October 31, 2013
Raj and Brenda
Our last dinner in Kalimpong was just completed. Raj, our lead guide, handed out katas to the team. Brenda Gordon climbed Cho Oyu with us last month, stayed for this trek and was joined by her husband Dave.
It has been a super trip. Flights to Delhi tomorrow. Some members will fly home while others will stay one extra day to visit the Taj Mahal. What a way to end a great couple of weeks in India and Sikkim.
Phil
October 30, 2013
There are so many places to see in the world – how do we decide where to go next? Last winter I had the amazing experience of climbing Kilimanjaro and going on safari in Tanzania not once, not twice, but three times. I was very excited about the trip, but also a little nervous about guiding the same trip three times in a row. Would I be bored by the end of it? Not a chance.
Kilimanjaro is one of the most unique mountains I have climbed. The variety of terrain is fascinating, the African guides and porters are friendly, hardworking and fun. The climb is challenging, and the summit attainable without the need to carry a heavy pack. We arrived every afternoon to find the smiling faces of our porters and cooks, camp set up comfortably and the dining tent waiting with hot tea and delicious snacks. After completing my first climb of the mountain, I looked forward to the safari, but didn’t see how it could top the experience of the mountain. It’s hard to say which I enjoyed more, but I can at least say I loved the safari as much as the climb. We saw so many animals before even arriving at our first camp that I was completely amazed. Every day was a new adventure. We saw leopards sleeping in trees, birds that could have come from a Dr. Suess book, lions hunting, wildebeests and zebras migrating and countless other animals in their natural environment. We ate like kings, slept like logs, and took thousands of pictures trying desperately to capture what can’t possibly be captured in photos.
I look forward to going back this winter for two more climbs. I hope you will join me in January or February 2014!
IMG guide, Jenni Fogle
Where is Jenni now you ask? Leading a trek in Myanmar of course.
October 30, 2013
Kanpalet and Nat Ma Taung (Google Earth)
IMG guide Jenni Fogle reports by sat phone that the team traveled west by jeep into Chin State from Bagan (near Mandalay), and now have reached the village of Kanpalet in the hillcounty. They have a couple days to explore this area, which is inhabited by the tribes of Dai, Upu, and Ya clans. This is a very remote and rugged area….truly a step back in time. The people all do intricate facial tattooing and are known for their weaving skills.
Tomorrow the team will head for Mt. Victoria in Nat Ma Taung National Park and then on to the town of Mindat.  At over 10,000 feet elevation, Mt Victoria is one of the most prominent mountains in southeast Asia. The lower elevations are tropical forest, while the upper parts are an alpine “sky island†with many rare plant and animal species.
Sounds wild!
Eric Simonson
October 30, 2013
Darjeeling
Phil checked in from the ‘front country’ today. Yesterday they wrapped up their trek with a descent through rhododendron forests and a walk across a suspension bridge over the Praig chu, from there it was a short walk to the large village town of Yuksom.
While the trek is done, they’ve still got a bit of traveling to do. Today they made the drive from Yuksom to Darjeeling.
Tomorrow is a day of leisure to take in the town or maybe a do load of laundry or two. Either way it’s hotels and hot showers from here on out!
Tye Chapman
October 29, 2013
Looking north from a helicopter from near Lobuche village up the valley towards Everest Base Camp (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)
IMG guide Erica Engle reports that the team moved up to Lobuche village yesterday, and then today they moved up to Gorak Shep, the last little village below Everest Base Camp. Next stop is Kala Pattar! This 18,500 foot peak has a great view of Mt Everest and is the classic summit on the way to Base Camp. The recent snowfall from the big storm has left a thick layer in the mountains, so the footing is a bit slippery along the way.   So far so good!
Eric Simonson
October 28, 2013
The Myanmar trek team flew north to Bagan today, the ancient city that was once the capital of the Pagan kingdom that unified Burma back in the 11th-13th centuries. There were once over 10,000 temples in Bagan and even today several thousand remain. IMG guide Jenni Fogle reports that “we visited a few important temples, had a great lunch at an Indian restaurant and visited a lacquerware factory. We’ll be going out for an early dinner tonight and getting an early start in the morning to head to Kanpalet. Our local guide has double-checked the road conditions and it sounds like all is clear for our overland journey to the west into Chin State. I’ll be checking in tomorrow with a report from Kanpalet.”
Eric Simonson
October 28, 2013
Phil & team checked in over the weekend to report that all is well and everyone is happy! The weekend kicked off with an early Saturday morning hike to catch another stunning sunrise on Kangchenjunga and neighboring peaks in Sikkim. Weather was still and clear. After a four hour climb to Goecha La (4800m) on Sunday, the team was rewarded with a new view of the east face of Kangchenjunga at a distance of less than 4 miles. They spun a 180 and headed downhill, dipping down to camp at 13,000 ft – all tired but happy. The fresh clean snow left by the recent cyclone not only enhanced the surrounding scenery, but made for good travel as the snow was quite firm.
Today was a long 7 hour walk through the rhododendron and magnolia forests down to the tiny settlement of Tsokha just below 9,000 ft. They made it to camp as the rain began to fall. Tomorrow will be another 5 hours down to the village of Yuksom, which will complete the trekking portion of the trip. They’ll enjoy warm beds and hotel amenities tomorrow night.
Becky Kjorvestad
October 28, 2013
The north side of Ama Dablam taken from near Chukkung village in the Imja Khola valley (Eric Simonson)
IMG guide Erica Engle reports “Yesterday we trekked to the village of Chukkung, situated at the edge of the morainal terrain below the Lhotse and Lhotse Nup Glaciers. We enjoyed tea from the cozy sunroom of our lodge while marveling at the incredible amphitheater of peaks before us, including the north side of Ama Dablam, Amphu Gyabjen, Island Peak, and the massive wall of Nuptse, Lhotse, and Lhotse Shar. With an early start today, we had a nice climb of Chukking Ri (18,190 ft / 5546m) to get our first taste of some high altitude.  From the summit we enjoyed great views, then made our way back down to Dingboche, where we are prepping for tomorrow’s trek to Lobuche. Due to heavy snow up high (which remains from the big cyclone) we are not going to be able to cross Kongma La pass, so we are going down and around to Lobuche.”
Eric Engle
October 28, 2013
IMG guide Jenni Fogle reports that our first IMG Myanmar Trek is off to a good start. Everyone made it to Yangon, Myanmar (previously known as Rangoon, Burma) with all their luggage, and has settled in to their rooms at the Traders Hotel in the bustling downtown area.  Jenni reports “After breakfast this morning we headed to Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the largest Buddhist temples in Myanmar. We also saw the famous reclining Buddha statue, took a break for some wonderful traditional Myanmar food, and did a little shopping at a local market. We’re resting and packing this afternoon, then getting up early tomorrow morning to fly to Bagan.â€
Eric Simonson
October 25, 2013
Another good weather report from Phil this morning. He reports that today was a relatively easy walk to Dzongri . They crossed the river and then climbed gradually up to the pass and then down through the vast grazing grounds of Dzongri.. From there they had excellent views of Rathong and other mountains besides Kanchenjunga. It was a nice warm afternoon of rest and relaxation.
Tomorrow they’ll wake up nice and early (4:00am) and hike up to the local viewpoint for sunrise on Kangchenjunga and it’s neighboring peaks of Rathong (6683m.), Kokthang (6150m.), Kabru Dome (6604m.) and Forked Peak (6116m.). Sunrise in Sikkim is around 5:30am this time of year. After soaking in the sun they’ll head back down for breakfast then hit the trail for about 6 hours, eventually stopping at their camp near Lamune (4164m).
Tye Chapman
