Everest Base Camp on Christmas

December 25, 2018

EBC from the lookout (Greg Vernovage)

Sonam Dorje Sherpa checked in from EBC this morning to let us know the Team is having a beautiful day. They were up early and took a very leisurely trek to EBC from Gorakshep. Today is a nice day of trekking with very little vertical gain but can be challenging with the trail and rock hoping as they get closer to EBC. Our Sherpa Team planned a slow and conservative trek today to allow everyone enough time to make it to EBC and feel good getting there! 100% of the team made it to EBC and the Sherpa Guides packed a nice lunch and some hot drinks so everyone could eat and drink along the way.

December Trek resting on the Khumbu Glacier at EBC (Sonam Dorje Sherpa)

The Team is now back to Gorakshep and will rest the remainder of the day before heading down valley to Pheriche in the morning.Â Congratulations to our December Trekking Team on making it to EBC and bringing great weather with them!

All is well and Happy Holidays from the KhumbuÂ Valley!

Greg Vernovage

The Holiday Kili team reach Shira Camp

December 25, 2018

Team at Machame Camp (Phunuru Sherpa)

Phunuru got 3G reception today from Shira Camp (12,500 feet) and was able to send out some photos. He reports the team had another very nice day for the weather, and that everyone are all doing well. Today’s climb took them out of the montane forest zone into the heath and moorlands. These parts of Kilimanjaro are characterized by lots of “weird plants” like giant heather bushes, groundsel and lobelia.Â Tomorrow, as they climb above Shira the terrain will become more and more alpine desert. As the local Chagga say, Poli Poli (which means slow and steady).Â Happy Holidays!

: On the way to Shira Camp (Phunuru Sherpa)

: Shira Camp (Phunuru Sherpa)

: Machame Camp (Phunuru Sherpa)

Eric Simonson

Carry Day on Aconcagua

December 24, 2018

Ready to climb (Jonathan Schrock)

Jonathan fired off this photo right before the team saddled their backpacks and headed to Camp 1.Â Everyone is acclimatizing well and they are ready for the move up to about 16,000 feet.Â They made good time up to camp and are settled in for the night.Â Up higher at Camp 2 Andy and crew are doing well.Â Â Both teams are planning on doing carries tomorrow; Jonathan will be caching gear at Camp 2 and Andy at Camp 3.Â There is a little snow flurry predicted in the forecast tonight, so there is hope for a white holiday tomorrow when everyone wakes up, but probably just enough to make things pretty and not be an issue to trudge through.

Luke Reilly

Holiday Kilimanjaro Trip on the way!

December 24, 2018

Kili on Christmas (Phunuru Sherpa)

Itâ€™s always a big relief to finally start walking, after all the travel. Today was a good day for the Kilimanjaro team. Phunuru checked in from Machame Camp (about 10,000 feet) Â to report that they were all doing well. The weather was nice today for their hike up through the forest. Now they are right at timberline, and will break out into more open scrub land tomorrow as they continue their ascent up to the Shira Plateau.

Merry Christmas to all!

Eric Simonson

Kala patthar summits!

December 24, 2018

December Trek Team on the summit of Kala Patthar (Sonam Dorje Sherpa)

The December EBC Trekking Team had a cool and crisp morning to climbÂ Kala Patthar (18,519 ft). The team was on the trail for the summit of Kala Patthar before the sun hit Gorakshep allowing for beautiful photos of the mountains. Another perfect day of weather for the team accompanied the team, giving them great views of Mount Everest and all of the surrounding mountains. Great job Team!

: Gorkashep in December (Sonam Dorje Sherpa)

: Ang Tseri Sherpa Jumping with Everest in background (Sonam Dorje Sherpa)

Tomorrow is Christmas Day and what better present than to visit Everest Base Camp. It is quiet in the Khumbu Valley this time of year and our trekking team has enjoyed very little traffic on the trail.

Greg Vernovage

Fresh Photos from Aconcagua

December 23, 2018

: The approach to Basecamp (Jonathan Schrock)

: The boys at Basecamp (Jonathan Schrock)

: Making a carry to Camp 1 (Jonathan Schrock)

Jonathan was able to jump on the internet this afternoon and shoot us some great pictures from the trip so far.Â They made a carry up to C1 today and are in position to move up tomorrow.Â As you can see from the photos, things look nice, but Jonathan wrote me an update and said “..weather was perfect for most of the day, warm, light breeze and sunny.”Â Jonathan’s team gave Andy and his crew high fives after they made their C1 cache and headed back down to BC.

Andy and his crew are hanging at C1 tonight after their carry to C2 today.Â Things are looking a little breezy in the forecast but let’s see what things do tomorrow.Â They will either make the move to C2 or hang tight at C1 and welcome Jonathan and his crew.

Luke Reilly

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