjold

: Los Cuernos in the morning light.

: Los Cuernos

: Lakeside at Refugio Los Cuernos.

: Lake Nordenskjold

: Not a bad lunch spot in the French Valley.

: Lago Grey

: Trekking alongside Glacier Grey.

: Edible berries.

: Pisco Sours anyone?

: French Valley

: Los Cuernos from Lago Pehoe

: Evening light on Los Torres National Park

: Penguins!

: Panorama

: An old rustic boat at a local ranch.

: Sunbreak.

: Fun clouds.

: Lake Pehoe

: Flower in French Valley.

: Rainbow.

: Condors flying above.

: Iceberg in Lago Grey

: Bader Valley

: On the trail in the forest fire area from 2012

: Heading into the Bader Valley.

: Glaciar Grey

Next Stop Delhi

October 31, 2013

Raj and Brenda

Our last dinner in Kalimpong was just completed. Raj, our lead guide, handed out katas to the team. Brenda Gordon climbed Cho Oyu with us last month, stayed for this trek and was joined by her husband Dave.

It has been a super trip. Flights to Delhi tomorrow. Some members will fly home while others will stay one extra day to visit the Taj Mahal. What a way to end a great couple of weeks in India and Sikkim.

Phil

Jenni Can’t Get Enough Of Kilimanjaro

October 30, 2013

: The elusive Rhino. (Jenni Fogle)

: Jenni Fogle

: Jenni shooting on safari.

: Karanga camp. (Jenni Fogle)

: On the crater rim. (Jenni Fogle)

: Serengeti sunset. (Jenni Fogle)

There are so many places to see in the world – how do we decide where to go next? Last winter I had the amazing experience of climbing Kilimanjaro and going on safari in Tanzania not once, not twice, but three times. I was very excited about the trip, but also a little nervous about guiding the same trip three times in a row. Would I be bored by the end of it? Not a chance.

Kilimanjaro is one of the most unique mountains I have climbed. The variety of terrain is fascinating, the African guides and porters are friendly, hardworking and fun. The climb is challenging, and the summit attainable without the need to carry a heavy pack. We arrived every afternoon to find the smiling faces of our porters and cooks, camp set up comfortably and the dining tent waiting with hot tea and delicious snacks. After completing my first climb of the mountain, I looked forward to the safari, but didn’t see how it could top the experience of the mountain. It’s hard to say which I enjoyed more, but I can at least say I loved the safari as much as the climb. We saw so many animals before even arriving at our first camp that I was completely amazed.Â Every day was a new adventure. We saw leopards sleeping in trees, birds that could have come from a Dr. Suess book, lions hunting, wildebeests and zebras migrating and countless other animals in their natural environment. We ate like kings, slept like logs, and took thousands of pictures trying desperately to capture what can’t possibly be captured in photos.

I look forward to going back this winter for two more climbs.Â I hope you will join me in January or February 2014!

IMG guide, Jenni Fogle

Where is Jenni now you ask? Leading a trek in Myanmar of course.

Myanmar Trekkers Prepare For Mt. Victoria

October 30, 2013

Kanpalet and Nat Ma Taung (Google Earth)

IMG guide Jenni Fogle reports by sat phone that the team traveled west by jeep into Chin State from Bagan (near Mandalay), and now have reached the village of Kanpalet in the hillcounty.Â They have a couple days to explore this area, which is inhabited by the tribes of Dai, Upu, and Ya clans.Â This is a very remote and rugged areaâ€¦.truly a step back in time.Â The people all do intricate facial tattooing and are known for their weaving skills.

Tomorrow the team will head for Mt. Victoria in Nat Ma Taung National ParkÂ and then on to the town of Mindat.Â Â At over 10,000 feet elevation, Mt Victoria is one of the most prominent mountains in southeast Asia.Â The lower elevations are tropical forest, while the upper parts are an alpine â€œsky islandâ€ with many rare plant and animal species.

Sounds wild!

Eric Simonson