October 30, 2011

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

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.  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).  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.  Sounds like they had an avalanche hazard concern, and decided to play it safe.   The team is back to BC now and getting ready to continue their trek to Thoroung La, tomorrow.  Good job, team!

Eric Simonson

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.  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.   Eben reports from Chulu Peak that the climbers moved up to Camp 1 today (about 18,100 ft).  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

October 22, 2011

October 22 Satellite Image

Eben Reckord reports by sat phone that the weather today was greatly improved after the snowstorm that came through yesterday.  The Annapurna Trekkers were able to successfully cross east to west over the famous Thorung La pass (17,769 ft / 5416m) which links the Manang area with Muktinath.  The trekkers started before dawn at Thorung Phedi (14,500 ft / 4420 m) and climbed to the pass, then dropped all the way down to Muktinath (12,160 ft / 3710m).  Geographically, the west side of the pass is much drier, very much like Tibet.  Also today, Eben and the team moved up to Chulu Base Camp.