November 6, 2014

The news is good from Nepal.  The weather was suitable for flying this morning which enabled the 3X3 trek team to get from Lukla back to Kathmandu.  The team had a farewell dinner tonight at the Rum Doodle restaurant and signed one of the big yeti feet!  Yesterday, some of the Ama Dablam team climbed back up the South Ridge to above Camp 2 to get a better look at the slopes below the Dablam Glacier, where the recent icefall accident took place.  The climbers are now down and off the hill, and on their way back home.  Phunuru and the Sherpa team report that they are packing up the gear at Base Camp and will be moving it back to our IMG storerooms in Pangboche and Gorak Shep for the spring season.

Thanks for following along with our Autumn 2014 Nepal teams on the IMG Blog, and thanks again to our guides, Sherpas, and team members!

Greg Vernovage

October 31, 2014

Our 3 x 3 Team reached the summit of Gokyo Ri during another perfect day in the valley.  They are certainly having an opportunity to see all that Nepal has to offer in the Khumbu Valley.  The team will visit 5th Lake tomorrow and then head down valley towards Phortse.

On Ama Dablam, Mike and Phunuru checked in from BC.  The team is doing well and had a good climb with part of the group climbing up to Camp 2 and returning to Camp 1.

Climbing up to Camp 2 (Justin Merle)

Mark and his group met Josh at Camp 1 and will touch Camp 2 tomorrow.  The Teams have reported great conditions on the route.  Everyone is getting prepared for the summit rotation on Ama Dablam.

Our Lobuche Climbing Team left BC and pointed down valley towards Pangboche.  Their plan is to continue to Lukla after a successful summit!

Greg Vernovage

October 30, 2014

Lobuche Summit (Eben Reckord)

Lobuche Summits!

Climbers topping out on Lobuche (Greg Vernovage)

Senior Sherpa Guide, Phinjo called from the summit of Lobuche.  All is well and the Team had a great day climbing and taking in the views from the summit of Lobuche.  Congratulations to the Lobuche climbers!  They are all back at Base Camp enjoying hot drinks and food…and a good night sleep.

From Lobuche High Camp the Team bends around a small lake and hits the rock slabs up to Crampon point.  From Crampon Point, they are on snow and steeper terrain.  Tashi was up early, fixing the route to the summit.

The view of EBC and the Khumbu Ice Fall are amazing.  Everest and Lhotse tower over the entire valley.  It is amazing to take in the enormity and vastness of the Valley from on top of Lobuche.

3 x 3 Trekkers in Gokyo

Tye checked in from Gokyo.  That team is out there.  Just more great weather.  The trail to Gokyo is up and down though high passes.  Tye was able to send in a few more great pictures from out there.  As always, I will let those pictures tell most of the story.

The 3 x 3 trekkers are earning it with snow on the ground but are very happy with the scenery.

Ama Dablam update

Mike Hamill called in from Base Camp on Ama Dablam.  All is well with our Team.  Mike is back at BC and will rest for a couple days before heading up on their summit bid.

Ama Dablam Camp 2 (Justin Merle)

Mark and his group are at Yak camp and will head to Camp 1 tomorrow.

Josh is at Camp 1 and will head to Camp 2 before returning to BC.

Word from higher on the mountain is that the route is in great condition.  It is time to start looking closely at the weather and find that summit window.

Greg Vernovage

October 29, 2014

Looking West to Khumbu Glacier and Lobuche Peak from Khongma La (Tye Chapman)

Another great night in the Khumbu has our Teams moving!

Our Lobuche climbing team has done their training and is ready to test themselves on Lobuche Peak tonight.  Tye Chapman called in from Thagnak after an up and down day on the trail for the 3 x 3 Team.  Tye called just as night was falling and said the sky was bright with stars and thinks the Lobuche Team will have a cool and clear night for their climb.  Go get Lobuche!  We are all pulling for you!

Tye and the 3 x 3 Trekking Team has been earning every step.  They went over Chola Pass and into Thagnak.  Conditions are good and the Team is looking forward to checking out Gokyo tomorrow.

On Ama Dablam, Mark Allen sent in a few photos and wanted to let us know that the Team is doing great and working hard towards their last rotation before the summit bid.

Mike has been to Camp 2 and is now back at BC.  Josh took off for a couple nights up high.  They will spend a night around 18,000 feet and then two more at Camp 2.  This will put them in position to go for the summit.  Mark and his team are right behind Josh, Mark notes, “following in their footsteps.”

Greg Vernovage