Dolpo Trekkers Continue North Towards Tibet

September 23, 2013

Click to see the full sized Dolpo Trek map on Google

Adam Angel reports the team had a well-deserved rest day at Phoksundo Lake, after several days of trekking up through old growth Juniper forests.Â They camped at the Lake, did some exploring, and also enjoyed showers and a celebration of Adam’s birthday which I am sure he will not forget!Â Now the trekkers and Sherpa staff continue trekking north for several more days with mules carrying their camping gear.Â Their next big goal is making it over the Nangdala La (pass) at over 17,500 feet, from which they drop down to the Shey Monastery.Â At this point they will have essentially crossed the Himalayas to the Tibetan plateau, and this area is high, arid, and ethnically Tibetan… it just ended up on the Nepal side of the border!

Eric Simonson

Cho Oyu Climbers Reach Camp 2

September 23, 2013

Camp 2 at about 23000 feet on Cho Oyu (Greg Vernovage)

Mike Hamill reports that the weather and route conditions were very good yesterday and the team had a nice climb up to Camp 2, where they spent the night.Â Then, today, they are dropping back down to Camp 1 for another night.Â This will make for a good acclimatization foundation for the summit bids.

Eric Simonson

Tibet Trekkers Reach Lhasa

September 22, 2013

The IMG trekkers reached Lhasa yesterday, as they near the end of their 23 day program.Â Unlike people who fly into Lhasa at the beginning of their trip, then fight the altitude sickness for the first few days, our team will be strong and acclimatized, so they can get out and really enjoy their visit.Â They have three nights in a nice hotel, so that means some good showers and food, and two full days for sightseeing.

On the agenda is the Potela Palace, Johkang Temple, Barkhor market area and other places.Â Â Their flight back to Kathmandu will be early morning on the 24th from the Lhasa Gonggar Airport.

Eric Simonson

First Kili Trip Wrapping Up

September 21, 2013

The End (Kathy Harshbarger)

Chris shot us an email this morning to let us know theyâ€™re wrapping up the first September Kilimanjaro expedition.Â Last day of game viewing was sweet.Â Close up, full on, ringside seats to a cheetah chase, takedown and kill.Â Only problem was those pesky lions.Â Cheetah arenâ€™t big and lion can steal their kill and they did just that.Â East Africa game viewing at its finest.

Groups are being dropped off at the airport now for flights home.Â A good climb, good safari and a great group of people.

Second September team is arriving now and all will be in by early morning of the 22^nd.Â One down and one to go!

Phil Ershler

Carstensz Climbers Fly in to Sugapa

Timika Airport

September 21, 2013

IMG guide Dan Zokaites reports by sat phone that the team successfully flew today to Sugapa, the jumping off place for their trek to Base Camp.Â The flight was delayed in the morning due to bad weather in Timika, but it subsequently cleared up and they flew later in the day.Â They are spending the night in Sugapa tonight and will start trekking into the jungle tomorrow.Â According to the map, they have only 37 miles to get to BC, but this is going to be some tough hikingâ€¦ so we are planning 6 days of trekking to get there!

Eric Simonson

Cho Oyu Trekkers in Shigatse

Tashilhunpo Monastery

September 21, 2013

The Tibet Trek team travelled east today across Tibet to Shigatse, home of the famous Tashilhunpo Monastery as well as Tibet’s second most populated city (about 46,000 compared to 172,000 in Lhasa).Â This section of the Kathmandu-Lhasa road feels pretty remote, crossing several high passes. It’s some wild country and has always reminded me of driving across Nevada!

Eric Simonson

Cho Oyu Climbers Moving Up

September 21, 2013

Cho Oyu Team in ABC

IMG guide Mike Hamill reports that it is clear and sunny this morning at ABC and the team is all set for the Camp 2 rotation.Â Weather forecast is good for the next few days.Â They are heading for Camp 1 today and then up to Camp 2 tomorrow, where they hope to spend a night up there (at over 7100 meters / 23,300 feet).Â 23K will be a new highpoint for most of the team members, and sleeping up at that altitude requires a good foundation of acclimatization.Â The team has now been in Tibet for three weeks, and their acclimatization response should really be kicking in now.Â A good Camp 2 rotation now will set them up well for the summit bids.

Eric Simonson

Dolpo Trekkers Heading for Phoksundo Lake

September 20, 2013

Phoksundo Lake

IMG guide Adam Angel reports by sat-phone that the team started trekking north today, up a long gradual valley following the Suli Khola River, after yesterday’s camp at Dunai.Â He described how today they have crossed a cultural demarcation line.Â Whereas yesterday and this morning were all Nepalese hillfolk, predominantly Hindu, this afternoon and onward they have moved into an area peopled by those of Tibetan ancestry.Â The name of the river changes too; it is now called the Phoksundo Khola.Â Tomorrow they enter the forest zone, and the team will continue to follow this river for two more days of trekking, until they reach its source: the large Phoksundo Lake at nearly 12,000 feet in the Shey Phoksundo National Park.

Eric Simonson

A Safari To Remember

September 20, 2013

From: Chris Meder
Sent: Friday, September 20, 2013 12:30 AM
To: Phil Ershler
Subject: Welcome to the Serengeti

Phil,

: Let’s eat.

: Photo op!

: Pop-top with a view.

First day on safari in the Serengeti did not disappoint.Â Lions,Â check. Leopard with cub, yep.Â Cheetah within spitting distance?Â Giraffes?Â Herd of buffalo?Â Yes, yes and yes.Â Not a bad way to start out.Â The safari guides made their wages today.Â Â And dinner wasn’t too bad either.Â Tomorrow is a full day game drive in the Serengeti, and everyone has their wish list. Based on today, that shouldn’t be a problem.

And, you’ll find 3 photos attached.Â You’ll see the group first day in the safari vehicle and you’ll also see one with the group taking photos of the sunrise and scouting for animals on a rock outcrop at our Serengeti camp.

Speaking of safari camp, check out the group at dinner in the mobile bush camp in the Serengeti.Â Cooks are again putting on an outstanding performance.

Chris

Let’s Talk Oxygen

September 20, 2013

: Oxygen clinic on Cho Oyu.

: Kaji in the cook tent.

Mike Hamill reports that the Cho Oyu climbers did an oxygen clinic this morning and got packed up this afternoon for their next rotation up the hill. During their rest days there has been a bit of snowfall at ABC, but not much has fallen up higher.Â Today the Sherpas finished fixing into Camp 2 and they report good snow conditions.Â If the weather is good tomorrow the team will head to Camp 1 tomorrow and Camp 2 the following day.

Eric Simonson