September 8, 2013

IMG guide Mike Hamill reports that all’s well at Base Camp, and the team is ready to move tomorrow to IC (Intermediate Camp) at about 17,000 ft, then on up to ABC (over 18,500 ft) the following day. No one is having issues with the altitude.

This morning the team took a short acclimatization hike, then spent the rest of the day getting packed up, playing cards, and watching movies.  Tonight they celebrated the 50th birthday of Terry, one of the Tibet Trekkers… that will be a birthday party to remember!

Eric Simonson

September 2, 2013

IMG leader Mike Hamill reports that the team moved up the steep winding road along the Bhote Kosi canyon from Zhangmu to Nyalam yesterday, reaching this key town (a little over 12,000 feet) on the way to Cho Oyu. Today they took an acclimatization hike, climbing the grassy hillsides above the town.  Mike says that the team is doing well. A few small headaches but other than that, no sickness or issues.

Many of the IMG Sherpas and Mr. Li (the liaison officer) went ahead today to set up the base camp, while Nawang the interpreter and Mingma stayed back to spend another night with the team in Nyalam.

Tomorrow the plan is to move up higher, past Milarepa’s Cave (11th century Buddhist) and over the Tsong La Pass (over 17,000 ft) before dropping down to the famous old trading town of Tingri (a little over 14,000 ft).

-Eric Simonson

August 30, 2013

IMG 2013 Cho Oyu Team

Ang Jangbu reports that the IMG Cho Oyu team departed Kathmandu at 6am. They have about 4 hours of driving to Kodari, where they depart Nepal. Then, they walk across the Friendship Bridge (over the Bhote Kosi River) where they meet their CMA Chinese Liaison Officer, Li Chengxian.  After clearing the Chinese immigration and transferring to Chinese vehicles, it’s time to head up the big hill to Zhangmu.  Once they get checked into the hotel, it’s time for a big Chinese lunch in one of the local restaurants.

Zhangmu, Tibet

Then, this afternoon, they can walk it off around Zhangmu and get their first taste of altitude (about 7500 ft).  So far so good!

-Eric Simonson

August 30, 2013

From: Ang Jangbu Sherpa
Sent: Friday, August 30, 2013
To: Eric Simonson
Subject: Cho Oyu Update

Eric,

It’s all good news.

Everyone is here will all their bags. Hamill and Peter finished doing the gear check yesterday. We have collected base camp duffels from hotel this morning and sherpas have loaded the gear truck. 3 Sherpas: Chhewang Lendu, Nima Karma and Ang Karma left Kathmandu on the gear truck this afternoon. They should reach Kodari this evening.

We got the visa issued this afternoon.  We will distribute passports to members at group dinner tonight.   I will try to take a team photo tonight and tomorrow morning and send it off.

Group will depart early tomorrow for Kodari.

Jangbu