October 19, 2009
Justin Merle called on the sat phone to say the climbers successfully climbed Lobuche. He reports that the snow conditions were excellent up high and the weather has been good. They used about 400m of fixed rope going up to the ridge and had a nice summit day.
Now they have now descended down to Dingboche for a couple rest days before moving up to Ama Dablam BC.
Eric Simonson
October 15, 2009
Another big day for the team trekking through Bhutan, and another very successful day. Up and over Sinche La at 16,400 feet and now in the village of Laya . Weather remains perfect with no signs of changing. The group has just walked back about 100 years in time. At 12,600 feet, Laya is a very special place. The women have a unique way of dressing and will show off their unique dances tomorrow evening for the team around a bonfire.
Two nights in Laya with a full day of rest now for the crew. There’s a school in town, and I’m sure the team will pay a visit tomorrow. The group will be talking about this part of the trek for a long time.
And most importantly, everyone is doing well. Strong and no major problems with the altitude. That’s huge. The hot springs of Gasa are now only a few days away.
Phil Ershler
October 13, 2009
Talked to IMG lead guide, Mike Hamill yesterday. Weather has improved and all are doing well. No altitude issues and the team is handing the rigors of the trek well.
Yesterday would have been a long day, reaching the village of Shomuthang at about 13,900 ft. Next couple of days will again be about 8 hours of walking. They’ll be heading for Robluthang at 13,600 ft today and going over Jari La at just under 16,000 ft to get there. The views never cease to amaze. So far, so good.
Phil Ershler
October 13, 2009
IMG Leader Justin Merle reports from Dingboche that the team is doing well. Today they are enjoying a rest day, with some day hikes, the last internet contact for a few days, and hot showers.
The weather has been normal for the autumn trekking season, with sunny mornings for the most part, and afternoon clouds. The climbers have packed the Lobuche climbing gear to be taken straight to Lobuche BC, where they will head after the trip to Everest Base Camp. Tomorrow they head up the big hill of the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier, to Lobuche village. So far, so good!
Eric Simonson
October 10, 2009
IMG Leader Justin Merle reports from Namche Bazaar that everyone arrived yesterday in good shape. Today they visited the weekly market and did some acclimatization hiking. Everything is going well and the team expects to move up the valley tomorrow to Tengboche monastery.
Eric Simonson
October 10, 2009
One final wrap-up for all you Cho Oyu fans… below is a summary written by IMG Cho Oyu Guide Greg Vernovage
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What an expedition! This year’s team was quite diverse which made for a great time at camp. We had all corners of the glove covered including: Poland, Singapore, Germany, Greece, Nepal, Tibet, and the United States, truly international. I am proud of the group for having the ability to come together as a team; it was quite easy for them.
We’ve all left Kathmandu for our respective cities with lots of stories to tell. What a climb – from the first day in Kathmandu to our arrival at Base Camp and on up to the different camps – we worked hard but had fun too. Summit day was amazing, we arrived on the summit just before dawn which made for a chili summit photo but it didn’t matter we were on top of an 8000m peak and the world’s 6th tallest mountain!
Congratulations to this year’s team:
From Poland, Renata, who is as strong a climber as I have had the honor to watch on the mountain. She was patient and had a great climb.
Rafal, also from Poland, excelled on Summit day along with his Sherpa, Da Nuru. Rumor is out that they may have ran across the summit plateau!
Mayk from Germany, who I have now had the pleasure of climbing 3 mountains with – reaching the summit of all three – and great weather on each nonetheless! Denali, Vinson and now Cho Oyu!
Sandhosh, from Singapore. Where to start here, congratulations on your 1st 8,000-meter peak. Well done sir!
Jim, USA. Congratulations! You did it! Jim, like all of us, had good days and challenging days and the result was that he overcame everything and was a GREAT teammate in the process. A big thank you for being such a great teammate and lugging those cameras around.
Tasia, Greece. The FIRST GREEK WOMAN to summit an 8,000-meter peak. Congratulations to Tasia and the Athenian Alpine Club. I cannot say enough about how positive Tasia was throughout the entire trip. She earned every step of that 8,201 meter Mountain.
Congratulations to the entire team, I had a great time and the weather held on and gave us a perfect window. Thanks to everyone who helped make that night and morning such a success.
We worked hard but our summits would not be possible without our Sherpa and Tibetan climbing staff! Having this strength by my side everyday gave me added confidence which I appreciate!
Newang and Kato were our Tibetan Climbers; they did a fine job helping with the high camps.
Kaji and Rinzing, The best cooks you could ever find. Thank you for keeping us going at ABC!
Ang Pasang - Thank you for coordinating all the logistics from the ground! Couldn’t have done it without you.
Mingma Dorjee, No load too heavy and never without a smile. One of the best Sherpa around!
Mingma Tenjing, 5 Everest Summits & 5 Cho Oyu summits. Strong and fast. Together with Da Nuru, they carried a load from ABC to Camp 3 and returned in under 7:30 hours. THAT is moving.
Da Nuru Sherpa, 11 Everest Summits-10 Cho Oyu Summits. The strongest climber and Sherpa I have had the honor of climbing with. His achievements are too great to list.
To all of the Cho Oyu Summitters, CONGRATULATIONS!!
Greg
October 10, 2009
It’s a wrap, in this case a Kilimanjaro wrap. The final group of the fall season is on their way home. Everyone had a fantastic time on safari. Within four hours of touching down in the Serengeti, they’d seen giraffes, leopard and cheetah. Just before dusk, they watched close up as two lions took down a cape buffalo. In fact, one of the lions ran right past the Land Cruisers to get it!
Reports from the team are that camps and lodges were outstanding. Drivers Emmanuel and Simba were first rate, and no one got eaten. I think we have some pretty excited and pretty satisfied climbers. Well done, gang.
Want some Kili bragging rights and lion near-misses of your own?
Phil Ershler
October 9, 2009
We heard from Bhutan trek leader, Mike Hamill, this morning. The team reached Chomolhari base camp after 3 days of trekking. The mountain, Chomolhari, is about 24,000 ft and the camp site has an unobstructed view right up to the peak. Both sunrise and sunset views from there are spectacular.
Camp is also alongside a river and it’s a hoot to watch the yak cooling themselves in the river. A couple were long days and some rain didn’t help but everyone looked after one another and got the job done. Same thing happened when I was first there 4 years ago. Rained like crazy for 3 days and then we didn’t see another drop of rain for the rest of the trek. Mike said weather is now improving and high pressure appears to be building. Just what the doctor ordered. Tomorrow, they head for Nyile La. This is a pass at very close to 16,000 ft. It will be a long day but an exciting one. They’ll likely encounter some new snow en route.
The settlement of Lingshi at 13,200 ft. is their destination after crossing the pass. Everyone is doing well and ready for clear skies and the spectacular views that brings. Likely some blue sheep to see, also.
Phil Ershler
October 9, 2009
All IMG Kilimanjaro trips for the winter of 2010 already full? Has demand outpaced supply by that much? Impossible but true. That means we need another Kilimanjaro date for January 2010. It’s official – IMG is posting a new departure for Kilimanjaro – January 3-17, 2010. Even better than a new date is the fact that IMG Senior Guide, Mike Hamill, is leading. Currently, Mike’s in Bhutan leading an IMG trek and is anxious to return to Africa again this year to lead a couple of IMG Kilimanjaro climbs.Â
This new date means lots of space for family and friends. Book now before this departure fills, too. Kilimanjaro with IMG – what a great way to start off the new year!
Read about an IMG Kili Trip in the New York Times.
Phil Ershler
Yesterday was rainy in Kathmandu but today dawned clear, allowing the Ama Dablam and Lobuche climbers and Everest Base Camp trekkers to fly to Lukla.
Tonight they are in Phakding, down by the river. Tomorrow they head up to Namche for a couple acclimatization days. IMG leader Justin Merle will meet with Ang Pasang in Namche and take care of the SPCC permit and garbage deposit (Justin did the expedition permit briefing at the Ministry in KTM a few days ago). So far, so good!
Eric Simonson
