No Clouds in the Khumbu Valley

December 23, 2018

December Trekking Team with Taboche and Cholatse (Sonam Dorje Sherpa)

Our December EBC Trekking Team enjoyed another fantastic day in the Khumbu Valley. The Team is feeling great and the weather is helping make this trip something they will never forget. Leaving Dingboche got the blood flowing for the team as they climbed a short hill before making it to the high trail. The high trail takes the team above Pheriche until the small village of Dhugla. From Dhugla, they climb a “small” hill. This little hill before the valley of memories doesn’t look difficult but at nearly 16,000 feet, causes any trekker to take it slow and do some heavy breathing. Once at the top of the hill, it is only a short distance to Lobuche Village (16,200ft). The team will head to Gorakshep and a visit to Kala Pattar and Everest Base Camp for Christmas!

: Lobuche and Pumori (Sonam Dorje Sherpa)

: Trekking to Lobuche (Ang Tseri Sherpa)

: Summer home with North Ridge of Ama Dablam (Ang Tseri Sherpa)

All is well in the Khumbu Valley!

Greg Vernovage

On the Move in South America

December 22, 2018

Camp 1 on Aconcagua (Luke Reilly)

Teams are on the move on Aconcagua.Â Andy, Rikki and team successfully moved up and established Camp 1 today.Â They are planning to carry and cache equipment up at Camp 2 tomorrow.Â The views to the north from the Ameghino col will be spectacular for them.Â On a clear day, you can see several other 6,000M peaks including Mercedario and La Mesa.Â They will also get their first glimpse of the upper mountain as well while rounding the corner to Camp 2.

Jonathan’s expedition reported that they had a nice rest day at basecamp and that they’re doing well.Â They plan to make a carry up to Camp 1 tomorrow to prep for the departure from basecamp.Â Everyone is on a roll down in South America.

Luke Reilly

Up to Lobuche Village (16,200ft)

December 22, 2018

Lobuche from Pheriche (Eric Simonson)

The EBC Trekking Team checked in from Lobuche Village overnight. Another nice day on the trailÂ for everyone! From Dingboche, the team must hike up hill for about 30 minutes before leveling off across the high route to Dhugla. From Dhugla, the team takes it slow and steady up the hill towards Lobuche Village. On their way up the hill, they pass through the Valley of Memories where monuments are built to remember fallen climbers from around the world.

Now in Lobuche Village, the team will settle in; drink, eat and a well deserved nights rest.Â Tomorrow is a rest day in Lobuche Village.

Greg Vernovage

Both Teams at Aconcagua Basecamp

December 21, 2018

Just below Plaza Argentina (Luke Reilly)

Andy’s team and Jonathan’s team haveÂ converged at Plaza Argentina.Â Andy’s team opted to take another rest day at camp today and will be rested up for their hopeful move to Camp 1 tomorrow.

Jonathan and his crew will be taking a rest day tomorrow.Â I’m sure everyone is having fun hanging out together at basecamp.Â Some of the more recent amenities at Plaza Argentina make camp life pretty comfy.Â I will keep you post on everyone’s progress tomorrow!

Luke Reilly

EBC Trek – Active Rest Day and Incredible Views!

December 21, 2018

North Ridge of Ama Dablam (Sonam Dorje Sherpa)

An active rest day is important during a trek to Everest Base Camp. Our goal for an active rest day is to continue to acclimatize to the new elevation while still getting out a little bit to check out the scenery. The day ends by staying in the same lodge at the same elevation.

Lhotse in the sun from Dingboche (Sonam Dorje Sherpa)

Our December EBC Team enjoyed a great active rest today in Dingboche (14,469 ft). Tomorrow, the plan for the team is to eat breakfast at 7:00am and trek to Lobuche Village (16,200 ft) by 8:00am.

Having fun above Dingboche (Sonam Dorje Sherpa)

This team is having fun – as is evident by the team photo on the ridge between Pheriche and Dingboche!

Greg Vernovage

Breezy in Argentina

December 20, 2018

The trail to camp 1 (Luke Reilly)

Andy and Jonathan checked in today from Aconcagua and things are going well.Â Jonathan and his team are down at the Casa de Piedra camp tonight and are looking forward to getting up to Plaza Argentina tomorrow and settling into basecamp.Â There will be a nice meal waiting for them and maybe even a shower.

Andy reported that the team made a carry up to C1 today and the conditions were a little breezy but not too bad.Â We will keep an eye on the weather but Andy’s team plans to move up to C1 tomorrow.Â Everything is moving forward on Aconcagua.

Luke Reilly

Five Days Before EBC and Christmas

December 20, 2018

Trekking in December (Ang Tseri Sherpa)

Another gorgeous day of trekking for our team in the Khumbu Valley!Â When we put a trip together, this is how we draw it up!Â The Team was up early for a visit to the Pangboche Monastery before following the trail to Dingboche.Â This is a gentle day of trekking with only a few hills to climb.

Trekking to Dingboche with Ama Dablam (Ang Tseri Sherpa)

One of the hills has the small village of Shomare on it, where the team stopped for lunch. From Shomare, the team heads uphill and onto an open area where many summer homes are located for grazing yaks. A couple more hours and the team rounds the bend and can see the destination of the day, Dingboche!

Mani Stones below Ama Dablam (Sonam Dorje Sherpa)

From Dingboche, the team can see Lhotse, Island Peak, and the North Ridge of Ama Dablam outside their window. Tomorrow is an acclimatization day for the team. They will have the opportunity to climb the ridge and possibly drop down to Pheriche.

December Team with Dingboche behind (Sonam Dorje Sherpa)

All is well in Dingboche!

Greg Vernovage

Trekking to Pangboche… just beautiful!

December 19, 2018

: December Trek Team in Tengboche with Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam (Ang Tseri Sherpa)

Our December EBC Trek Team had a beautiful day in the Khumbu Valley! Ang Tseri Sherpa sent in a few photos to share with us from Tengboche.

Trekking to Pangboche (Ang Tseri Sherpa)

Blue skies and great views accompanied the Team on their trek to Pangboche, where they arrived just after 1:00 feeling great!

Tengboche Monastery (Ang Tseri Sherpa)

Tomorrow, the team will visit the Pangboche Monastery before heading up the hill to Dingboche.

All is well in the Khumbu Valley!

Greg Vernovage

Plaza Argentina Basecamp

December 18, 2018

: Local guide Martin Lucero preps a mule load (Luke Reilly)

: Packing mule loads in Penitentes (Jonathan Schrock)

Today was the first big day of the trip getting up to the Plaza Argentina Basecamp.Â Andy checked in and the crew has settled into their tents.Â Tomorrow is the first rest day on the mountain and everyone will take the time to get ready for the hard work ahead.

Hot on their tail is Johnny and team down in Penitentes.Â Everyone is soaking up the luxuries of having running water and a comfy bed for the last night before hitting the trail tomorrow.Â The duffel shuffle in Penitentes today included weighing out mule loads and prepping all the food for safe transport on the back of the animals.Â They’ll be getting an early start tomorrow and will make their way to Pampa de LeÃ±as where they will also sample some fine backcountry barbecue.

Luke Reilly

Light snow for the trek to Tengboche

December 18, 2018

Tengboche Monastery at night (Tye Chapman)

Our Sherpa Trekking Team was up early for their trek to Tengboche (12,369 ft – 3,770 m).Â They were welcomed with a light dusting of fresh snow.Â The team had a fine trek and as the day continued, the skies cleared up!Â They made excellent time and everyone is feeling great in Tengboche.

Tengboche with surrounding peaks (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

After a good lunch at the Dudh Koshi River crossing, they made the climb up to the village.Â The afternoon was spent visiting the monastery and taking in the breathtaking view of Ama Dablam.

All is well in a winter Khumbu Valley!

Greg Vernovage