Sikkim Trek Winding Down

October 30, 2013

Darjeeling

Phil checked in from the ‘front country’ today. Yesterday they wrapped up their trek with a descent through rhododendron forests and a walk across a suspension bridge over the Praig chu, from there it was a short walk to the large village town of Yuksom.

While the trek is done, they’ve still got a bit of traveling to do. Today they made the drive from Yuksom to Darjeeling.

Tomorrow is a day of leisure to take in the town or maybe a do load of laundry or two.Â Either way it’s hotels and hot showers from here on out!

Tye Chapman

3×3 Trekkers Heading For Gorak Shep

October 29, 2013

Looking north from a helicopter from near Lobuche village up the valley towards Everest Base Camp (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

IMG guide Erica Engle reports that the team moved up to Lobuche village yesterday, and then today they moved up to Gorak Shep, the last little village below Everest Base Camp.Â Next stop is Kala Pattar!Â This 18,500 foot peak has a great view of Mt Everest and is the classic summit on the way to Base Camp.Â The recent snowfall from the big storm has left a thick layer in the mountains, so the footing is a bit slippery along the way. Â Â So far so good!

Eric Simonson

Myanmar Trekkers Fly North To Bagan

October 28, 2013

: Fruit and vegetable market in Bagan (Jenni Fogle)

: My hand on the fingernail of a giant Buddha statue (Jenni Fogle)

: Shwesandaw Pagoda in Bagan (Jenni Fogle)

The Myanmar trek team flew north to Bagan today, the ancient city that was once the capital of the Pagan kingdom that unified Burma back in the 11th-13th centuries.Â There were once over 10,000 temples in Bagan and even today several thousand remain.Â IMG guide Jenni Fogle reports that “we visited a few important temples, had a great lunch at an Indian restaurant and visited a lacquerware factory.Â We’ll be going out for an early dinner tonight and getting an early start in the morning to head to Kanpalet. Our local guide has double-checked the road conditions and it sounds like all is clear for our overland journey to the west into Chin State. I’ll be checking in tomorrow with a report from Kanpalet.”

Eric Simonson

Weekend Update From Sikkim

October 28, 2013

Phil & team checked in over the weekend to report that all is well and everyone is happy!Â The weekend kicked off with an early Saturday morning hike to catch another stunning sunrise on Kangchenjunga and neighboring peaks in Sikkim.Â Weather was still and clear.Â After a four hour climb to Goecha La (4800m) on Sunday, the team was rewarded with a new view of the east face of Kangchenjunga at a distance of less than 4 miles.Â They spun a 180 and headed downhill, dipping down to camp at 13,000 ft â€“ all tired but happy.Â The fresh clean snow left by the recent cyclone not only enhanced the surrounding scenery, but made for good travel as the snow was quite firm.

Today was a long 7 hour walk through the rhododendron and magnolia forests down to the tiny settlement of Tsokha just below 9,000 ft.Â They made it to camp as the rain began to fall.Â Tomorrow will be another 5 hours down to the village of Yuksom, which will complete the trekking portion of the trip.Â Theyâ€™ll enjoy warm beds and hotel amenities tomorrow night.

Becky Kjorvestad

3X3 Trekkers Summit Chukking Ri

October 28, 2013

The north side of Ama Dablam taken from near Chukkung village in the Imja Khola valley (Eric Simonson)

IMG guide Erica Engle reports “Yesterday we trekked to the village of Chukkung, situated at the edge of the morainal terrain below the Lhotse and Lhotse Nup Glaciers. We enjoyed tea from the cozy sunroom of our lodge while marveling at the incredible amphitheater of peaks before us, including the north side of Ama Dablam, Amphu Gyabjen, Island Peak, and the massive wall of Nuptse, Lhotse, and Lhotse Shar. With an early start today, we had a nice climb of Chukking Ri (18,190 ft / 5546m) to get our first taste of some high altitude.Â Â From the summit we enjoyed great views, then made our way back down to Dingboche, where we are prepping for tomorrow’s trek to Lobuche. Due to heavy snow up high (which remains from the big cyclone) we are not going to be able to cross Kongma La pass, so we are going down and around to Lobuche.”

Eric Engle

Myanmar Trekkers Enjoying Yangon

October 28, 2013

: Enjoying a meal in Yangon (Jenni Fogle)

: Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon (Jenni Fogle)

: The reclining Buddha in Yangon (Jenni Fogle)

IMG guide Jenni Fogle reports that our first IMG Myanmar Trek is off to a good start.Â Everyone made it to Yangon, MyanmarÂ (previously known as Rangoon, Burma) with all their luggage, and has settled in to their rooms at the Traders Hotel in the bustling downtown area.Â Â Jenni reportsÂ “After breakfast this morning we headed to Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the largest Buddhist temples in Myanmar. We also saw the famous reclining Buddha statue, took a break for some wonderful traditional Myanmar food, and did a little shopping at a local market. Weâ€™re resting and packing this afternoon, then getting up early tomorrow morning to fly to Bagan.â€

Eric Simonson

Sikkim Trekkers Soaking In The Sun

October 25, 2013

Another good weather report from Phil this morning. He reports that today was a relatively easy walk to Dzongri . They crossed the river and then climbed gradually up to the pass and then down through the vast grazing grounds of Dzongri.. From there they had excellent views of Rathong and other mountains besides Kanchenjunga.Â It was a nice warm afternoon of rest and relaxation.

Tomorrow they’ll wake up nice and early (4:00am) and hike up to the local viewpoint for sunrise on Kangchenjunga and it’s neighboring peaks of Rathong (6683m.),Â Kokthang (6150m.), Kabru Dome (6604m.) and Forked Peak (6116m.). Sunrise in Sikkim is around 5:30am this time of year.Â After soaking in the sun they’ll head back down for breakfast then hit the trail for about 6 hours, eventually stopping at their camp near Lamune (4164m).

Tye Chapman

3 X 3 Trekkers Reach Dingboche

October 25, 2013

The view from Pheriche looking up the valley at Lobuche Peak (Eric
Simonson)

IMG guide Erica Engle reports:Â “The team enjoyed their time in Pangboche, where we met some of Ang Pasang’s family and had a wonderful lunch and tea at his house.Â Later that afternoon, we visited Pangboche’s beautiful monastery and new school buildings.Â Then, the next day, we had a nice hike up to Ama Dablam’s base camp.Â There we had a hot lunch of noodles while marveling at the imposing and captivating mountain before us.Â Many expeditions were preparing for their climb and it was a great time chatting with the climbers and guides.

Yesterday we trekked further up the valley to Dingboche, and some members hiked around the corner to Pheriche for more views and to visit the Himalayan Rescue Association clinic.Â Â The views and landscape continue to keep everyone with their cameras ready and jaws dropping.Â After many cups of tea, we are packing our bags and getting ready to head to Chukkung today.Â Everyone is excited to continue to enjoy this wonderful region and to climb our first peak tomorrow, Chukkung Ri”.

Erica Engle

Nothing To Complain About

October 24, 2013

The team is right about here…

Phil called in again this morning to report that all continues to go well. They had a nice visit with the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. Today wasÂ another great day on the trail “the weather remains flawless and the views are amazing”.

They’re currently at around 13,400 feet in the village of Bikbari which is nicely placed beneath the southwest face of Kabru Massif. Another wonderful campsite to witness anotherÂ spectacular sunset.

Tye Chapman

More Good Weather For Sikkim Trekkers

October 23, 2013

Kangchenjunga (Phil Ershler)

Phil called in this morning at 7:30am reporting that the weather has cleared to allow for more spectacular views and should continue to hold for the next few days.Â The group is looking forward to a nice mellow day as they will be heading to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute’s base camp. Everyone is doing well.

Tye Chapman