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.   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

October 25, 2013

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

IMG guide Erica Engle reports:  “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.  Later that afternoon, we visited Pangboche’s beautiful monastery and new school buildings.  Then, the next day, we had a nice hike up to Ama Dablam’s base camp.  There we had a hot lunch of noodles while marveling at the imposing and captivating mountain before us.  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.   The views and landscape continue to keep everyone with their cameras ready and jaws dropping.  After many cups of tea, we are packing our bags and getting ready to head to Chukkung today.  Everyone is excited to continue to enjoy this wonderful region and to climb our first peak tomorrow, Chukkung Ri”.

Erica Engle

October 22, 2013

IMG guide Erica Engle reports that the team had a nice time visiting Tengboche monastery and the nunnery in Deboche, and have now moved up the valley to Pangboche.  This is one of the larger towns in Khumbu and is the home of Ang Pasang and many of our IMG climbing sherpas. Visiting Ama Dablam Base Camp is a great hiking destination, but there is still a lot of snow higher up the valley (left over from the storm that followed the recent cyclone).  So, rather than sidehilling to the BC from Dingboche (original plan) the team is going to go directly up to BC from Pangboche via the climber’s trail that has been kicked in.  It should be a great acclimatization hike!

Eric Simonson

October 21, 2013

Crossing the Dudh Kosi at Phunki, below Tengboche (Eric Simonson)

After two days in Namche for acclimatization hiking, IMG guide Erica Engle reports that the team are doing well.  Today they descended to cross the Dudh Kosi river, then ascended up and over the Tengboche ridge, before dropping back down to Deboche (about 12,000 feet).  This is a small group of houses and lodges situated in the rhododendron forests down by the river.  Tomorrow the team will have a full day to explore the monastery area, and some of the members are going to head up at dawn, for the morning prayers.  They will also get a chance to do some more acclimatization hiking up the Lhamo Gang ridge toward Kangtega Peak.

Eric Simonson