Ama Dablam Climbers Eye Summit Attempt

November 3, 2011

Looking down the route from above Camp 3 (Photo by Justin Merle)

Justin Merle reports by sat phone that the Ama Dablam climbers all moved up higher today, and the weather is hanging in there.Â Down lower it has been all socked in, with no Lukla flights for three days (the Lobuche climbers got out to KTM on the last flight before the weather set in).

Peter, Doug, Billy, Chewang, and Nima Karma are now at Camp 2.7 and Justin and Mark are at Camp 2.Â The later will leave earlier, and meet the others higher up.Â We are using Camp 2.7 now, instead of Camp 3, because there is less hazard from falling ice there. Â Weâ€™ll be looking forward to hearing how it goes tomorrow!

Eric Simonson

Annapurna & Chulu Team Back In Kathmandu

November 2, 2011

The Team at Thorung La Pass. (Eben Reckord photo)

Eben Reckord shot us a call and a team photo to say everyone was now back safe and sound to Kathmandu.Â Yesterday the team flew from Jomsom to Pohkara, and had a fun day exploring that town, known for the great views of the Annapaurnas from the shore of Dal Lake. Â Today they flew from Pohkara back to Kathmandu.Â Good job, team!

Eric Simonson

Ama Dablam Climbers Move To Camp 2

November 2, 2011

Justin Merle reports by sat phone that Peter, Doug, Billy, Chewang, and Nima Karma moved up to Camp 2 today, while Justin and Mark moved up to Camp 1.Â The route to Camp 2 is mainly rock climbing, along the ridge, punctuated but the â€œYellow Towerâ€ which requires a short near vertical pitch to get around it.Â Â Camp 2 is a Classic, right on the ridge crest!Â The plan for tomorrow is to move to Camp 2.7.

: Ridge between C1 and C1. (Photo by Justin Merle)

: Looking down at C2. (Photo by Justin Merle)

Eric Simonson

Ama Dablam Climbers Reach Camp 1

November 1, 2011

Camp 1 on top of the ridge. Note the climber in red just over halfway up the slope. (Photo by Justin Merle)

Justin Merle reports by sat phone that Peter, Doug, Roger, Billy, Chewang Lendu, Nima Karma, and Kami all made it up to Camp 1 today (19350 ft / 5900m). Â They will see how they are feeling tomorrowâ€”they may go to Camp 2 or take a rest day.

Justin is at BC with Mark and Sierra and they are hoping to move up tomorrow.Â It sounds like Chewang Lendu and Nima Karma went to Camp 2 yesterday and set up 3 tents and also took some of the gear up for the high camp (Camp 2.7).

They said the route is looking good and everything is in place for the summit bids.

Eric Simonson

Annapurna Crew In Muktinath, Ama Dablam Climbers To Base Camp

October 30, 2011

: Dhaulagiri (8,167m / 26,795 ft)â€‰from Muktinath (Charlotte Austin)

: Ama Dablam from BC (Justin Merle)

Guides Eben Reckord and Charlotte Austin reported from Muktinath, where they are taking a rest day after crossing the Thorung La Pass yesterday.Â Today they visited the famous temple, which is a sacred place for both Buddhists and Hindus, and the goal of many pilgrims.Â They had great views of Dhaulagiri, the seventh highest mountain atÂ 8,167 m (26,795 ft).

Over in the Khumbu, guides Justin Merle and Peter Anderson report that the team made it to Base Camp and today had their expedition puja.Â The sherpas have already established Camp 1, so everything should be ready for them to move up in the next day or two.

Eric Simonson

Farewell, Bhutan

October 27, 2011

Bhutan

Phil called in early this morning from Thimphu, (about 4pm in Bhutan) to report that the team was just loading up for the hourâ€™s drive to Paro, where they will spend tonight.

Tomorrow morning they will hop a direct flight to Bangkok, where some will continue on flights back home to family and friends, and others will spend a little extra time visiting Thailand.

Thanks to all the team members for a successful trek!

Becky Kjorvestad

Summits!

October 27, 2011

Justin Merle called last night from the summit of Lobuche Peak to report that the weather was perfect, the view fantastic, and the team 100% on the top.Â Way to go gang!

Since that call, we later heard from Justin that the climbers were all back to Lobuche Base Camp (and the trekkers flew today from Lukla to KTM).Â Tomorrow the Ama Dablam climbers will head for Pangboche, where they link up with Ang Pasang and the Ama Dablam Sherpa team (who have been getting the BC set up over there).

Over on Chulu Peak, Eben Reckord called on the sat phone to report that the team took a summit shot today, but got turned back just shy of 20,000.Â Sounds like they had an avalanche hazard concern, and decided to play it safe.Â Â The team is back to BC now and getting ready to continue their trek to Thoroung La, tomorrow.Â Good job, team!

Eric Simonson

: Lobuche Peak (Photo by Eric Simonson)

: Chulu Peak (Photo by David Brill)

Its (Almost) A Wrap In Bhutan

October 26, 2011

Bhutan (Photo by Phil Ershler)

Yesterday the gang arrived safely back in Thimphu, Bhutanâ€™s capital city, after a spectacularly scenic drive from the trail head at Tashitang.Â A quick stop at the Punakha Dzong â€“ the winter palace of the king â€“ invited some great photo ops in perfect weather and breathtaking scenery.

After some well deserved hot showers, the team will enjoy some local sightseeing and shopping today.Â Phil says all is well, and the team will soon depart for Paro for flights to new destinations.

Becky Kjorvestad

Nepal Trekkers Heading For Kathmandu; Climbers Moving Up

October 25, 2011

IMG guide Justin Merle reports that the Lobuche team had a nice rest day today, and are moving up to high camp tomorrow. Everyone is doing well. Â Among the EBC trekkers we had Phil, Ray, and Greg fly this morning from Pheriche by helicopter to Lukla, then on to Kathmandu, while the rest of the team descended to Namche.

The Annapurna Trekkers flew from Jomson to Pohkara yesterday and then today flew to Kathmandu.Â Â Eben reports from Chulu Peak that the climbers moved up to Camp 1 today (about 18,100 ft).Â Tomorrow Eben, Charlotte, Dawa, and Mingma Dorje are going as high as they can to scout the route, while the climbers take a rest day at high camp.

Eric Simonson

Taboche and Cholatse from above Dingboche

The Final Push

Mt. Jichu Drake (Photo by John Dahlem)

October 24, 2011

Phil called in from Bhutan on the last night of the trek at their final camp.Â They will journey to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan tomorrow for the end of the program.Â Phil reports it was â€œthe perfect group of people, perfect weather, a perfect trek and the perfect outcome.â€

The trek was an overwhelming success and the entire team had the experience of a lifetime!

George Dunn