Vinson Season Kicks Off
Our first 2x Vinson teams for the season have flown onto the ice and landed safely in Antarctica and are now at Union Glacier after a busy few days in Punta Arenas, packing, covid testing and briefings.
This departure, we have two teams moving independently but in parallel. The first team is headed up by Tomi Ceppi and Zeb Blaiss, the other by Mike Hamill and Robert Jantzen.
Both groups have already set up Camp at UG and will look to fly over to Vinson Base Camp on the smaller ski planes tomorrow morning if the weather stays agreeable which it is forecast to do.
It's great to get underway and we are so excited to be back to the most remote of the 7 summits, and share this magical and pristine environment with the climbers. What a way to celebrate a very icy, white Christmas!
Cheers
CTSS Team
Aconcagua Summit!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Our early private Aconcagua climb had a successful summit today via the Polish Glacier route. Guide Quique and climber Taylor climbed hard all day starting early in the morning and summiting just after 5:00 this afternoon. They're now back in camp, certainly they'll be looking forward to a good nights rest after a heck of a climb.
The Polish Glacier route is a far less frequently climbed ascent of Aconcagua than either the Normal Route or our usual Aconcagua 360 traverse. With some fixed lines, steep snow, ice bulges and strenuous technical climbing above 20,000 feet it is an extremely proud accomplishment.
Tomorrow Taylor and Quique will descend back to basecamp to enjoy the thick air and relax for an afternoon. After that it's back out the Horcones Valley and down to Mendoza to put a bow on this highly successful expedition.
While this trip is wrapping up our first group climb starts tomorrow. We'll keep you all posted as our climbers arrive and make their way up the Vacas Valley on the Aconcagua 360 route over the next 3 weeks.
Cheers,
CTSS Team
Ecuador Update: Views, a Birthday, and Cayambe
After a relaxed start in Quito, it was time to head off and up. A spectacular hike up Fuya Fuya on day 2 took place in perfect weather and was a great start to our climbing, and the views were really amazing! Overnight at a lovely lodge in Otavalo and the next morning the adventure continued heading to the refugio at Cayambe. Roadworks on the 4x4 track to the Refugio meant a longer hike than normal. When the mountains don't throw curveballs, the local road works do! If you've climbed Cayambe already you'll know just how much that road needs a bit of TLC.
Day 3 started early, so we could get some solid training on the glacier in preparation for our summit push the following day. Some gear checks and an early night but not before a birthday celebration! A bit of sleep and we got an early start for the summit at midnight. Given how busy it was, that was a good decision.
Cayambe's summit wasn't so accommodating as the misty weather and zero visibility quickly turned to wet snow on the glacier and made a summit impossible. The team worked hard through deep wet snow to reach 17,000ft (5,180m) before turning around, still a big day out in the mountains even without a summit. On the flip side, after descending the team headed for Papallacta spa resort and their relaxing hot springs!
Yesterday was a move from Papallacta to the beautiful Chilcabamba Lodge as the team head for Illiniza Sur today. Some great forecasts for both Iliniza and Chimborazo have the guys pumped and ready to tag some summits!
Cheers,
CTSS Team
Ecuador Expedition Exits Quito
Our latest Ecuador expedition is off to a chilled start. Yesterday guide Josh McDowell and our small private team did a short guided tour of the city, and then headed to the Equator marker - Tick!
A late lunch to go over logistics for the remainder of the trip and then some down time before the hard work starts.
Today the fun begins when the team heads to Otavalo where we will overnight after an acclimatization hike to Fuya Fuya to help get us ready for the altitude to come.
The team is happy to be in Ecuador and are ready to get climbing!
- CTSS Team
Cayambe Summits!
This Ecuador Expedition has been about pulling rabbits out of hats and the team are doing a magic job! First we had Cotopaxi closed with volcanic activity and the team rolled with it with summits of Illiniza Norte and Illiniza Sur
A stable weather window in an otherwise dismal forecast saw the team take the opportunity today to skip their night at the mountain hut at Cayambe and make a run at the summit. Strong, willing and acclimatized they hit the top of at 7am this morning! Congratulations to all our climbers.
Tonight they are staying at Puerto Lago which is a nice hotelria just South of Otavalo.
Tomorrow they will be back on the regular itinerary and heading to the hot springs at Papallacta to celebrate their summits.
Cheers
CTSS Team
Summits on the Illinizas
With recent volcanic action meaning Cotopaxi is currently closed for climbing, the team pivoted quickly and efficiently to Plan B and have all summited in style as their reward.
On Illiniza Sur (South) we had summits from Schuyler, Rhawa, Guides Jacy and Edgar via the steep glacier route.
On Illiniza Norte (North) Craig, Patrick, Brandon & Veronica summited with Guides Raul & Segundo.
The team met back at the trailhead and took the bus to the amazing La Cienega hacienda, where everyone is enjoying a well deserved rest before they head to Cayambe.
Here are some pics of the teams.
Cheers
CTSS Team
Technical Training in Ecuador
The team are doing a stellar job in Ecuador.
Yesterday they covered cramponing on hard ice using various techniques for steep bare ice and set up belays using ice screws on the lower slopes of Cotopaxi. Crowd favourite was their self arrest training and sliding on the snow (which they were lucky to find in current conditions).
The team is moving very well at altitude and in various conditions. They tagged 16,400ft which is the highest they've been on the expedition thus far, moving as a rope team through the glaciers.
With the summit climbing route on Cotopaxi still closed due to volcanic activity, the team have pivoted plan and today they are driving to the trailhead of Los Illinizas where they will use a mule team to move some of their heavier gear up to the mountain hut and have dinner and sleep. The next day, they may split up with part of the team heading to Illiniza Norte to do more high altitude hiking/scrambling and the folks who really loved the ice portion of training will head to climb Illiniza Sur which is a steep glacier involving a short low angle ice climbing section.
Then it is onward to Cayambe!
All well in Ecuador.
Cheers
CTSS Team
Acclimatization in Ecuador
Our Ecuador team are off to a flying start.
They've toured Quito, tagged the Equator (where their GPS' read 000) visited the National Monument established by the French which was a marker for the equator but over time has shifted with continental drift. They then rode the Teleferico up to do an acclimatization hike up to 13,500ft. The highlight was some high altitude llamas who joined them!
Today they hiked Ruminahui up to 15,200ft which is a good altitude test and great for the legs and lungs to get prepped for the climbing that lies ahead.
Cotopaxi is still conservatively closed so they will do some training on the lower glacier fields far from any activity, before heading over to the Illiniza's for their first summit push.
Cheers
CTSS Team
Single Rooming Teahouse Upgrade
Single rooming option
$1,250 USD
We are happy to organize single rooming accommodations and a tea house upgrade for you throughout the expedition. If you snore or are easily awakened by others that do snore, this might be a great option. We feel that having a single room helps climbers stay healthy and adds a bit of comfort and personal space that can go a long way on a long expedition like Ama Dablam. If you would like a single rooming option please let us know. Please note that tent accommodations on Ama Dablam are double-occupancy for warmth and safety.
We stay at some of the nicest teahouses in the Khumbu valley throughout our trek to keep you healthy and to provide you with comfort. Many teahouses offer room upgrades which may include an en suite bathroom and more space, whereas our normal rooms generally have a shared bathroom and shower for an added fee.
City Tours & Nepal Extensions
Nepal is one of the world’s most popular destinations. With incredible landscapes and rich culture, once there, it is truly worth seeing as much of the country as you can.
We can seamlessly organise a variety of fantastic customised excursions and extensions for you either prior to, or after your expedition.
Contact Us for any requests you have so we can plan them seamlessly for you
Pre Trip Full Day Kathmandu Cultural Tour
$200 per person
Kathmandu is one of the most exciting, culturally rich cities in the world. Unique, and overflowing with sights, smells, sounds and tastes, it’s both chaotic and charming. A city of true contrast which needs to be experienced to be understood. During our Kathmandu Cultural Tour an English speaking guide will show you the best history and culture the city has to offer.
Paragliding in Pokhara (Annapurna Region)
Take in the spectacular views of the Himalaya whilst paragliding over Lake Pokhara. Nepal offers some of the best flying in the world with low lying valleys, high cold mountains and natural rising thermals that you can share with the hawks! You can fly with world class pilots tandem or stay longer and benefit from the wealth of experience and get your international license in Nepal. Spend a few days at the Lake and truly unwind with a change of scenery.
Trek the Annapurna Circuit or Sanctuary Walk
On a mission to tick off the best treks in the world? Why not take advantage of your fitness and experience the Annapurna region with either the Sanctuary Walk (Slightly shorter and slightly lower altitude) or the Annapurna Circuit (Slightly longer and crosses the 5,416m Thorong La pass into the Mustang region)
Jungle Safari in Chitwan National Park
One of the greatest drawcards of Nepal, Chitwan National Park is a World Heritage Site that protects 932 sq km of forest and grasslands and is arguably the best place in Asia to view wild game including horned rhino, monkeys, deer and over 500 species of bear. If you are lucky you may even spot a leopard, sloth or elephant or even the elusive Bengal tiger!
Visit the Upper Mustang
To trek in the Upper Mustang is a very rare privilege and has only been open to non-Nepali’ for just over 15years. Here you will experience a way of life of true mountain people, who for hundreds of years had very little contact with the rest of Nepal and retained their rich cultural heritage. In many ways, visiting the Upper Mustang is similar to Tibet as geographically it is a part of the Tibetan plateau.
