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Lobuche Peak Summits

October 30, 2017

View from the summit of Lobuche (Justin Merle)

Great news from Lobuche Peak (20,075 ft) overnight!  Harry and Dawa checked in to let us know that they reached the summit of Lobuche Peak.  The Team started climbing at 4 am.  It was clear and cold for at the start of the climb.  This is a great climb!  High Camp is a short distance from Lobuche Base Camp.  It takes the team about an hour and a half of trekking to arrive to High Camp (17,300 ft).  From High Camp, the Team bends around a small lake and onto the rock slabs.  From the rock slabs, the Team works their way through the rocks and heads up a steep trough that we fix before arriving at Crampon Point.  By now the sun is coming up and the views are fantastic.  On the climbers right, they see the North Ridge of Ama Dablam and behind them, Kangtega.  Up the fix lines, slow and steady the summit brings views of Everest, Lhotse and Makalu.  Lower in the distance is Everest Base Camp.  This is a great climb to get the big picture of the Himalayan Mountains!

Greg Vernovage

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Weekend Himalayan Update

October 29, 2017

Ama Dablam camps. (Eric Simonson)
IMG Sherpa heading up to Yak Camp. (Phunuru Sherpa)
On top of Kala Pattar.

 

A lot of good stuff is happening this weekend so I thought I would let everyone know how our Teams are doing in the Khumbu Valley.

First up: The 2X2/3X3 Teams trekked to the summit of Kala Pattar!  Harry and the Team woke early to beat the crowd and take advantage of the great weather they have been having.  It was a “cool” trek in a few ways.  They left Gorakshep with a couple extra layers on and slowly made their way to the summit of the legendary peak of Kala Pattar (18,192 ft).  After their summit, the Teams made their way back down to Gorakshep for lunch before continuing down and around…Down and around means the 2X2 traversed around the lower hill of Lobuche to Base Camp to set themselves up for the Lobuche Peak Climb.  They were met by LONG time Sherpa Guide Dawa.  The 3X3 Team continued around Lobuche Peak to a very small village called Dzongla.  This is a two lodge town where our Trekking Team can get a bit of rest.  They are heading for the trail less traveled now.

Harry and Dawa checked in from High Camp on Lobuche this morning.  The weather is trending very well and the Team is feeling strong.  They are in position to climb Lobuche Peak tonight!

Over on Ama Dablam, Austin and Phunuru let us know that they received a bit of snow yesterday.  Just enough to put a fresh coat of paint on everything in the morning.  The morning came and with it, clear skies and warming temperatures.  Austin and Kevin headed up to Yak Camp (17,000 ft) with the first group of climbers on their first rotation.  The second group will follow them up with IMG Guide Adam Clark.  The Teams will climb to Camp 1 (18,370 ft) and sleep tomorrow, then touch Camp 2 (19,350 ft) and descend to Camp 1 for another night.

All is well in the Khumbu Valley!

Greg Vernovage

 

 

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Puja Day At Ama Dablam Base Camp

October 27, 2017

Ama Dablam Team with Lama Mingma Dorge from Pangboche (Austin Shannon)
Tribute at the Puja (Austin Shannon)

Some of the IMG Guide Team at the Puja with Ama Dablam (Austin Shannon)
Training day. (Austin Shannon)

 

It was a perfect day for the Puja at Ama Dablam Base Camp.  Phunuru and Austin let us know that everyone is doing well and it was a great day.  The Puja Ceremony is very important to our Team.  It is time to give thanks and ask for permission to climb.  Our old friend, Mingma Dorge from Pangboche has been coming to our EBC Camp in the spring and made the journey to Ama Dablam BC from Pangboche.  He is a wonderful man who has all of our respect.  Thank you for helping us each year!

After the Puja, the Team rigged up and did some training close to camp.  Practice and training is important.  We want to know our systems inside and out, upside down and in a cold shower with the lights off.  Efficiency is one of the big keys to climbing big mountains.

Tomorrow, the Team is going to start their rotations.  The plan is to trek up to Yak Camp and see how everyone is feeling and moving.

It is time to do some climbing on Ama Dablam!

Greg Vernovage

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Trekkers Arrive At Everest Base Camp

October 27, 2017

Harry and a couple memebers of the team.
Kala Pattar Ths Way! (Tye Chapman)
Khumbu Glacier Panorama. (Tye Chapman)

 

Harry Hamlin checked in from Gorakshep to let us know that the Team had another great day on the trail and made it to Everest Base Camp.  Nice job everyone!  The weather was as good as it gets for the Team.

Tomorrow, the plan is to wake up early and trek to the summit of Kala Pattar and then back down and around to Lobuche Village.  From Lobuche Village, the 2X2/Lobuche and 3X3 Teams will split up; the 3×3 heading to Dzongla and the 2X2 Team will head up to Lobuche Base Camp to get ready for their climb.

All is well at Everest Base Camp!

Greg Vernovage

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Ama Dablam Team Settling In At Base Camp

October 26, 2017

IMG Guide Adam Clark with Ama Dablam (Phunuru Sherpa)
Ama Dablam Team enjoying lunch outside at BC (Phunuru_Sherpa)
Ama Dablam from Base Camp (Phunuru Sherpa)

 

The Ama Dablam Team pulled into Base Camp today (14,763 ft).  It always feels good when you arrive to your Base Camp and see how nice it is.  The Team has met the advanced Sherpa Team as well as a couple more guides that have also arrived.  Adam Clark and Phunuru came over from doing a trek in Rolwaling, Kevin Kayl trekked up from Lukla after his fantastic Mera Peak Climb.  Our advanced Sherpa Team arrived a couple weeks ago to get a good sight for Base Camp and organize gear and the kitchen.  Judging from the photos that Phunuru sent back, I would say that the Team is enjoying the food and scenery

Tomorrow is a Puja Day!  The Team will have their Puja in the morning and train in the afternoon.  Once the training has been done, our Guide team will evaluate the needs of our Team and begin rotations up the mountain.  The Team is strong and excited to do some climbing on Ama Dablam.

All is well at Ama Dablam Base Camp!

Greg Vernovage

 

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Chukkung –> Lobuche

October 26, 2017

Chukkung in the rear view, heading toward Khongma La Pass. (Harry Hamlin)
The team at Khongma La.

Lobuche Peak and Cho Oyu from Khongma La (Harry Hamlin)
The pass is behind them, the Khumbu Glacier is in front of them just behind the lateral moraine. (Harry Hamlin)

The 3X3/2X2 Team checked in from Lobuche Village today to let us know that the weather was perfect for the trek over Khongma La (18,320ft).  This high altitude pass is a big test for the Team.  Everyone did very well after the rest day in Chukkung.  The views are incredible on this part of the trek.  They did not disappoint once again!

Tomorrow, the Team will head up to Gorakshep where they will set themselves up to visit EBC (17,500 ft) as well as climb Kala Pattar (18,192 ft).

Greg Vernovage

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Carstensz Pyramid Team Back In Timika

October 25, 2017

Climber on Tyrolean Traverse. AKA The Monkey Hammock.(Greg Vernovage)
Climber rappelling. (Greg Vernovage)
Pickup Time at Yellow Valley (John Dahlem)

 

Carstensz Pyramid is an adventure.  The Team has done a great job showing tons of patience during this expedition.  The weather has been causing havoc this season on Carstensz but the team rolled with it and was rewarded.  After a couple days of weather, the Team made it into Yellow Valley where they trained and acclimatized.

The next day was for the summit!  Jonathan set the alarm for 1 am and stuck his head outside the tent flap to evaluate conditions.  It was cold and there were stars in the sky.  Best weather forecast you can ask for; it was “go time.”  The Team checked in when they arrived on top of the ridge.  Cold with perfect weather.  A few more hours to the summit.  The Team reached the summit on a great day and celebrated before refocusing and working their way back to Base Camp.

Happy and tired, the Team ate dinner and made the perfect plan to call in the Helicopter the next morning.  This was not to be.  Jonathan sent one simple text yesterday.  “Rain mixed with a little snow.”  The helicopter was shut down for the day but they plenty of food and fuel.  We received some good news just few minutes ago; the 2017 Carstensz Pyramid Team has arrived safely back to Timika.  Time to  celebrate! … and dry the gear out.

All is well on Carstensz Pyramid!

Greg Vernovage

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A Fork In The Road

October 25, 2017

The view from Khongma La Pass down todwards the Khumbu Glacier and Lobuche village. (Tye Chapman)
Ama Dablam. (Tye Chapman)

 

The Ama Dablam Team departed Chukkung this morning and made it to Ama Dablam Base Camp.  This was the time to split the 3X3/2X2 and Ama Dablam Team.  Our 3X3/2X2 had a rest day today in order to gather the energy needed for the trek over Khongma La.  This is a longer day of the trek but the reward is there with the view.

The Ama Dablam Team will take an active rest day tomorrow, followed by the Puja the day after.  Sorting gear and getting rigged for Ama Dablam!

All is well in the Khumbu Valley!

Greg Vernovage

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Ama Dablam/3X3/2X2 Teams Summit Chukkung Ri

October 24, 2017

Ama Dablam. (Tye Chapman)
Climbing Chukkung Ri. (Tye Chapman)
Summit views from Chukkung Ri. (Tye Chapman)
Team members on the summit of Chukkung Ri. (Harry Hamlin)

Austin and Harry checked in after the Teams returned to Chukkung after a perfect day of trekking and climbing.  The team enjoyed perfect weather as they climbed Chukkung Ri (18,238 ft).  Nice job everyone!

Tomorrow is a rest day for the Teams.  This will also be the last day all of the Teams are together before they split up to tackle their next objectives.  The Ama Dablam Team will shift gears and head over to Base Camp.  The 3X3/2X2 Teams will have a more strenuous day as they take the trail less traveled over Khongma La Pass (18,320 ft).  This is high altitude trekking and the reward is great as this team gains elevation and crosses onto the famous Khumbu Glacier.  The good news is that have a day to rest up!

We have dates on the website for the 2018 Khumbu Valley Trekking and Climbing Season.

Greg Vernovage

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Mera Peak Team Back In Lukla

October 24, 2017

Climbing Mera Peak with Everest behind (Phunuru Sherpa)
Mera Peak Summit Team (Phinjo Sherpa)

The clouds parted and the helicopters came in to pick up our Mera Peak Team today.  The Team is in Lukla for the night, in thicker air.  Kevin called to check in and let us know that the Team is “celebrating their success.”

The word from Lukla is that the Team is enjoying a few beverages in Lukla and we may have heard there was some singing involved.  One more flight tomorrow morning and the Team will be back in KTM.  This year’s Mera Peak Trip went as smooth as can be for the Team.  Great weather, beautiful scenery and great company.  If you have been following along and looking for a fantastic trek next year, you should consider Mera Peak 2018!

All is well from Lukla!

Greg Vernovage

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