CTSS Everest 2023 is Underway!
It's Everest Season!
The months of planning, training, organizing, and dreaming have come to an end - our Everest 2023 Expedition has begun!
Over the last few days climbers and trekkers in our first wave heading into the Khumbu Valley have been arriving in Kathmandu and gearing up. Tomorrow this first wave will complete their official expedition orientations and gear checks as a final preparation before flying to Lukla on April 1st.
This year we're privileged to have a fantastic team joining us on Everest. Between our summit climbers, Everest basecamp trekkers, Lobuche climbers and 3 peaks climbers there will be over 60 adventurers heading into the Khumbu Valley under CTSS leadership!
Of course all of this would not be possible without our amazing Nepali team of Guides, Climbing Sherpa, kitchen staff, and logistical wizards. This incredible team has been working for months already to get our basecamp site selected and set up, permits processed, logistics arranged and procure the immense amount of supplies needed to make the expedition run smoothly and to the highest possible standards. Our deep thanks to all of them for their diligent and professional efforts.
We will be posting regular updates as the trips move out of Kathmandu and into the Khumbu Valley over the next week. To give a brief overview of the upcoming events, CTSS has 3 “waves” of climbers and trekkers entering the valley a few days apart from each other. By traveling through the Khumbu in waves before regrouping at Everest Basecamp we keep everyone’s experience pristine and reduce our impact to the areas surrounding the treks and climbs.
- First Wave: Scheduled to fly to Lukla on April 1 and includes our
- Western Guided Team
- Lobuche climbers
- 3 Peaks Expedition
- Rugged Luxury EBC Trek (New for 2023!)
- Small group of EBC Trekkers
- Second Wave: Scheduled to fly to Lukla on April 3 and includes our
- Private IFMGA Certified Sherpa teams (a unique CTSS option)
- Private Western Guided Climbers
- Everest Basecamp and Gokyo Valley Trekkers
- Everest Basecamp Trekkers
- Third Wave: Scheduled to fly to Lukla on April 5 and includes our
- Personal Sherpa Guided Climbers
- Lobuche Climbers
- EBC Trekkers
We will also have several Speed Itinerary climbers coming in a few weeks after the main group. These speed climbers have diligently pre-acclimatized and will fly in further up the valley before joining the rest of the expedition at basecamp and beginning their ascent.
Of course as with all things adventure travel, and especially with flights, weather will play its part in determining the final schedule for each team. With our generous contingency day allotment we’re standing by ready to adjust to whatever the weather throws our way!
We are wishing our climbers and trekkers the best of luck on their upcoming adventure and, to those still traveling to join us, a safe and smooth journey into Nepal.
Let’s go climbing!
Cheers,
CTSS Team
Aconcagua Summits
Congratulations to the team; we have newly minted Aconcagua summiteers with 8 climbers and 3 guides topping out this morning.
James Penny
Alex Blackie
Paul Evans
John Zimmerman
Alfonzo Amaya
Hugh Salter
Steve Eichhorst
Michaela Krejcova
with Guides; Josh McDowell, Leandro Villegas, Capi.
The team started their summit bid early on Wednesday under clear skies and with moderate winds but challenging conditions.
And hearty congratulations to our team who completed the 360 traverse;
Lydia Jacobs
Tim Parker
Nick Myal
Jean Thierry Besins
Joshua Haine
They are safely back at Camp 3 (High Camp) and will continue down to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp on Thursday completing the 360 degree traverse of the mountain! We look forward to sharing their summit photos.
Congratulations to everyone on a massive effort on an enormously challenging mountain!
Cheers
CTSS Team
Summit Photos from Josh McDowell
Aconcagua Summits while the main team are in position
Congratulations to summiteers Jesse Willms & Guide Tomi Ceppi who topped out today and descended back to High Camp. Tomorrow they will hit Base Camp and then it is onward to Mendoza to celebrate.
The main Feb team, moved to high camp (Camp 3) today. They continue to enjoy spectacular weather on the mountain and move strongly. They'll have an early dinner and bedtime tonight before starting up for the summit at 5am tomorrow (Wednesday)! We are wishing them luck. It is very common not to hear any news until they are back in Camp 3 so remember no news is good news :) and we'll keep you updated when the Guides update us.
Cheers
CTSS Team
Photos from Aconcagua Archive
Aconcagua Team Rests at Camp 2
The team carried their gear to Camp 3 yesterday. Lead guide Josh reports everyone did a phenomenal job and remains in good spirits despite high winds and tough conditions.
The team dropped then back down to Camp 2 on their 'climb high, sleep low' strategy and will take a full rest day there today, before making their move to Camp 3 on Tuesday and their summit bid from there.
We are getting close to summit day now!
All well on Aconcagua.
Cheers
CTSS Team
Updates from Aconcagua
Yesterday team climb successfully moved to Camp 2 today, and everyone did an outstanding job.
Lead guide, Josh, reports this is the best stretch of weather he has ever seen on Aconcagua, and it’s expected to continue through to Thursday, February 16th.
The team will carry up to Camp 3 today before returning to Camp 2. The plan is to then rest at Camp 2 on the 13th. They’re right on track for a possible summit day on Wednesday!
Our private climb with Tomi and Jesse is also on track, they are at Camp 2 and will rest today before moving further up. Guide Tomi jokes that the hardest thing for Jesse is to rest and relax, he's strong and eager!
Viranuj and guide Nani completed the Aconcagua 360 route, arriving back in Plaza de Mulas yesterday. They enjoyed an incredibly scenic helicopter flight back to Mendoza this morning and
are enjoying a return to the creature comforts the city has to offer.
Cheers
CTSS Team
Photos from Aconcagua Archive
Updates from Aconcagua
All is well on Aconcagua!
Our main Feb team checked in from Camp 1 today after finishing their carry day up to Camp 2. The guides are reporting sunny, warm, and clear weather with a light breeze to keep the team cool on the hike. The team is moving really well and spirits remain high. They’ll spend the afternoon relaxing in the sun at Camp 1 before making their move up to Camp 2 on Saturday.
Our private climb with Jesse and guide Tomi moved to Camp 2 today and will plan to take a rest day at Camp 2 on Saturday.
We feel so privileged to be climbing on Aconcagua.
Cheers
CTSS Team
Photos from Aconcagua Archives
100% on top of Aconcagua today
A fantastic effort from our Private Aconcagua Team today with everyone topping out.
Congratulations to;
Marco Botero
Raul Hernandez
Piyum Zonooz
With Guide Quique Claussen.
Everyone is now safely back to Camp 3 and will get a wonderful night sleep before dropping back to Base Camp tomorrow.
Photos from CTSS Aconcagua Archive
Updates from Aconcagua
On Aconcagua our various teams are doing a great job.
Up at High Camp (Camp 3) our private team with Guide Quique are getting some rest, ready for their summit bid on Tuesday morning. They had a great climb today after a really helpful rest day yesterday playing card games, eating good food in perfect weather. Everyone doing well and looking forward to a big day tomorrow.
Guide Tomi and climber Jesse are at Base Camp readying for their climb, Nani and Viranju are right on schedule.
Meanwhile our main Feb team, came up from Casa de Piedra to Base Camp at Plaza Argentina today, reporting great weather and good time on the hike in. They were greeted in camp by “endless amazing pizza and snacks,” and the team enjoyed the opportunity to take advantage of some well-earned hot showers. Tuesday will be a rest and acclimatization day in camp before beginning the carry to Camp 1 on Wednesday.
Spirits are high across the peak!
Cheers
CTSS Team
From Cayambe to Otavalo
Our Ecuador team wrapped up it’s standard climbs over the last few days with an attempt on Volcan Cayambe. Unfortunately recent weather on the mountain created avalanche conditions low down on the glacier and our guides decided that continuing into steeper terrain would be unwise.
After returning to the Cayambe Refuge the team dug into a short class on avalanche hazard, risk assessment, and decision making. Even when, or often, especially when conditions don’t allow for a full summit there is the opportunity to learn a ton about the mountain environment and this Ecuador team got a chance to deepen their understanding of snow and avalanche science.
In the end weather continued to deteriorate throughout yesterday morning with high winds raking the upper mountain. Though a summit would have been fantastic the team was stoked not to be battling through poor conditions high on Cayambe.
From Cayambe it was a short drive down to the famous mountain town of Otavalo for some well earned R&R on the banks of Lago San Pablo. Today the team will visit the world renowned Plaza de Los Ponchos indigenous market before returning to Quito to put a bow on the standard expedition.
Several of the team have opted to continue their climbing in Ecuador with the highly worthwhile addition of climbing Volcan Chimborazo. At 20,549 feet Chimborazo is taller than Denali and is the furthest point from the center of the earth! As our standard team heads home over the next few days we’ll continue to follow the progress of our Chimborazo climbers, stay tuned!
Cheers,
CTSS Team
Aconcagua Team Updates
All is well on Aconcagua.
Up high at Camp 2 we have our private team. They are doing great although, expectedly, a little tired. Today is a full rest day, after a big carry up to Camp 3 yesterday which now puts them in position for a summit bid. They had a big thunderstorm typical of Aconcagua with a dusting of new snow but sun is in forecast for the next few days. Tomorrow they will move to Camp 3.
Our private expedition of Viranju and Guide Nani moves to Camp 1 today. He reports that everything is going perfectly, and acclimatization is excellent.
On the lower slopes we have our main team who are currently enjoying the trek to Base Camp. After a great stay at Puente del Vacas, the set off on their mule assisted approach. Yesterday was an 8 mile hike up to Pampa De Lenas Camp at 2,868m/ 9,404 feet. Today, they have a nine and a half mile (approx 6hours) trek, crossing the river to hike up to Casa de Piedra camp and tomorrow they will hit Plaza Argentina Base Camp.
Our other private team of Jesse and Guide Tomi moved from Puente del Vacas to Casa de Piedra yesterday. We expect them to head to base camp today before starting an accelerated speed ascent up the mountain early next week.
Cheers
CTSS Team
