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).Â It always feels good when you arrive to your Base Camp and see how nice it is.Â The Team has met the advanced Sherpa Team as well as a couple more guides that have also arrived.Â Adam Clark and Phunuru came over from doing a trek in Rolwaling, Kevin Kayl trekked up from Lukla after his fantastic Mera Peak Climb.Â Our advanced Sherpa Team arrived a couple weeks ago to get a good sight for Base Camp and organize gear and the kitchen.Â 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!Â The Team will have their Puja in the morning and train in the afternoon.Â Once the training has been done, our Guide team will evaluate the needs of our Team and begin rotations up the mountain.Â The Team is strong and excited to do some climbing on Ama Dablam.

All is well at Ama Dablam Base Camp!

Greg Vernovage

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).Â This high altitude pass is a big test for the Team.Â Everyone did very well after the rest day in Chukkung.Â The views are incredible on this part of the trek.Â 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

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.Â The Team has done a great job showing tons of patience during this expedition.Â The weather has been causing havoc this season on Carstensz but the team rolled with it and was rewarded.Â 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!Â Jonathan set the alarm for 1 am and stuck his head outside the tent flap to evaluate conditions.Â It was cold and there were stars in the sky.Â Best weather forecast you can ask for; it was â€œgo time.â€Â The Team checked in when they arrived on top of the ridge.Â Cold with perfect weather.Â A few more hours to the summit.Â 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.Â This was not to be.Â Jonathan sent one simple text yesterday.Â â€œRain mixed with a little snow.â€Â The helicopter was shut down for the day but they plenty of food and fuel.Â We received some good news just few minutes ago; the 2017 Carstensz Pyramid Team has arrived safely back to Timika.Â Time toÂ celebrate! … and dry the gear out.

All is well on Carstensz Pyramid!

Greg Vernovage

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.Â This was the time to split the 3X3/2X2 and Ama Dablam Team.Â Our 3X3/2X2 had a rest day today in order to gather the energy needed for the trek over Khongma La.Â 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.Â Sorting gear and getting rigged for Ama Dablam!

All is well in the Khumbu Valley!

Greg Vernovage

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.Â The team enjoyed perfect weather as they climbed Chukkung Ri (18,238 ft).Â Nice job everyone!

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

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.Â The Team is in Lukla for the night, in thicker air.Â Kevin called to check in and let us know that the Team is â€œcelebrating their success.â€

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.Â One more flight tomorrow morning and the Team will be back in KTM.Â This yearâ€™s Mera Peak Trip went as smooth as can be for the Team.Â Great weather, beautiful scenery and great company.Â 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

Carstensz Pyramid Team Summits

October 23, 2017

: Carstenz Summit Panorama (Jonathan Schrock)

: Climbing on Carstensz (Sean Tucker)

: Rappelling on Carstensz (John Dahlem)

Just in from Jonathan Schrock on Carstensz Pyramid. â€œSummit. Great weather. All is well.â€

Great news to end Monday and start the week for all of us.Â Jonathan said that the Team is climbing well with icy conditions.Â They will spend a little time on top before focusing on the descent.

Way to go Carstensz Pyramid Team!

Greg Vernovage

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