Carstensz Pyramid Expedition in Timika

October 17, 2016

: The Market in Timika (Greg Vernovage)

: Our Ride to Nasidome (Greg Vernovage)

Jonathan Schrock called from Timika to let us know that everything is going as planned for the Carstensz Pyramid Expedition.Â The gear has been checked, packed, and repacked to cut as much weight as possible for the helicopter flight.Â As long as the weather holds, the plan will be to fly into Nasidome (11,900 ft / 3,627 m) in the morning.Â We need about three hours of good weather for the helicopter flights into Nasidome.Â If they manage to get in tomorrow morning, they will be one day ahead of schedule.Â If they donâ€™t fly, no problem, there is training to be done!

Greg Vernovage

3 X 3 in Dingboche

October 17, 2016

: Tengboche Monastery at Night (Tye Chapman)

: Khumjung with Everest and Ama Dablam (Phu Tashi)

The 3 X 3 Trek has moved into Dingboche over the weekend.Â The Team is enjoying beautiful weather in the Khumbu Valley and taking advantage of it by viewing all of the sights along the way on their trek. Â The Team stayed in Khumjung for a night before heading to Tengboche and then on to Dingboche.

Greg Vernovage

Mera Peak Team Enjoying Khare

October 17, 2006

: Khare (16,404 ft / 5000 m) (Mingma Tenjing II)

: Acclimatizing above Khare (Mingma Tenjing II)

The Mera Peak Team had a great weekend moving into Khare (16,404 ft /5000 m) and training for their upcoming climb. It has been cool and clear for the Team.Â The trek up the Hinku Valley is quite a bit quieter than the Khumbu Valley.Â Gaining elevation to acclimatize can find the Team sitting by themselves, taking in the magnificent views.Â Tomorrow, they will move to Mera la and get into position for their climb!

Greg Vernovage

Khunde/Khumjung Loop

October 14, 2016

: Namche with Thamserku (Tye Chapman)

: Trekking in Khumjung (Tye Chapman)

Our 3 X 3 Trek enjoyed an active rest day.Â They took the Khunde/Khumjung trail loop and decided to stay in Khumjung for the night.Â On the trek, they visited the Khunde Hospital which is one of the best in the Khumbu Valley and then around to the Hillary School in Khumjung.Â Khumjung is a quiet village with a monastery that keeps the legendary Yeti skull.

The Team is enjoying great weather and feeling good!

Greg Vernovage

All good in Thagnak

October 14, 2016

: Route to Thagnak (Eric Simonson)

: Trail to Thagnak (Eric Simonson)

Phunuru checked in from Thagnak (11,417ft /4350m) in the Hinku Valley today.Â The Team is doing great and had a beautiful trek today.Â The Mera Peak Team got an early start and made it to Thagnak before lunch.Â Tomorrow, the Team will take in the sites around Thagnak and do some more acclimating.

Greg Vernovage

Acclimatization In Khote

October 13, 2016

Acclimatization hike near Khote (Eric Simonson)

The Mera Peak Team took the day to stretch their legs around Khote (11,417ft/ 3480m) and start adjusting to the altitude. Â Slow and steady is the key for the first few days in the Hinku Valley.Â Tomorrow, the Team will head up to Thagnak (14,271ft/ 4350m) and get a great look at their objective, Mera Peak.

Greg Vernovage

3 X 3 Pulls Into Namche

October 13, 2016

: Trekking up Namche hill (Tye Chapman)

: Bridge to Namche (Tye Chapman)

: Namche (Tye Chapman)

Our 3 X 3 trekking team pulled into Namche on a beautiful day.Â They got an early start out of Phakding and worked their way through a few villages to the high suspension bridge.Â The bridge to Namche hill will get your attention, I am not quite sure how high it is off the ground because I just donâ€™t look down!

A couple days exploring Namche and the surrounding sights for our Team.Â Hello to everyone in the Khumbu Lodge from everyone back here in the USA!

Greg Vernovage

Three by Three Trek in Phakding

October 12, 2016

: Trekking to Phakding (Greg Vernovage)

: Lukla Airport (Greg Vernovage)

: Welcome Sign (Greg Vernovage)

The 3 x 3 Trek has moved like clockwork into the Khumbu Valley.Â They flew to Lukla 9,383 ft (2860 m) on schedule and had a fantastic day trekking to Phakding 8,701 ft (2,652 m).Â Phakding is a beautiful place to camp where if you want to sleep with your window open, you can hear the river run.Â Tomorrow, the team has Namche Hill!Â They will wake up early and hit the trail to Namche, crossing a few high suspended bridges and trekking step by step up hill to Namche.

Beautiful days in the Valley!

Greg Vernovage

Beautiful Day In Khote

October 12, 2016

: Heli flight into Khote (Photo: Phunuru)

: Khote (Eric Simonson)

: Heli flight into Khote (Photo: Phunuru)

: View from Khote to Mera Peak (Eric Simonson)

Phunuru checked in from Khote (11,417ft/ 3480m).Â The Helicopter flight went smooth and they are enjoying a beautiful day in the Hinku Valley.Â The Team will get to stretch their legs for a number of days now.Â On the schedule, an acclimatization hike around Khote.

IMG Guide, Phunuru, you may notice is just back from a great climb of Cho Oyu and Kilimanjaro before that.Â Great weather is following him!

Greg Vernovage

Mera Peak on Schedule

October 11, 2016

: Mera Peak Team (Phunuru)

: Mera Peak Trekking Route

Our Mera Peak Team arrived to Kathmandu with all of their gear and flew to Lukla for the start of the Mera Peak Climb.Â The plan is to sleep in Lukla (9,334ftÂ / 2845m) and fly to Khote (11,417ft/ 3480m) in the morning by helicopter.Â This trek starts with some old fashion duffle shuffle and various forms of air travel to get the Team far enough up and out to enjoy the remote Hinku Valley.Â With the monsoon starting to move away, the Team is expecting to get some great views of the Himalayas over the next two weeks!

Greg Vernovage