April 17, 2012

Annapurna 2 and 4 from across the valley near Chulu Far East. The route to A4 Base Camp ascends the valley on the right, then climbs up to the left onto the prominent bench below the peaks. You can see the airstrip in the small town of Humre at the base of the mountains. (Photo: Mingma Sherpa)

IMG Leader Eben Reckord reports that the team is taking a rest day in Humre (11000 ft / 3350m) at the base of Annapurna 4.  This town is a great location for enjoying the views of the Chulu Peaks to the north, and the Annapurna peaks to the south. IMG Sherpas Phinjo and Pasang Tshering took a run up to Base Camp to survey the route.  They came back saying that there was several feet of fresh snow up there.  So, it will take a couple days to get everything up to the campsite.  In the meantime, the team is healthy and doing well with their acclimatization.

Eric Simonson

April 14, 2012

IMG guide Eben Reckord reports that the team’s first few days of trekking have gone well, and they are now in Bradang (2850m).  From Kathmandu the team drove west on the Pohkara road, a beautiful drive through central Nepal.  When they reached the Marsyangdi River Valley, they turned to the north, to Besisahar.  Then, from there, the road has been extended a bit further to Bulbule, which is now the trailhead.  Yesterday the team got a nice view of Manaslu.

Eben says:  “it has been raining a ton in the afternoons and evenings, but we’ve managed for the most part to stay dry and out of the rain.   There has been a  lot of movement on the trail with donkeys, sheep, brahma bulls, chickens, mongooses and monkeys.  Today is Nepali New Year, so there are a lot of local people traveling to visit friends and celebrate. At one point we had to get out of the way of a whole herd of goats that was being herded down the trail!  Work continues on the road up to Chame.  Two days back we were asked to stay put by two soldiers while dynamite blasts cleared more of the road across the valley.  Needless to say it’s been an exciting walk in so far.  We hope to get to Humre tomorrow and base camp in just a few days.  The team is all happy and healthy and ready to get climbing”.

Eric Simonson

April 11, 2012

IMG 2012 Annapurna 4 expedition team (L-R Joe, Emily, Eben, Miss Hawley, David, Jarno, Steve)

IMG leaders Eben Reckord and Emily Johnston report that the A4 team is now on their way to Besisahar.  Yesterday the team had the chance to meet Liz Hawley in person.  Liz is the original Himalayan historian. She has lived in Kathmandu and kept track of the climbers since 1960!

Nowadays it is normally her staff that interview the climbing teams, but Liz is always interested to meet, in-person, with teams going to adventurous places, and she was happy to see off the A4 climbers.  Liz told the team stories about Sir Edmund Hillary making it especially memorable for the team.

If you want the definitive record of Himalayan climbing, see her Himalayan Database.

Eric Simonson

April 9, 2012

Eben presenting the Annapurna IV permit

IMG guide Eben Reckord did the briefing today at the Ministry, and received the official permit for Annapurna 4.

The team members have all arrived now in Kathmandu, with their luggage, which is always a good way to start a trip.  The Base Camp cooks and porters have now left Kathmandu for the trailhead with 60 loads of tents, fuel, food and supplies to start getting BC set up ahead of the expedition.  So, everything is looking good and the team is looking forward to starting the trek.

Their route will take them by bus to Besisahar ( the start of the Annapurna Circuit) and then to Bulbule, where they begin 8 days of trekking to Base Camp.  They will follow the main Annapurna route as far the small town of Humre (just before Manang), where they go up a side valley, and climb to the site of the Base Camp.

Eric Simonson

April 7, 2012

Some of the loads of gear and food. (Photo by Eben Reckord)

IMG guide Eben Reckord reports that he made it to Kathmandu, with all his luggage, and that the other team members are also starting to arrive.  Eben and Pasang Tshering have the ministry briefing  scheduled for Sunday, April 8 (where we will receive the official permit).

A4 sirdar Phinjo and cook Pasang Nuri have finished the final shopping  and packing, and now have about 60 loads ready to go to A4 Base Camp.  Tomorrow Pasang Nuri and Sante Tamang will leave Kathmandu with these loads by bus, along with 20 porters, for Besisahar. These men will start on the trail to BC, with the balance of their loads going by mules from Bulbule.

The plan is all starting to come together now!

Eric Simonson