November 13, 2017

The runway at the Lukla Airport. (Bhushan Karnik)

Things are winding down nicely for the Ama Dablam Team. Over the weekend they trekked from Ama Dablam Base Camp to Namche and then on to Lukla. Lukla is the end of the trail for these guys. If all goes as planned they’ll be on a plane to Kathmandu tomorrow morning (this evening PST).  Once in Kathmandu they’ll get cleaned up, do the duffle shuffle, and hopefully get their flights changed to get home a little earlier.

All is well in Lukla!

Tye Chapman

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 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