November 10, 2017
Ama Dablam. (Tye Chapman)
The Ama Dablam Team has returned to Base Camp! The Team pulled into camp, had an early dinner and were excited to get some well deserved rest. Congratulations to all the members of the 2017 Ama Dablam Team. What a great climb!
The plan for the Team is to get a good night’s rest and pack up camp tomorrow. They will head downhill to Namche the day after tomorrow and then on to Lukla.
All is well at Ama Dablam Base Camp!
Greg Vernovage
November 9, 2017
Austin and Phunuru called from the summit of Ama Dablam last night to let us know that it was a beautiful day on top! The Team made great time from High Camp and were rewarded with great views all the way around. The guys were able to get off a few photos before heading down. The Team made it down to Camp 2 for the night and will descend to Base Camp in the morning.
What a great accomplishment for everyone. Stay focused and we will look forward to hearing from them when they return to Ama Dablam Base Camp.
All is well on Ama Dablam!
Greg Vernovage
November 8, 2017
The Ama Dablam Team checked in from High Camp this morning. Another great day and the Team has moved into position for the summit! Hydrate, eat, get some rest and look after each other is top priority at High Camp. The Team is doing great and very excited to start their final push to the summit. The Team has been working their way up the mountain and clearing old rope and tending to the new rope to help make the route clearer and help with descent.
The plan is to start climbing at 4:00am with a goal of standing on top between 7 or 8 in the morning. Thanks to everyone following along at home. We are all pulling for the Ama Dablam Team!
Greg Vernovage
Austin and Phunuru checked in this morning after a great climb to Camp 2 (19,350 ft) on their summit rotation. This is a tough day of climbing but the Team has done a great job and they are now tucked into Camp 2 above the Yellow Tower. What makes the climbing so challenging from Camp 1 to Camp 2 is a combination of exposure and altitude. As the Team approaches 20,000 ft, they must negotiate the Yellow Tower. The Yellow Tower section represents one of the great accomplishments for the climb. It is technically demanding and requires the Team to focus. The reward is pulling into camp with a great sense of accomplishment and the opportunity to get into the tent!
This Team has been working hard and they are enjoying great weather and views. Tomorrow, the Team will head to Camp 2.7 (20,800 ft) and be in position for the summit!
Greg Vernovage
November 6, 2017
Austin and Phunuru checked in overnight to let us know that the Team is doing great at Camp 1. The weather continues to hold and the Team is in great shape on their summit rotation. Ama Dablam has been busy this season but the report from Phunuru is that there is only one Team on the mountain besides IMG and it looks like they will have the upper camps and climbing route to themselves.
Austin said the Team will leave Camp 1 early tomorrow and should take about 2-3 hours to get to Camp 2. “Happy, Great Day and Feeling strong!†was the message that came in.
The summit rotation is on and we are all excited for the next check in.
All is well on Ama Dablam!
Greg Vernovage
November 3, 2017
The Ama Dablam Team is resting and will be ready to go uphill soon. Our 3X3 and 2X2 Teams checked in this morning as well. The 3X3 has arrived to Namche in good shape and in time to visit the Market.
The Namche Bazaar is one of the oldest markets in the world. The original trade destination for everyone from Tibet and the low lands of Nepal. The people from these different regions load up and bring their goods to Namche to trade and sell. The market continues to this day and is always a fun stop on the Trek.
Our 2X2 Team is one day behind in Dole today. They are also moving well and looking forward to reconnecting with the 3X3 Team tomorrow.
All is well in the Khumbu Valley!
Greg Vernovage
November 2, 2017
The Ama Dablam Team is resting at Base Camp for a few days before heading back up on their summit rotations. Rest, recover and get ready to head back up the mountain. The reports are that the climbing is fantastic and the mountain is in great condition. I will let these great photos that Austin and Phunuru sent in do the rest of the talking for Ama Dablam.
All is well on Ama Dablam and thank you to the Team for sending in fantastic pictures!
Greg Vernovage
November 1, 2017
Yellow Tower on Ama Dablam (Justin Merle)
Austin checked in this morning from Ama Dablam Base Camp. The Team had a great rotation up Ama Dablam, touching Camp 2 (19,350ft.) and spending 2 nights at Camp 1 (18,370ft.). The combination of technical climbing and altitude is challenging on this rotation. One of the more technical areas of the climb is the Yellow Tower (19,200ft.). The Team has done a good job and has earned a few days’ rest at Base Camp.
The Team is on schedule and doing a good job taking care of themselves. We want to give everyone plenty of time to gather strength and be ready for their summit rotation.
All is well on Ama Dablam!
Greg Vernovage
October 31, 2017
Our Ama Dablam Team continues to enjoy great weather for the climb. Austin checked in from the ridge between Camp 1 and Camp 2 last night. How cool is that! The nighttime temperatures are a little cooler than normal that reflects the clear skies at night. The Ama Dablam Team is making good progress with their acclimatization. Austin and Kevin touched Camp 2 at 19,350 ft and are spending a second night at Camp 1. Adam Clark and the rest of the Team moved to Camp 1 (18,370 ft) for their first night.
Judging from the photos that have been sent in, the Team is having a lot of fun climbing Ama Dablam!
Over in Gokyo, our 3X3 Team trekked to Fifth Lake and will climb Gokyo Ri tomorrow. Our 2X2 Team took a rest day at our beautiful Lobuche Base Camp and will head over Cho La Pass tomorrow to Thagnak.
All is well in the Khumbu Valley!
Greg Vernovage
October 30, 2017
Camp 2 on Ama Dablam. (Austin Shannon)
Austin checked in this morning to let us know that “All is well at Camp 1.â€Â The Team had a good day of climbing up to Camp 1 (18,370 ft) and will spend two nights up high as they acclimatize. The plan for the Hybrid Team is to touch Camp 2 (19,350 ft) tomorrow. This is a great opportunity for the Team to make gains in acclimatizing as well as learn the route. Our Classic Team is enjoying the night at Yak Camp and will be heading to Camp 1 in the morning.
Our Sherpa and Western Guide Team are looking high on the mountain. They are interested in establishing Camp 2.7 or a new Camp 3. The Team is working hard and climbing strong.
All is well on Ama Dablam!
Greg Vernovage
