April 26, 2012

I spoke to IMG Guide Eben Reckord by sat phone and he reports that everything is going well.  Yesterday saw Eben, Thunang, and Phinjo pushing the route up to Camp 2, near the ridge crest.  It was exciting for them to finally gain the ridge crest, and see the route up the summit ridge in front of them!  Along the way to Camp 2, they fixed 400m of rope on some of the steeper parts of the route, and then descended back to Camp 1.  Today the Sherpas descended to BC and the members are all taking another acclimatization day at Camp 1 (17,500ft) before heading back down to Base Camp in the morning for some home cooking.  So far so good!

Eric Simonson

April 24, 2012

Annapurna 3, as seen from Annapurna 4 (Craig John)

IMG guide Emily Johnston called on the sat phone from Camp 1 (about 17,500ft) to report that the team were all tucked in, after a great day today.  The weather was perfect, and the team were treated to great views of Annapurna 2, 3, and Manaslu along the way.  They installed 400 meters of fixed rope, anchored to pitons and pickets, to protect the climb up to Camp 1 (which is above the rock buttress).  Everyone carried heavy packs, and they were able to move enough gear and supplies up with them to last for several days.

The plan for tomorrow is to start working the route up to the ridge crest, with the goal to place Camp 2 up near the junction with the summit ridge.  So far so good!

Eric Simonson

April 23, 2012

The buttress to Camp 1 and Camp 2 (Mingma Dorje Sherpa)

IMG guide Eben Reckord reports that IMG sherpas Phinjo and Thunang Bote finished fixing to Camp 1 today, while Eben, Emily, and the A4 team ferried loads to the bottom of the buttress.

Tomorrow, if the weather looks OK, they hope to all move up to Camp 1, leaving their cook Pasang Nuri and assistant Sante Tamang to hold down the fort at Base Camp while they are up on the hill.

Eben says everyone in the team is doing well, and getting well acclimatized.  They are ready to start climbing!

Eric Simonson

April 20, 2012

Annapurna 4 Base Camp. (Photo by Mingma Sherpa)

IMG Leader Eben Reckord reports that the team had an adventurous trip to A4 Base Camp (15,550 ft/4740m), accompainied by donkeys and porters.  Sounds like they had to practice their cowboy skills too, helping the local herders keep the critters going in the right direction!

The sherpa team already had the BC all set up for their arrival, and they were glad to finally get there.  The plan is to take a rest day tomorrow, then go for a hike the following day to recon the route to Camp 1.  Weather has been good and the snow that fell last week has been cooking, so the conditions are improving.

Eric Simonson