Carstensz Pyramid Team In Yellow Valley

October 23, 2017

: Carstensz Pyramid (Greg Vernovage)

: Carstensz Climb (Jonathan Schrock)

It has been a busy weekend in Papua as the Team has now arrived at Yellow Valley Base Camp.Â Jonathan Schrock has reported that the Team is doing very well and had a great day acclimatizing and training at the Base of the route on Carstensz Pyramid.

The plan for the Team is to wake up at 1:00am and check the weather.Â If there is no rain and the Team can see stars, they are heading to the summit.

Carstensz Pyramid always poses a number of challenges and this year, the weather has been more of a challenge than anything else.Â We are keeping our eye on the weather and pulling for the Team!

All is well on Carstensz Pyramid!

Greg Vernovage

Pheriche –> Chukkung

October 23, 2017

: Trekking toward Chukkung (Harry Hamlin)

: The view from Chukkung. (Tye Chapman)

Harry and Austin checked in from Chukkung overnight to let us know the Team is doing great.Â It was a nice weekend spent in Pheriche (14,340 ft), where the Team took an acclimatization hike up the ridge to get views of Ama Dablam and Lhotse, and visited the HRA clinic to hear more about altitude and signs of AMS.Â From Pheriche, the trail becomes a bit narrower and rugged up to Chukkung, but the views keep getting better.

â€œThe Team is doing great and everyone is excited to trek up Chukkung Ri in the morning,â€ said Austin.Â Climbing Chukkung Ri will be the final group excursion before the Teams split off and say their goodbyes.Â In a couple days, Austin will head over to Ama Dablam Base Camp and the 3X3/2X2 will trek over Khongma La (18,320 ft).Â The Khongma La is the â€œhigh roadâ€ over to Lobuche.Â First thing is first – Chukkung Ri tomorrow!

All is well in Nepal.

Greg Vernovage

Mera Peak Team Summits

October 22, 2017

Looking up the route. (Eric Simonson)

The Mera Peak Team checked in overnight to let us know that they reached the summit of Mera Peak.Â It was a cool and clear night for climbing.Â Once the sun came up, the Team warmed up and mentioned that it was quite warm on top.

The Team has descended to Mera La and will spend a night there before packing up and heading to Thagnak tomorrow.

We will get a few summit photos as soon as the Team gets back in internet range.

All is well on Mera Peak!

Greg Vernovage

Carstensz Pyramid Team In Position

October 22, 2017

Carstensz Pyramid (Greg Vernovage)

The weather has been an issue all season this year on Carstensz Pyramid.Â There have been a number of Teams waiting at Yellow Valley to leave as well as in Timika.Â Our Team had to pump the brakes for a couple days but I’mÂ now happy to report that they have arrived to Yellow Valley.

The plan is to rest for a day or two, do a little training and be prepared to head for the summit.

All is well on Carstensz Pyramid!

Greg Vernovage

All Is Well In Khare

October 20th, 2017

: Looking down at Khare with fresh snow (Eric Simonson)

: Mera Peak Route (Compliments of Google Maps)

The Mera Peak Team checked in from Khare again today.Â I got a little ahead of myself and the Team yesterday when I noted they were moving up to Mera La.Â The Team had an active rest day in Khare where they trained for the climb to Mera La (5300m/17,388ft) and Mera Peak (6476m/21,246ft).

The weather looks good for the climb and the Team is feeling strong.

All is well in the Hinku Valley!

Greg Vernovage

Ama Dablam/3X3/2X2 in Pangboche

October 20th, 2017

: Team Photo with Ama Dablam behind. Ang Pasang is at the lower left of the photo. (Harry Hamlin)

: Sunset in Tengboche (Harry Hamlin)

: IMG Guides Harry Hamlin and Austin Shannon with Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Everest (Sherpa Fura)

Austin and Harry checked in from Pangboche this morning to let us know that everyone is doing fantastic.Â No headaches and perfect weather.Â The Team had a nice trek from Tengboche (12,600 ft) to Pangboche (13,100 ft) today.Â This is not a long day but we gain a bit more altitude and start breathing hard.

A highlight of the day was pulling into Pangboche and being welcome to long time IMG Sherpa Guide Ang Pasangâ€™s house.Â Ang Pasang is a legend.Â He has an incredible memory that stretches all the way to the early 80â€™s with expedition experience.Â If you get an opportunity to be around Ang Pasang and hear climbing stories, you have to take the opportunity.

After lunch, the Team walked to the Lodge where they will stay for the night.Â From the common room, the Team will be able to look right up hill at Ama Dablam.

All is well in the Khumbu Valley!

Greg Vernovage

Carstensz Team Hangs Tight

October 19, 2017

: Streets of Timika

: Ride to Nasidome (Dan Zokaites)

A quick update from Indonesia.Â The Carstensz Pyramid Team is in a holding pattern in Timika.Â The Team will wake up and check the weather conditions for flying today.Â They are packed and ready for when the bell rings and are excited to get out on the trail.

Carstensz is one of the best examples of patience and flexibility I have encountered.Â With clouds and the occasional thunderstorm, we are always keeping one eye looking up at the sky.Â The Team is doing well and will keep us updated on the next steps!

All is well in Timika!

Greg Vernovage

Tengboche Never Disappoints!

October 19th, 2017

: Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Everest (Austin Shannon)

: Tengboche Monastery at Night (Tye Chapman)

If you have been to the Khumbu Valley you know what we are talking about.Â If you have not been to the Khumbu Valley yet, be prepared to visit Tengboche and see all that is the Himalayas.Â Tengboche consists of a couple Tea Houses, a great bakery, a few horses grazing and of course, the Tengboche Monastery.Â The Monastery is a powerful visit where you can embrace the culture and religion of the Khumbu Valley.

Our Team had great weather for their trek and had the opportunity to visit the Monastery during afternoon prayer.Â What a great visit!

Tomorrow that Team will have a shorter day, trekking to Pangboche where they will visit long time IMG Sherpa Ang Pasangâ€™s house for some home cooking!

All is well in the Khumbu Valley!

Greg Vernovage

Mera Peak Moving Up to Khare

October 19th, 2017

: Khare with Mera La (Phinjo Sherpa)

: Trekking towards Khare (Phinjo Sherpa)

: On the trail to Khare (Eric Simonson)

The Mera Peak Team checked in from Khare (5000m/16,400ft) this morning after a great day on the trail.Â They continue to enjoy fantastic weather on this trip.Â The beautiful weather combined with the fantastic scenery makes for a great trip.Â This Team is getting along great and each time they check in, I can hear how well they are working together.

Tomorrow they will head to Mera La (5300m/17,388ft) for some training and to put themselves in position to summit Mera Peak!Â Kevin noted the sunset being amazing and we will work on getting a few photos to prove it.Â Weather is holding and we are excited to get the next report.

All is well in the Hinku Valley!

Greg Vernovage

October 18, 2017

: Right to Left-Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Everest (Tye Chapman)

: Trekking to Everest View Hotel (Harry Hamlin)

: High Fives for the IMG Teams in the Khumbu Valley (Austin Shannon)

Our Khumbu Teams enjoyed a nice day trekking up to the Everest View Hotel for acclimatization and to catch their first view of Ama Dablam and Mount Everest.Â This view is breath taking in many ways.Â The altitude is the obvious factor.Â The first site of the great mountains in the Himalaya leave me in awe each and every time I see it.

The afternoon was spent resting and preparing for tomorrow when the Team heads out for Tengboche (12,600 ft).Â The weather has been great and the Team is excited to visit the Tengboche Monastery.

All is well in the Khumbu Valley.

Greg Vernovage