All is quiet from Everest this evening which means all of our teams have tucked in for the night. We received word that the Bouka family has successfully made it to Camp 2.

In addition, Camp 3 will soon be in rotation. The Ice Doctors and Sherpa have fixed the lines which means our team will now start carrying and caching oxygen to use on the upper reaches of the mountain.

Curious about the use of oxygen on Everest? Here is a little more background how we approach and allocate oxygen. In general, we run an oxygen flow of 3L/min or more while climbing, and 1L/min sleeping. This equates to about 8 bottles per climber, which means a lot of oxygen has to move up the mountain! We are proud to use hyper-efficient and state-of-the-art oxygen masks which help all of our climbers and Sherpa make the most of each oxygen bottle while on the mountain. If you want to learn a little more about the science of acclimatization and available oxygen at high altitudes, our Understanding Acclimatization page is a great place to start!

All of our climbers and teams are above Base Camp in the thick of their acclimatization rotations. Remember, no news is good news from your climbers. We will continue to keep our blog updated as we hear more from our team.

Private climbers Michael K. with guide Dorjee, Eva S. with guide Papshe, and Varun R. with guide Thunang are all at Camp 2 for their second night. Sam and Emma Schwerin, Adam S., John W., Jocelyn C., Robert A., and our Camp 3 climber Doug C, are joining them tonight.

At Camp 1, the Bouka family is settling in for their second night after a rest and acclimatization day alongside Speed Ascenders Anna K. and Ilknur C. Tomorrow, they will move to Camp 2.

Kevin S, with guide Jangbu, and Andrea G., with Guide Robert, made excellent time to Camp 1, moving smoothly through the Khumbu Icefall. They are settled in for the night.

A fresh dusting of snow came and went, and now there are starry skies in the Western CWM with a clear weather forecast over the next few days.

At Everest Base Camp, Chef Emma and her team are enjoying a much-deserved break until the climbers return.

We are impressed with everyone’s morale and strength. All climbers and teams are doing great!  

Below, we link two videos from our YouTube channel. First is a breakdown of the route through the Khumbu Icefall (Stage 2), followed by the route from the Western CWM to the Lhotse Face (Stage 3). The Western CWM is just above Camp 1. A huge part of a climber’s preparation for a climb like Everest is visualization, so we do not doubt that many on Everest right now have watched these videos. If you’re at home, we hope this gives you a glimpse into the sights and sounds our teams are experiencing. 

Our teams are on the move! Today, the Western Guided team and many of our private climbers arrived safely at Camp 1 for their second rotation. This ascent was efficient and smooth, precisely what we love to hear from the Khumbu Icefall.

Most of these climbers and teams will pause and spend tonight and tomorrow night acclimatizing at Camp 1 before continuing higher.

Tonight, two more private climbers, Kevin S., with guide Jangbu, and Andrea G., with guide Robert, will join the others at Camp 1 to begin their rotations.

Our Lhotse climbers and Speed Ascenders are preparing and readying at Everest Base camp and will make their move up the mountain in the next few days.

Before climbers started on their first and second rotations, we had a special visit at Everest Base Camp from Mitchell Hutchcraft, who, like many of our climbers, has eyes set on summiting Everest this season. But Mitch’s path to Everest has been anything but typical. Since departing Dover, UK, Mitch took a 34-kilometer swim across the English Channel. After that, he peddled over 10,000 kilometers from the coast of France to the coast of India. For his third phase, Mitch set out on foot, running 900 kilometers from sea level in India to Kathmandu, Nepal. For his final leg, Mitch trekked to Everest Base Camp from Kathmandu and will continue climbing all the way to the summit of Mount Everest. INCREDIBLE.

As CTSS’s owner Mike Hamill shared, “He’s already on day 227. Unreal. Best of luck with the rest of your climb; we’ll have a beer waiting for you when you get down to celebrate your achievement.”

Below is a photo of Mitch and Mitch, two absolute legends!

We have a few private climbers at Camp 1, including Eva S. with guide Papshe, Michael K. with guide Dorgee, and Varun R. with guide Thunang. As part of their first rotation, they will look to tag Camp 2 tomorrow.

Due to wind and snow, the Western Guided team, along with many private climbers, took another rest day at Everest Base Camp. They spent the day in the Big House, enjoying hot cappuccinos and playing the world’s highest game of bingo. They will head up early tomorrow for their rotations.

Here are a few photos from the CTSS archives, showcasing our famous Big House. Photos courtesy of Guy Williment. 

In the afternoon, the sun resurfaced and cast its warmth down on Base Camp. Everyone enjoyed an early dinner in preparation for tomorrow’s rotation. The team also enjoyed a final Puja ceremony held on an auspicious day. We’re thankful that all of our teams, including our 30-Day and 40-Day Speed Ascenders, as well as Ardavan F., our Lhotse climber, had the opportunity to take part in such a special Tibetan Buddhist tradition and blessing.

Our final team of Everest Base Camp trekkers has arrived back in Kathmandu after a quick flight from Lukla. Tonight they will celebrate their successes with a team farewell dinner. Massive congratulations to all our trekkers who made their way to Everest Base Camp this season.

Between Big Tendi, Little Tendi, and CTSS’s owner, Mike Hamill, this trio has over 55  Everest expeditions under their belts, plus nearly 100x 8000m peaks. They work diligently to leverage this experience for the success of the team, and we feel incredibly lucky to have not only their experience as leaders but also the collective experience of all of our guides and staff.

Our final team of Everest Base Camp trekkers has arrived in Lukla. They are ready to wave goodbye to the Khumbu Valley but leave with incredible memories and a new bond as friends and adventurers.

Things have been buzzing at and above Everest Base Camp. The rope fixing team is now working well above Camp 3. 

After a weekend of training on the Khumbu Icefall, several of our private climbers, including Michael K., Eva S., and Varun R., have moved up to Camp 1 in good form to start their first rotation. Many of our climbers who completed their first rotation are now eyeing their second rotation, including our Western Guided team. Below are a few photos from CTSS’s Cinematographer, Griffin Kerwin, from the first rotation to Camp 1 and Camp 2.

Our 30-Day Speed Ascender, Alyssa, arrived at Everest Base Camp and will be preparing to move higher in the coming days. Alyssa is enjoying some of Chef Emma and Kumar’s delicious (and nutritious) food. Chef Emma shared a few images of the eclectic meals they’vethey’ve been whipping up, including Scandinavian-style eggs with quinoa, pakora (Indian vegetable fritters), fried chicken, and dragon fruit for dessert.

Thank you to all of our staff, guides, and Sherpa who make each season possible. 

All of the teams and climbers who made their way to Camp 1 and Camp 2 are now safely back at Everest Base Camp. We’re thrilled to have two successful rotations under our belt, with more rotations on the way.

Our climbers remain ready, and spirits are high at Base Camp. Thank you to Tendi Sherpa for sharing these photos of your rotation above Base Camp with a few of our climbers, including Emma Schwerin.

Our final group of Everest Base Camp trekkers has arrived at Base Camp. Today, they will participate in a beginner-friendly climbing clinic led by our talented Sherpa and guiding team.

With a little break in the action on the mountain, we wanted to share an inspiring story about giving back. Before even setting foot on the trail with our Rugged Luxury expedition, 15-year-old Ethan Ong raised over $9,200 for the Tendi Sherpa Foundation. His generosity supports education, healthcare, and livelihoods for Sherpa families across Nepal, and it sets the tone for a purposeful and memorable journey. Below are a few of the shots from Ethan’s trek to Everest Base Camp.

CTSS is committed to promoting sustainability, in all its forms, in the communities in which we climb and trek. Economic sustainability ensures that local communities benefit fairly from the mountaineering industry. This means supporting local guides, porters, and businesses by providing fair wages, investing in local infrastructure, and fostering responsible tourism that contributes to long-term economic stability.

Discover how your registration fees help empower local communities through education.

If Ethan’s story inspires you, too, to give, you can make a donation to the Tendi Sherpa Foundation here.

With our Western Guided team resting and enjoying Everest Base Camp, it was time for many private climbers to take their first spin on the upper mountain. Climbers tagged Camp 2 earlier today and are returning to Camp 1 for the evening before making their way back to Base Camp tomorrow. Below are a few shots from Nani Stahringer, who is our lead guide for the Western Guided team, above Base Camp. 

Today, our final team of Everest Base Camp trekkers arrived at camp and are ready to kick back and relax in our Big House. Tomorrow, they get a taste of what it feels like to be an Everest climber when they partake in a beginner-friendly ice climbing clinic at the foot of the Khumbu Glacier. If you’ve been following along, you might have noticed that this beginner-friendly clinic is a staple on both our Rugged Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek & Stay and our spring-season Everest Base Camp Trek & Stay. We want all of our trekkers to walk away having had the experience of a lifetime that goes above and beyond their expectations.

And finally, today, we want to share a few photos from our Lobuche East climber, Kae, who has been making the most of her time in the Khumbu. These images capture the essence of so many of our favorite things, from the Puja ceremony to skills training, with lots of smiles and laughs in between. Thank you, Kae, for sharing:

Dr. Brenton isn’t just a doctor—he’s also an educator. As a Senior Lecturer in Healthcare in Remote and Extreme Environments at the University of Tasmania, he’s actively involved in training the next generation of expedition medics, preparing them for the unique challenges of practicing medicine in the world’s most isolated and high-risk locations. His background also includes research in high-altitude medicine, contributing to publications that help improve the safety of climbers worldwide.

CTSS founder Mike Hamill sums up Dr. Brenton’s expertise best:

“Dr. Brenton is one of the most experienced high-altitude doctors in the world. Having someone like him lead Kilimanjaro trips for us, not just as a doctor but as a true mountain professional, is exactly what sets CTSS apart. His knowledge of high-altitude mountaineering and physiology is second to none, ensuring our climbers have the best possible support—both for their success and their safety.”

When he’s not guiding or practicing medicine, you’ll likely find Dr. Brenton backcountry skiing, trail running, or road cycling—always training for the next adventure. Although his career has taken him many places, Dr. Brenton’s passion remains the same: helping people explore the mountains safely and with confidence. This is precisely why Dr. Brenton is leading our upcoming December and January Kilimanjaro team departures, including our newly launched Masters Mountaineering program. This expedition is tailored towards climbers 50 and older who want to take on a major peak with the right pace, structure, and support.

Masters Mountaineering Climb With Dr. Brenton

Our Masters Mountaineering climbs are designed to give older climbers the best chance of success by allowing more time for acclimatization, building in extra support, and maintaining a steady, sustainable pace. Many climbers don’t start their mountaineering journey until their 50s or 60s, and with the right approach, it’s entirely possible to take on big mountains well into your later years. What makes this climb even more unique is having Dr. Brenton on your team.

His deep expertise in high-altitude physiology, acclimatization, and injury prevention ensures that climbers aren’t just pushing their limits but doing so safely. Whether it’s managing pre-existing conditions, optimizing nutrition and hydration, or recognizing early signs of altitude illness, Dr. Brenton’s presence adds an invaluable layer of security and knowledge to the expedition.

If you’re considering an adventure like this but aren’t sure where to start, join us for our Masters Mountaineering: Climbing After 50 webinar in March. Our experts will cover training, pacing, acclimatization, and injury prevention—everything you need to take on big mountains with confidence.

Our first rotation to Camp 2 is in full swing for many of our climbers at Everest Base Camp. The Western Guided team, who spent a few nights at Camp 1 and tagged Camp 2, are now back at Everest Base Camp resting and recharging before their next rotation. We have private climbers at Camp 1 now and are looking to tag Camp 2 as part of their acclimatization process.

Below are a few shots from the Bouka family, who arrived at Everest Base Camp yesterday. With their arrival, almost all of our Everest Climbers are at Base Camp; we have a few Speed Ascenders still coming up the Khumbu Valley. These remaining teams and climbers will begin their rotations on Everest shortly.

Our final team of Everest Base Camp trekkers arrived in Gorak Shep today. This is the final village before reaching the outskirts of Everest Base Camp. Tomorrow, they will climb Kalapattar and make the trek to Everest Base Camp, where they will be rewarded with incredible food, sights, and energy.

Today, we want to highlight one of our Rugged Luxury trekkers, 15-year-old Ethan Ong, who joined us this season for the journey of a lifetime to Everest Base Camp. Ethan raised over $9,200 for the Tendi Sherpa Foundation before setting foot on the trail. His generosity supports education, healthcare, and livelihoods for Sherpa families across Nepal, setting the tone for a purposeful and memorable experience. Below are a few photos of Ethan and Tendi Sherpa from the Khumbu.

CTSS is committed to promoting sustainability, in all its forms, in the communities in which we climb and trek. Economic sustainability ensures that local communities benefit fairly from the mountaineering industry. This means supporting local guides, porters, and businesses by providing fair wages, investing in local infrastructure, and fostering responsible tourism that contributes to long-term economic stability.

Discover how your registration fees help empower local communities through education.

If Ethan’s story inspires you, too, to give, you can make a donation to the Tendi Sherpa Foundation here.