September 13, 2019

Today was Puja Day on Cho Oyu.  Phunuru called early this morning to let us know the Puja Day was a lot of fun and the team enjoyed being together for this auspicious day.  The team had light snow for the entire day but it is melting so no accumulation.  A Lama from Tingri came up to ABC to join the team and ask the mountain for safe passage this season.

After the Puja, the team enjoyed another great lunch by Head Chef Kaji and then packed food and gear for the first rotation up the mountain.  Tomorrow, the Sherpa will make a carry to Camp 1 while the rest of the team train at ABC and prepare for the rotation.

All is well on Cho Oyu!

Greg Vernovage

September 12, 2019

The Cho Oyu Team took the day getting settled in at ABC and going for a short hike to stretch their legs up towards Camp 1. An active rest day is good for the team. Getting out and doing some trekking is a good way to get their heart rates up a bit and work on more acclimatization. The team can get a good view of the route on Cho Oyu and Nangpa La which is one of the oldest trade routes connecting Tibet to Nepal where local people made the pilgrimage to Namche for trading.

The Fixing Sherpa returned to ABC after fixing more of the ropes on the route to Camp 2. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day with the Puja and training for the team before making plans to head up to Camp 1 for their first rotation. There is a little snow in the forecast for tonight but that should not slow down the progress and plan for climbing over the next week.

All is well on Cho Oyu

Greg Vernovage

September 11, 209

Phunuru called to let us know the team had a great day trekking to ABC on Cho Oyu.  He also wanted to let us know that the 6 Sherpa who went up to Camp 1 had a great day and have now fixed to the top of the ice cliff.

The plan for tomorrow is to take a short hike up the glacier towards Camp 1 for the team. The Sherpa Team will work on fixing the route to Camp 2 before descending to ABC.  September 13^th is Puja Day!

All is well on Cho Oyu!

Greg Vernovage

September 10, 2019

IMG Senior Guide Phunuru Sherpa checked in from Gyaplung (Intermediate Camp) at 17,716’/5,400m. The team had a great day trekking to Intermediate Camp with perfect weather.

Tomorrow, the team will head up to ABC and get settled in. PK and Mingma Sherpa came down to meet the team and trek up to ABC. Chhewang and Pasang are at ABC (18,700’/5,700m) and planning on heading up to Camp 1 (21,000’/6400m) with Sherpa from other teams to start fixing the route to Camp 2.

All is well on Cho Oyu!

Greg Vernovage

September 9, 2019

The Cho Oyu Team had a good rest day today and will be moving up to Gyaplung which we also call Intermediate Camp in the morning. Tomorrow will not be a difficult day of trekking and the team can pretty much stick to the road but having this Intermediate Camp in place breaks up the altitude gain as they move to ABC.

Intermediate Camp with Cho Oyu in the clouds (Dallas Glass)

The team will be met by a few of our Sherpa who will come down from ABC. The weather is looking reasonable for the next few days and we are looking forward to getting the entire team together at ABC in a couple days.

All is well in Tibet!

Greg Vernovage

September 8, 2019

Phunuru called to let us know this Cho Oyu Team is acclimatizing very well. The team had another great day of weather at Chinese Base Camp and took advantage of the weather by gaining more altitude and stretching their legs a bit further. They trekked to 5,730 meters over 5 hours and made it back to Camp in time for a late lunch.

While the team trekked across the ridge above Base Camp, Phunuru was able to talk to our Sherpa Team who headed to Camp 1. Our advanced Sherpa Team reports the route to Camp 1 is in excellent condition.

Tomorrow, the team will repack and take a full rest day before heading to Intermediate camp the following day.

All is well in Tibet!

Greg Vernovage

September 7, 2019

Phunuru checked in this morning to let us know the team had a great day trekking up to 5,300 meters for acclimatization.  They trekked up towards Intermediate Camp and then a steep hill to gain more altitude.  The team enjoyed beautiful weather and views today.  The advanced Sherpa Team now has ABC built and ready for the climbers and will head up to Camp 1 in the morning to claim our campsite.

All is well in Tibet!

Greg Vernovage

September 6, 2019

New road to Chinese Base Camp with Cho Oyu in the background (Phunuru Sherpa)

IMG Senior Guide Phunuru Sherpa checked in after a beautiful day in Tibet.  The team enjoyed near perfect weather for the drive from Tingri to Chinese Base Camp.  The team is in great spirits and acclimatizing very well.  Our Advanced Sherpa Team is now at ABC, setting up camp and preparing to climb to Camp 1 to secure our spot and check on the route. It is always nice to get out of the hotels and into our own camp.  Kaji’s home cooking and a few days of acclimatization hiking is on the itinerary.

All is well in Tibet!

Greg Vernovage

September 5, 2019

The Cho Oyu Team was up and out the door early this morning.  After a good breakfast in Tingri, the team loaded into the vehicles and made their way up the road to Chinese Base Camp.  They arrived in time to meet our Sherpa Team before they loaded the yaks and headed to ABC.  After the 17 yaks and our Sherpa Team departed Chinese Base Camp for ABC, the team had some soup and then trekked up to 5,000 meters for some acclimatization.

After the hike, Kaji cooked a nice lunch for the team before they returned to Tingri for the night.  The plan for tomorrow is to wake up and hit the road early for the move to Chinese Base Camp.  Phunuru reports a couple other teams are at Chinese Base Camp as well.

Our Sherpa Team had a good day with excellent weather and made it to ABC with all of the yak loads.  Tomorrow, the team will begin working on ABC and the following day, make a carry to Camp 1.

All is well in Tibet!

Greg Vernovage