Waiting for their Window
Hello from the Himalayas!
We are excited that our second wave of climbers, including all climbers on a 1:1 program, are getting ready to set off on their summit bids!
Tomorrow morning, the climbers, guides, and Sherpas will wake up, gear up, and set out for the journey of a lifetime! Before the sun rises, they will climb through the Khumbu Icefall. Some climbers plan to stay at Camp 1, and some will go directly to Camp 2. It's important to note that all climbers are keeping their schedules fluid to accommodate how they feel and the mountain's traffic (among other factors).
Up next: the Khumbu Icefall. Photo from CTSS Archives
Beyond Camp 2, climbers will move up to Camp 3, where they will sleep on oxygen. They will remain on oxygen above Camp 3 for the rest of their summit bid. The weather is looking stable and we are excited for this team who have been so prepared, patient, and fun to take their journey to the top of the world.
The upper mountain and in position for a summit bid. Photo from CTSS Archives
Meanwhile, our successful Western Guided team, who summited Mount Everest over the weekend, is saying farewell to Everest Base Camp today and starting their trek back down the Khumbu Valley. They expect to be back in Kathmandu around the 19th of May.
A final farewell for our Western Guided team! Photo courtesy of Jangbu
Everest Base Camp Celebrations
What an incredible last few days for our first summit team.
Summiting in great weather, watching the sunrise from the top of the world, creating friendships that will last a lifetime, experiencing the power and beauty of the world's tallest peak, and most importantly, feeling what it's like to walk safely back into Everest Base Camp after a successful climb.
Once again, huge congrats to the climbers. To the climbers and their families and friends - thank you for trusting CTSS to support you in this massive goal.
The team is all back at Everest Base Camp, celebrating their achievements, including Tendi Sherpa, below, who just completed his 16th summit on Mount Everest.
Tendi Sherpa (in blue) on the summit of Mount Everest, marking his 16th summit on the world's tallest peak.
Some climbers will helicopter out to get back to friends and family (and newfound fame), while others will relish walking back down the Khumbu Balley slowly with their teammates. Either way, they will have memories that will last a lifetime.
Below are a few of the incredible images for their summit. Photo credit to Nanika Stahringer, Tendi Sherpa, Josh McDowell, and Ashish Gurung.
And, of course, a welcome celebration at Everest Base Camp. Photo credit to Nanika Stahringer, Tendi Sherpa, Josh McDowell, and Ashish Gurung.
Summit Teams Return to Camp 2
The entire summit team is now safely back to Camp 2. It was a huge day, nearly 24 hours on the move, but they elected to drop down to move off the windy South Col and sleep better. They will likely be back in Everest Base Camp tomorrow to celebrate and rest.
The second half of our team is patient and strategic, looking for the best summit window for their bids.
Once again, congratulations to all 26 climbers who stood on top yesterday on a great summit day with no crowds.
Here's a look at what the summit bid is like for our Everest climbers:
26 Everest Summits on May 13, 2024
Morning of 13th May (Local Nepal time)
A huge congratulations to our climbers, guides & Sherpas.
We are so proud to announce that all 26 climbers who left on their summit bid today have successfully stood on top of Mount Everest.
Including:
- Ms Lee Donald
- Mr Bert Snarr
- Mr Thomas Smith
- Mr Michael Fortune
- Mr David Keating
- Mr Terry Ledgard
- Mr Jared Harris
- Mr Patrick Monday
- Mr Josh McDowell (Guide)
- Mr Manuel Stahringer (Guide)
- Dawa Furten Bhote
- Pasang Bhote
- Dawa Jyabu Bhote
- Nuru Sherpa (Papchhe)
- Pasang Rinji Sherpa
- Dawa Sherpa (Ramete)
- Dorjee Sherpa
- Milan Tamang
- Jangbu Sherpa
- Thunang Lhomi
- Sujan Gurung
- Gyalbu Tamang
- Pasang Tendi Sherpa
- Sona Sherpa
- Ang Tshering Sherpa
- Ashis Gurung
The team are now making their way back down to the South Col. Please know that no news is good news. The winds are forecast to pick up a little, so the team is moving efficiently and not stopping to pull out radios unless absolutely necessary.
What a way to celebrate Mothers' Day! Congratulations to all.
Photos CTSS Archives
First Everest Summit Bids Underway
Evening Sunday 12th May
Summit bids are underway, with the traditional Western Guided Team climbers heading out of the South Col at approximately 8:30 pm Guided by Josh McDowell and Nani Strahringer.
We are looking at no crowds and clear skies as they climb throughout the night and into the morning. We expect summits early on the 13th around or just after sunrise. Please remember that no news is good news. It is a long summit day, and it is not unusual not to hear much as Guides conserve radio batteries. It's a case of heads down, keep moving. We will announce successful summiteers when they are back at the South Col.
If you want to see the route and what your climber is currently experiencing, take a quick look at: https://youtu.be/jsHzfy8yO6E?si=zN96aQ-FsThm7AKU
The remainder of the team is at Everest Base Camp preparing for their summit bids.
We are excited to keep you updated.
Summit Team Staged at Camp 3
Evening of Saturday 11th May
Hello from the Himalayas! We hope you are all rolling into a fabulous Mother's Day weekend and spoiling those moms/mums of yours! Apologies to the mums of our Western Guided Team who are above Base Camp right now, as they won't be able to send a message to you all, thanking you for all your support and love and for helping them get here and live out their dreams. We honor you.
At Camp 3 we have:
- Bert Snarr
- Tom Smith
- Adam Kennedy
- Michael Fortune
- David Keating
- Terry Ledgards
- Jared Harris
- Pat Monday
- Lee Donald & Personal Sherpa Thunang Bhote
- Guide Josh McDowell & Guide Nani Strahringer.
They climbed the Lhotse Face strongly today - leaving early, at about 5 am, when the face was cold to minimize rockfall, and pulled into Camp 3 in good style and good time. They are sleeping on oxygen now and will remain on oxygen throughout their summit bids.
In the morning, they will keep heading up the Lhotse Face, through the Yellow Band, up to the South Col (Camp 4) at 8000m, where they will rest and get some sleep before they begin their summit attempts! We have winds in range throughout the night of the 12th and morning of the 13th, forecast to pick up more later in the afternoon of the 13th. There are no crowds which means they will be able to move smoothly and efficiently. We are so excited for them and wishing them the best of luck.
Check out their route below:
Back at Everest Base Camp, readying for their window are:
- Ruben S
- Marc B
- Randall E
- Chen (Blake) Li
- Yinghong H
- Riki J
- Pascale S
- Aga O
- Darragh O
Everything is smooth, let's head to the summit!
Photos from the CTSS Archive
The Start of Summit Bids on Everest
Evening of May 10th
The forecast is favorable.
The winds are within range.
The route is ready, thanks to the summit rope fixing team.
Our team is feeling strong and eager.
It’s go time!
Our Western Guided team is tucked in at Camp 2. They plan to start climbing at 5am local time up to Camp 3, where they will spend tomorrow night, before continuing toward the summit.
The 1:1 Private Guided and Personal Sherpa climbers are at Everest Base Camp, recovering and resting from their last rotation. They are all excited as they begin to prepare and strategize for their summit bid.
Exciting times in Nepal!
Summit bids are starting! Here's to continue good weather and strong energy.
The World's Highest Ping Pong Tournament
We are getting excited as we move closer and closer to summit bids. With the team fully acclimatized, all eyes are on the forecast, specifically the winds. We are looking for an opportune moment. The team is eager, the logistics are in place, and we are excited to get things underway.
While we wait, we knew it was the perfect time to host the World's Highest Ping Pong Tournament. The results are in, and guide Pega narrowly edged out Dawa Yolmo in the finals to successfully defended his 2023 title. Congrats to all the ping-pong players!
If you're climbing with us in 2025, this is your sign to start brushing up on your ping-pong skills as part of your training regime. For real. The Sherpas are hard to beat.
Meanwhile, guide Tomi has taken over the kitchen and is whipping up some incredible Argentinian fare as well as pizza and chicken brochette skewers.
Ecuador Volcanoes Advice from Mike Hamill
Ecuador Volcanoes Advice from Mike Hamill
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Personal advice on climbing in Ecuador from Mike Hamill
If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck in mountaineering, Ecuador delivers. You get multiple high-altitude summits, glaciated terrain, technical variety, and cultural richness, all packed into a tight timeframe. It’s one of the most efficient and rewarding expeditions on the CTSS calendar. For anyone training for bigger objectives like Aconcagua, Denali, or Everest, this trip gives you serious mountain mileage at a fraction of the cost. But it’s not just a tune-up or a progression; it stands on its own as an unforgettable adventure.
One thing I always remind climbers: Ecuador kicks off fast. Within a couple of days of arriving, we’re climbing above 16,000ft. That means your body needs to adapt quickly. I recommend speaking with your doctor ahead of time about starting altitude medication before you go above 10,000 feet. It can give you a significant edge and help you feel stronger earlier in the trip.
The weather in Ecuador can be unpredictable. You might start a climb under sunny skies and finish it in a whiteout. I always wear and pack a complete layering system in my pack: a base layer, a fleece or mid-layer, a shell, and an insulating puffy jacket because conditions can change quickly, and you want to be prepared. One piece of gear I constantly see people underestimate is eye protection. Even on cloudy days, snow blindness is a real threat. Bring a solid pair of glacier glasses (and a backup), and I also recommend something like a face glove. It’s a cost-effective and lightweight way to protect your nose and cheeks from the sun while also reducing fog on your lenses.
And finally, one of my favorite parts of this trip is the cultural immersion. Between climbs, there’s unavoidable drive time, but I see that as a chance, not a chore. I always bring a book on Ecuador’s history or download a couple of podcasts. Learning about the country while physically moving through it adds so much to the experience. The haciendas we stay in are steeped in history, and the local teams we work with have great pride in their heritage. The more you engage with the people and places, the more connected you’ll feel to the mountains you’re climbing. For me, that’s what elevates this expedition beyond just the summits; it becomes a full-circle, enriching journey.
