September 24, 2019
Climbers high on Cho Oyu (Dallas Glass)
IMG Senior Guide Phunuru Sherpa just called from Camp 2 on Cho Oyu. The team is doing great and are ready to head to the summit in the morning. Phunuru reported a very light snowfall but clearing. The team is planning on departing Camp 2 at 1am.
All is well on Cho Oyu!
Greg Vernovage
September 23, 2019
Cho Oyu ABC (Dallas Glass)
IMG Senior Guide Phunuru Sherpa checked in overnight to let us know the fixing team had a great day today and fixed to the summit of Cho Oyu! Phunuru received a radio call from Chhewang Lendu at 10:30 am from the summit. Congratulations and thank you to all 8 of the climbers who pitched in to help fix to the summit.
With the summit fixed and the weather forecast in our favor, Phunuru and the team departed ABC for Camp 1 after breakfast. The team made great time climbing to Camp 1 and are now settled in for the night. Tomorrow, our entire team will move to Camp 2 and put themselves in position to summit.
Cho Oyu Fixing Team:
1) Chhewang Lendu Sherpa (IMG)
2) Pasang Sherpa (IMG)
3) Palden Namgya Sherpa (Alpenglow)
4) Nima Tenzing Sherpa (Alpenglow)
5) Esteban “Toppo†Mena
6) Lhakpa Ongcchu Sherpa (Himalayan Guide)
Plus:
7) Nirmal Purna (Nims dai)
8) Gesman Tamang  (Nims dai’s climbing partner)
Congratulations to a job well done by the fixing team and a special congratulations to Nims Dai who marked the 12th 8000m peak with Cho Oyu!
Greg Vernovage
September 23, 2019
Karma Rita checked in overnight to let us know the team is doing well in Kagkot (10,500’/3200m). The team had a good trek into Kagkot and were pleasantly surprised to find out the trail had been repaired and the mules were able to make it all the way into Kagkot without needing to be unloaded. While Pega took the team on an acclimatization hike to 12,140’/3700m Karma Rita and Mingma Dorje rearranged loads. The team will be switching from Mules to Yaks for the remainder of the trek to base camp. The team will spend one more day in Kagkot before moving up to Panjin (13780’/4200m) the next day.
All is well and dry on Putha Hiunchuli!
Greg Vernovage
September 21, 2019
Karma Rita called to let us know the Putha Hiunchuli Team has made it to Mosi Khola today. There were a few areas that were slightly washed out from the rain this summer but the mules were able to get across those sections without unloading. The team enjoyed more excellent weather and will head out tomorrow morning for Kagkot.
On Cho Oyu, Phunuru spent the morning training the team on the oxygen system they will use during the summit rotation. The team trained with the oxygen system and started packing food for their summit bid. A perfect end to the day for the team was a sizzler for dinner! Kaji’s sizzler is always a hit with the climbing team!
Phunuru had a meeting in the afternoon with the other teams on Cho Oyu to make a plan to head for the summit. The Fixing Team will head up and fix to Camp 3 in the morning before returning to Camp 2 for the night. The following day, September 23rd, the plan is to fix to the summit. This is a strong team of Sherpa ready to head to the summit.
Fixing Team
1) Chhewang Lendu Sherpa (IMG)
2) Pasang Sherpa (IMG)
3) Palden Namgya Sherpa (Alpenglow)
4) Nima Tenzing Sherpa (Alpenglow)
5) Pemba Sherpa (Climbalaya)
6) Lhakpa Ongchu Sherpa (Himalayan Guide)
7) Nirmal Purna (Nims dai)
8) Gesman Tamang  (Nims dai’s climbing partner)
All is well on Putha Hiunchuli and Cho Oyu!
Greg Vernovage
September 20, 2019
Morning light on Cho Oyu (Phunuru Sherpa)
Phunuru called to let us know the Cho Oyu Team had a great day back at ABC. Showers, laundry, lounging, and eating were the goals of the day. The weather cooperated with the teams plan and was nearly perfect according to Phunuru. No clouds or precipitation and only a light breeze to keep the tent cool enough for an afternoon nap.
The Sherpa Team made a run up to Camp 2 with the last of the gear needed for the climb and were back to ABC by mid-morning. After returning from the run to Camp 2, the Sherpa also enjoyed laundry and a nap. Tomorrow, the team will do Oxygen training and start putting summit plans together. The forecast is favorable and we have our fingers crossed for the rope fixing team. Phunuru took a few photos of Cho Oyu throughout the day, we will let you decide which time of day the mountain looks most beautiful!
All is well on Cho Oyu!
Greg Vernovage
September 20, 2019
IMG Senior Guide, Karma Rita, checked in this morning to let us know the team had a beautiful day trekking to Tarakot. Our entire team of Sherpa and Climbers are now together after our advanced Sherpa Team collected the remaining duffels and gear from the last flight. We have 13 mules and 3 drivers trekking with the team for a few days before switching to yaks for the final stretches into base camp. The team is enjoying beautiful weather and everyone is happy to be on the trail and stretching their legs.
Greg Vernovage
September 19, 2019
Camp 1 on Cho Oyu (Phunuru Sherpa)
IMG Senior Guide, Phunuru Sherpa, called this morning (evening on Cho Oyu) to let us know the team had a great rotation on the mountain. The team climbed well and spent 4 nights above ABC. The team had a little snow and some wind during the rotation but everyone ate well and was strong through the acclimatization rotation. They will now rest at ABC for a few days before making plans to head up on their summit rotation. Tomorrow will be a day of showers, laundry, Kaji’s good cooking, and oxygen training.
Our Sherpa Team will head back up to Camp 2 in the morning with the last of the gear and oxygen needed for the summit bid. Phunuru is also going to make a plan to fix to the summit in the following days. Weather dependent, we hope to get the mountain fixed by the 20th or 21st.
All is well on Cho Oyu!
Greg Vernovage
September 19, 2019
IMG Senior Guides, Karma Rita and Pega, checked in from Dunai (7,020’/2140m) to let us know the team is doing great. The team has been quite fortunate with the weather so far. With the monsoon yet to retreat from Nepal, the various flights needed to get to Juphal have been few and far between. That said, our team is right on schedule and are now in Dunai for the night. Tomorrow, the team will continue trekking to Tarakot (8,323’/2537m).
The Putha Hiunchuli Team is off to a great start!
Greg Vernovage
September 18, 2019
2019 Putha Hiunchuli Team (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)
The 2019 Putha Hiunchuli Team departed Kathmandu for Nepalgunj after a slight delay. The Team has checked into the hotel and will be ready to fly in the morning to Juphal (8,103’/2470m) where they will begin their trek to Dunai (7,020’/2140m). The common theme for the Putha Hiunchuli Team is going to be patience and flexibility. We have been keeping our eye on the weather and note the monsoon has not retreated yet. We will move as the weather permits!
Putha Hiunchuli Team is on the move!
Greg Vernovgage
September 18, 2019
The Team is holding tight at Camp 1 on Cho Oyu to continue acclimatizing. Phunuru checked in to let us know that it was snowing at Camp 1 most of the day. The team will sleep another night at Camp 1 and evaluate conditions in the morning. They will most likely pack up and head back down to ABC for some well-deserved rest. The team is feeling great and the Sherpa are working hard. Our main objective is finding the right windows to move during the breaks in the weather. The Cho Oyu Team is on schedule and is staying patient!
All is well on Cho Oyu!
Greg Vernovage
