Manaslu Team Heads to Basecamp
Our CTSS 2022 Manaslu climbing and trekking teams have been making excellent progress!
Over the last 6 day’s they’ve trekked up the Dudh Khola river valley up to the incredible Larkya La pass at 16,860 feet (5,138m). Crossing the Larkya La Pass is a fairly arduous day with a 1:00AM wakeup to make sure the team was up and over the pass before any afternoon weather can set in. Descending down to the Budhi Gandaki valley our team rolled into the village of Samdo for a well earned meal and night of rest.
With the hard trekking behind them it was an easy morning walk down to the town of Samaguan, at the base of the valley leading to up Manaslu Basecamp. On the way they got their first glimpse of Manaslu high above the valley floor.
Today the team took a rest and acclimatization day in Samaguan visiting an ancient temple to receive blessings from the Lama for a safe climb. Tomorrow the hard work begins again with a steep ascent into Manaslu Basecamp.
On arrival they’ll be greeted by our signature Big Dome dining tent and the best basecamp accommodations of any team on the mountain. From our professional chefs to the espresso maker in the dining area we have made sure that our team is able to rest and fuel into top shape for their upcoming climb.
While the Climbing Team is starting to set their sights on their main objective our Trekking Team is looking forward to living at basecamp for a few days before returning to the lush valley below to continue exploring the incredible culture surrounding Samaguan.
Best of luck to our teams as they roll into basecamp tomorrow!
Cheers,
CTSS Team
Sando & photos from the trail to Manaslu
The Manaslu climbers and trekkers are doing great.
Yesterday they had an alpine start (leaving the teahouse at 2am for to cross the Larke Pass (5,106m) to Sando. It was a huge 12-14hr day, with everyone arriving strong and in great spirits. Today is a much shorter day as they move to Samdawa.
The trail is beautiful, lush green which comes with the rain.
All photos care of CTSS Guide Tomi Ceppi
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Manaslu Team on the Move
Our Manaslu 2022 team are well on their way to Base Camp and to begin their climb.
Meeting in Kathmandu, running through gear checks & guide briefings, yesterday they waved farewell to the hustle and bustle of the Capital and caught the bus to Besishar. Today they are back on board and heading to Dharapani.
From Dharapani they hit the trail and begin their trek into Base Camp. The team are excited to get moving toward the mountain after months of training and preparation.
Cheers
CTSS Team
Kili Team Tops Out
Congratulations to our Kilimanjaro team who today stood on top of Uhuru Peak. 100% of the team topped out and stood on the highest point of Africa, at 19,340ft/5,895m.
Hearty congratulations to;
Doug Owen
Gray Owen
Erik Johnson
Caelyn Crosby
Bill Owen
Robert Smith
Nick Cuizo
Malvika Karunan
It looks chilly up there today! The team are now on descent near Millenium Camp where they will have a brief rest before coming down to Mweka their final camp on the mountain (after a huge 12-15hr day!) before exiting the National Park tomorrow and celebrating on safari!
Kili Team Tackle Baranco Wall
Our Kilimanjaro team are doing great and enjoying some stunning weather. Today they tackled the Barranco Wall early in the day, which leads up precipitously up to the day’s high point (where they are rewarded with some more amazing Kilimanjaro views) before dropping down once again into Karanga Camp which is beneficial for their acclimatization. About a 5hour day experiencing the unique alpine desert environment.
From here they are in striking distance of the summit, tomorrow they’ll move up to Barafu Camp (High Camp), The word 'barafu' is the Swahili word for 'ice', which refers to the cold climate at this altitude before tackling the summit the following day.
Lead Guide Gerry reports the team are moving really well and having a great time.
Cheers
CTSS Team
Kili Team Up to Barranco Camp
The Kili team rose early today for their 11km trek up to Barranco Camp.
A nice, challenging day today that took them up to the Lava Tower and the Shark’s Tooth rock formation at 4,600m and then dropping back down to sleep at Barranco Camp (3,900m) aiding in their acclimatization by reaching a new high point and then retreating to a lower altitude to rest.
Yesterday they came up from Machame Camp at (2,835m) to Shira Camp (3,850m) through the low alpine grasslands. Shira Camp has some pretty spectacular views of Mount Meru in the East and Kibo in the North West so we’ll be looking forward to seeing their photos.
All well from Kili - the team are strong and happy!
Cheers
CTSS Team
Ecuador Team Wraps Up
The CTSS July Ecuador Volcanoes is wrapping up!
The team is now all back down and out of the mountains and many of the crew are already on their way home. After great success on Cotopaxi last week the final climb of the trip, Chimborazo, proved to hold more challenging conditions. Waking very early yesterday morning the team got sorted for their climb. Despite leaving early and putting in a strong effort snow conditions at higher elevations ended up not being safe enough to give the team another summit. After making the call to turn around the team descended through high camp and all the way back to the jeeps. A few hours drive time put them back in Quito resting and celebrating a fantastic expedition.
It was exciting to have such a great crew of climbers exploring Ecuador over the last two weeks. With another great trip in the bag we're already turning our eyes towards the 2022 fall Ecuador expedition November 5-15. Is Ecuador your next expedition? Check out the trip online or email info@climbingthesevensummits.com for more details or to sign up.
Congratulations to our Ecuador climbers on a fantastic expedition!!!
Cheers,
CTSS Team
100% Cotopaxi Summits
100% Summit Success!!!
Congratulations to our Ecuador team! Despite some tough weather including wind and low visibility our team in Ecuador had an excellent climb of Cotopaxi today. Starting early this morning they pushed up from the refuge through the clouds for a successful summit. It is always exciting to have the entire team on top, well done!
The team has now descended back to the Hut, packed up their gear and are all resting by the hot springs in Papallacta a few hours drive from Cotopaxi national park. After days of dealing with tough weather you cant ask for a better celebration of a successful summit.
After resting in Papallacta some of the team will be flying home tomorrow while our Chimborazo extension climbers ramp back into climbing mode and head back to the mountains.
Chimborazo (20,549 ft) is the highest volcano in Ecuador as well as one of Ecuador's most coveted climbing objectives. We're hoping for great weather as our team moves to high camp and eyes a summit bid over the next two days.
Strong work team and best of luck on Chimborazo!
Cheers,
CTSS Team
Weather on Cayambe, on to Cotopaxi!
Our Ecuador team keeps on trucking along!
Poor weather including a ton of new snow kept the team from summiting on Cayambe yesterday. The team gave it a strong attempt and then descended back to the safety of the hut. A bumpy jeep ride took them off the mountain and down to Hacienda La Cienega for an afternoon of relaxation and a good nights rest. Hacienda La Cienega is a beautiful compound over 300 years old with gorgeous courtyards, spacious rooms and a chance to take a walk through the history of Ecuador.
Today the team is heading into Cotopaxi National Park in advance of their climb of Cotopaxi and tomorrow they'll head up to the alpine hut located high on Cotopaxi. The hut system on the Ecuadorian Volcanoes is fantastic, with electricity, food services, and heat . Despite being located at over 15,000 feet these huts give climbers a comfortable place to pack, relax, and recover as they shoot for the summit.
Cheers,
CTSS Team
Volcan Imbabura in the bag!
The CTSS Ecuador team checked in this morning with some fantastic photos from their acclimatization climb of Volcan Imbabura yesterday.
While a strenuous hike, Imbabura provides amazing views and is a fantastic way to acclimatize. The team returned to the Hacienda tired but happy last night after putting in a solid effort throughout the day.
Today they're heading buy bus and jeep to the hut on Cayambe, the first glaciated climb of this expedition. Tomorrow they'll rest at the hut and go out for a few hours of snow school before an early bedtime in preparation for the summit bid.
Cheers,
CTSS Team
