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.
Helicopter Options
Many of our climbers say that one of the best experiences of their entire expedition is taking a helicopter flight back down the Khumbu Valley and getting an aerial view of the trek, the peaks they’ve been climbing and the mighty Himalayan range. It is, without doubt, one of the most scenic, adventurous mountain flights in the world.
Further, while people initially think they will want to undertake the 3 day, 40 mile trek back down the valley, we’ve found that after a long expedition in mountains, the draw of civilisation, getting back to family and friends & enjoying that well-deserved beer can be irresistible.
We have a number of options available for you:
One Way Helicopter from Ama Dablam Base Camp to Lukla*
$2,995 USD
A helicopter flight from Ama Dablam Base Camp to Lukla avoiding the three day walk back down the valley. From Lukla you will catch a regularly scheduled fixed-wing plane back to Kathmandu either that day or the following. (Your domestic fixed wing flight is included in your expedition costs)
One Way Helicopter from Base Camp to Kathmandu*
$4,995 USD
For climbers who are keen to get back to Kathmandu and homeward bound as quickly and efficiently as possible at the end of the expedition, we can arrange a helicopter for you directly from Ama Dablam Base Camp all the way to Kathmandu.
Family & Friends Options
We welcome you to invite friends and family to join you for all, or part of your 3 Peaks expedition.
The benefits are:
- The joy of sharing this once in a lifetime experience with your loved ones
- Lessening the time apart
- Puts family at ease as they get a first hand understanding and empathy of the nature of your expedition and goal
Everest Base Camp Trek (with Lobuche)
$4,495 USD
The Everest Base Camp trek is widely heralded as the best trek in the world and for good reason; it’s beautiful, challenging yet achievable, and incredibly scenic. Roughly 40 miles/70 km you will trek through lush green pastures, blossoming Rhododendron forests and the most spectacular mountain terrain in the world.
Adding 2 extra days to the usual Everest Base Camp schedule family and friends are welcome to stay with you the entire time and relax at Lobuche Base Camp while you climb (time apart is minimal)
Following your ascent you will journey together into Everest Base Camp Proper at 17,600ft/ 5,500m where, being affiliated with an Everest climbing expedition, your friends and family are also able to enter and spend 2x nights within Base Camp, something the vast majority of trekkers never experience.
This allows them to get a sense of the Everest base camp scene and community and what goes into an Everest expedition. If they are feeling good you have the added option to join our climbing clinic, scale Kala Pathar the morning they leave base camp for stunning views of the Everest Massif, Lhotse and Nuptse.
Your family and friends can then splinter off and return down valley if they are pressed for time with our other trekkers, spend extra nights at Base Camp, do the Gokyo Extension or join you for the entire 3 Peaks Circuit.
This is a sample itinerary only. Your actual daily schedule will be strategically planned to account for the best weather and summit windows etc. We begin our expedition in Kathmandu, Nepal before flying to Lukla in the Khumbu Valley. Our expedition ends in Kathmandu where CTSS will cover one night accommodation. We recommend booking a flexible return airfare.
- Apr 3 Team Arrives
- Apr 4 KTM Day
- Apr 5 Fly to Lukla/Phakding
- Apr 6 Trek to Namche
- Apr 7 Rest
- Apr 8 Trek to Tengboche
- Apr 9 Rest
- Apr 10 Trek to Pheriche
- Apr 11 Rest
- Apr 12 Trek to Lobuche Base camp
- Apr 13 Acclimatization Trek to Lobuche High Camp
- Apr 14 Move to Lobuche High Camp (optional - family and friends are welcome to stay in the better equiped Base Camp if they prefer)
- Apr 15 Rest Day
- Apr 16 Climbers summit, family & friends rest day
- Apr 17 Trek to EBC
- Apr 18 Everest Climbing Clinic & Explore BC
- Apr 19 Trek to Pheriche
- Apr 20 Trek to Namche
- Apr 21 Trek to Lukla
- Apr 22 Fly Lukla to KTM
- Apr 23 Fly Home
- Apr 24 Contingency Day
3 Peaks Trekking Circuit
$5,495 USD
Family and Friends often love to stay with you for your entire expedition and the 3 peaks trekking circuit is an ideal adventure to do this with you as it allows your loved ones to not only do the most spectacular trek in the world in Everest Base Camp but explore off the beaten track elements of the Khumbu Valley as they trek with you into Pokalde & Island Peak base camps too. These are seldom seen valleys off the main route full of authentic Sherpa culture minus the crowds.
Given the alpine climbing starts, the time you actually spend apart (whilst you are climbing and summiting) is actually minimal and a great time for them to kick back with some Chai tea and enjoy being in the majestic Himalaya far from the madding crowds
This is a sample itinerary only. Your actual daily schedule will be strategically planned to account for the best weather and summit windows etc. We begin our expedition in Kathmandu, Nepal before flying to Lukla in the Khumbu Valley. Our expedition ends in Kathmandu where CTSS will cover one night accommodation. We recommend booking a flexible return airfare.
- Apr 3 Team Arrives
- Apr 4 KTM Day
- Apr 5 Fly to Lukla/Phakding
- Apr 6 Trek to Namche
- Apr 7 Rest
- Apr 8 Trek to Tengboche
- Apr 9 Rest
- Apr 10 Trek to Pheriche
- Apr 11 Rest
- Apr 12 Trek to Lobuche base camp
- Apr 13 Trek to Lobuche High Camp
- Apr 14 Acclimatisation trek to Lobuche High Camp
- Apr 15 Rest Day
- Apr 16 Rest while climbers summit and descend Lobuche BC
- Apr 17 Trek to EBC
- Apr 18 Rest at EBC - Training
- Apr 19 Trek to Lobuche
- Apr 20 Trek to Pokalde via Kongma La
- Apr 21 Rest at Pokalde while climbers summit & descend to Chhukung
- Apr 22 Trek from Chhukung to Island Peak BC
- Apr 23 Rest at Island Peak BC while climbers summit and return Chhukung
- Apr 24 Trek Chhukung to Pangboche
- Apr 25 Pangboche to Namche
- Apr 26 Namche to Lukla
- Apr 27 Lukla flight to KTM
- Apr 28 Fly home
- Apr 29 Contingency day
- Apr 30 Contingency day
Ama Dablam Travel Guide
Expedition Meets in: Kathmandu, Nepal
Continent: Asia
Currency: Nepalese Rupee
Population: 28million
Official Language: Nepali
Seasons to climb: March to May = Spring | September to December = Fall
Things you Need to Know:
Tourist Visas
The visa policy of Nepal is relatively relaxed and straightforward allowing citizens of almost any country to obtain a visa on arrival at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International airport or at any road order. You can also obtain a visa at the Nepal embassy or consulate in your home country.
For most of our expeditions you will want a 30 day (US$50) or 90 day (US$125) visa.
Tourist visa can be extended for a maximum period of 150 days in a single visa year (January – December)
Visa requirements can change at anytime so it is worth checking with your travel agent or closest embassy for the most up to date information.
Getting there
You will need to fly into Kathmandu on, or before, the official arrival day of your expedition. A CTSS representative will pick you up at the airport so please advise us well in advance your arrival time and flight number. If you experience a delay travelling let us know immediately.
Domestic Flights
Your domestic flights into the Khumbu (to and from Lukla) are included in your expedition and will be booked by us on your behalf. There can be weather delays into and out of the Khumbu valley due to the mountainous terrain and low lying clouds which is why we recommend booking flexible return airfares home at the end of your expedition.
Money
In Kathmandu there is good access to ATMs and credit card facilities at most shops and restaurants but you should still have adequate Nepalese rupees and carry small denominations. Once you are in the Khumbu access to ATMs is very limited and while they can be found in the bigger hubs like Lukla and Namche, outages can be common so best not to rely exclusively on being able to access cash as you go. Responsibly carry adequate amounts of local currency for your needs and reserves for emergencies. We advise our clients in our team emails as to how much cash they should bring. USD is also selectively accepted.
Tipping
Tipping has become more common in Nepal in recent times due to increased tourism.
It is customary for your guides, porters and Sherpa staff. To make this process easier CTSS will collect and distribute fairly a ‘Sherpa Tip Pool’ and advise you on current amounts. In major tourist areas, hotels and restaurants you will often see a ‘service charge’ of 10% – this usually equals a tip. In smaller, local eateries it’s rare to see this and then it is up to your discretion.
Adapters
Nepal actually uses three plug types – C (two round pins) D (three round pins in a triangular pattern) & M (three round pins) so consider purchasing a reliable universal adapter that gives you all the options. Also it’s VERY important to note that Nepal operates on 230V supply and a supply voltage of 50HZ. If this differs from your home, buy a voltage converter to avoid frying your devices! For instance the standard voltage in the US is 120V and some older devices won’t handle a 230V supply.
Tap Water
The tap water and river water in Nepal is unsafe to drink so please use bottled water, purification tablets, or boiled water for drinking and brushing your teeth. Make sure you drink plenty of water. Your body requires more at altitude.
Personal Safety
Despite perceptions, Nepal is a relatively safe destination for travellers and there is a low rate of serious crime however you should still take sensible precautions.
Watch out for pick-pockets and bag-snatching, particularly in airports, on buses and in popular tourist areas like Thamel, Sanepa and Kupondol in Kathmandu. Avoid walking on your own and don’t carry or flaunt large sums of cash. Keep valuables in a hotel safe if possible. Behave in Nepal as you would at home, err on the conservative side in terms of dress and behaviour. Be respectful and always let your Guide know if you’re going to venture out and what your plan is. In general, we prefer to travel and stick together as a team.
Vaccinations
Consult your doctor or travel clinic in your home country for updated information on immunizations for Nepal and China. The usual recommended vaccinations are Diphtheria-tetanus, polio, measles, mumps and rubella, meningitis, hepatitis A & B, cholera, typhoid & rabies. Malaria shouldn’t be a problem in Kathmandu or on the climb. If you plan to travel to lower-elevation areas before or after the climb you should consider a malaria chemoprophylaxsis.
Ama Dablam Advice from Mike Hamill
A Personal Welcome to 'Climbing the Seven Summits' Ama Dablam Expedition from Mike Hamill
Ama Dablam holds a special place in my heart. My first time on the mountain I was climbing fast and light with a few guide buddies after getting back to Kathmandu from Cho Oyu. We were well acclimatized so were able to move quickly up the mountain. It is always a treat as a mountain guide to get out with friends and push yourself in the mountains; especially on a peak as beautiful as “Ama”.
I don’t think I fully understood the steepness and exposure that climbing on Ama Dablam entails. Although i really enjoy this aspect of the climb, on my first expedition to the mountain I was caught off guard because it is much more committing than other popular Himalayan “trade routes”. This is a serious climb that needs to be respected. Don’t underestimate it. However, if you show up prepared you will be rewarded with some of the most beautiful climbing in the world!
A climb of Ama Dablam is really the best way to experience the Khumbu valley and it’s culture. What better excuse than a climb as beautiful as this to venture into the most stunning and famous valley on the planet. Ama Dablam is also a great stepping stone to Everest because it mimics the steeper sections of the Everest climb.
We look forward to sharing this beautiful Himalayan giant with you and showing you the wonders of high altitude climbing!
All the best,
Mike Hamill
- Don’t underestimate the weather on Elbrus, make sure you invest in your warm gear and you carry it with you on the mountain even if you think the weather is going to be nice all day. It can get very windy on Elbrus and temperatures can drop quickly.
- Make sure your down parka is the last thing to go into your pack so it’s the first thing you can pull out. Put it on at every rest break before you start to get cold. It takes less energy for your body to maintain its warmth, than to have to warm up again once you start to notice you are getting cold.
- Look for the steps of climbers ahead of you and try to step in their steps. It’s much harder to kick in your own staircase on the steeper sections than use the one that’s already in place. As you start up, take a quick moment to look for these tracks to save yourself some energy. It’s worth conserving your energy even if you are at the start of your day.
- If you are tempted to take the snow cat on summit morning, don’t feel like you are “cheating” in anyway. Your previous acclimatization days will have put you at the same high point as the snow cat drops you off so you have still climbed every step of the mountain one way or another.
- If you are a skier or snowboarder I highly recommend the ski descent, it’s a memorable way to descend one of the Seven Summits (and a bonus claim to fame) as you can ski right off the summit. Not to mention its a much faster, more fun way back to the hut for a well deserved celebration.
Ama Dablam Training & Prerequisites
Prerequisites:
We require that our participants have a solid foundation in cold weather management and strong physical fitness. Cold is the one of the biggest hazards for this expedition and everyone needs to be comfortable taking care of themselves independently. It is also important that you have prior experience with cramponing, harness use and walking on snow. A strong rock-climbing base will also assist with the technical sections, but strong experience with using a fixed line will also suffice. The exposure on Ama Dablam is extreme so being comfortable with heights, steep terrain and big exposure is a must.
Participants need to have excellent fitness, and the mindset to be away from home for 3 weeks or more, and a desire for rugged adventure travel. An Ama Dablam Summit climb is very physically arduous and needs to be taken very seriously. Participants need to be in the shape of their lives and be able to climb for 12-15 hours through the cold carrying a pack on summit day.
Nepal is a very remote and rugged place with few of the creature comforts we have come to expect. We try to give our climbers nice amenities when possible but, at the end of the day, this is true adventure travel and you need to have patience and be able to roll with the punches.
Guides will work with clients throughout the expedition to provide safety, advice, logistics, technical guidance, and information to best ensure the clients’ success.
If you want to join this expedition but don’t have the requisite skills, we can work with you to get you up to speed prior to the expedition. Please let us know how we can help!
Physical Training
You need to be very physically fit and able to dedicate time to ‘climbing specific training’ in the lead up to your expedition. Being in top shape will also ensure you enjoy your climb, feel good throughout and get the most out of the experience.
It is vital that your training closely simulates what you will be doing on the mountain. Traditional gym workouts or general fitness plans aren’t targeted enough. Instead you need to emulate long physical days (8hrs +) in the mountains
We recommend that you:
- Start specific mountaineering training at least 3 months in advance
- Train at least 5 days a week for an hour or more
- Focus on high volume but low intensity training
- A good goal is to be able to comfortably climb 1,500 vertical ft per hour with 6-8kg, 15lbs day pack
- Schedule a few weekends where you can do two or more full days back to back. Multi day hikes with good elevation are ideal.
Mindset
Mindset and mental preparation are integral to your success on any peak.
You should be prepared:
- To be away from home/work for 2 weeks with short periods of being out of range
- Have a desire for rugged adventure travel
- Be open to receiving and deferring to guidance, support and advice from your guides/expedition leaders (even if you are an experienced mountaineer)
- Be comfortable having open conversations with your guides
- Be able to work well in a team environment by being supportive and respectful of fellow team mates
- Be humble, respectful and considerate even under pressure
How to Choose The Right Ama Dablam Expedition
Ama Dablam is one of the most beautiful and iconic peaks in the world and a great place to test your mettle. Whether you are a newer climber or very experienced, this climb has something for everyone. Many of our Everest Summiters have completed the Ama Dablam climb in their journey to the Everest Summit, while others use an ascent of Ama Dablam as an excuse to come back to the Khumbu after their Everest climb. Ama Dablam is a crowd favorite and it makes for a great opportunity to get on some similar terrain to Everest, albeit at lower altitude. In fact, many of our climbers pair Ama Dablam with other fall climbing in the Himalayas as the perfect way to train and gain high altitude experience and technical skills for Mt Everest. We welcome you to join us on this once-in-a-lifetime experience to one of the most beautiful regions on earth.
Climbing the Seven Summits is committed to providing the highest quality Ama Dablam climb. You can be assured that it will be both challenging and fun; a true once in a lifetime experience. Our professional priorities are first and foremost “Safety” and “Success” which we achieve by outfitting our teams with the best logistics and the most capable, qualified and seasoned guides in the world.
This expedition will be organized by Mike Hamill, Owner of Climbing the Seven Summits. Mike has personally guided 14 Mt. Everest expeditions, 26 X 8,000m expeditions, has 6 Everest summits, currently holds the record for most non-Sherpa summits of Cho Oyu, and has written the guide book to “Climbing the Seven Summits,” making him one of the most experienced expedition leaders working today. Climbing the Seven Summits expeditions are meticulously organized with the best logistics
Ama Dablam Expedition Beta
Elevation: 6,812m or 22,300ft
Duration: 27 Days
Continent: Asia
Country: Nepal
Route: Southwest Ridge Route
Difficulty: Advanced Intermediate
Special Considerations: To consider an ascent of Ama Dablam, participants must have a strong technical ability with experience using crampons, ice axes and fixed lines.
Previous experience on prolonged mountain expeditions is also desired, especially at high altitude. This is a very strenuous expedition so a high level of fitness is required.
Though fixed lines help climbers navigate some of the most technical route sections it is important for all Ama Dablam climbers to be comfortable with exposure, and moving through steep rocky terrain up to grade 5.8 or 5.9.
An ascent of Ama Dablam is a great option if you have past alpine rock climbing experience (for instance the Grand Teton in the USA, the Matterhorn in Switzerland, Carstensz Pyramid in Indonesia) and/or have climbed peaks like Lobuche East, Island Peak, Elbrus in Russia, or Denali in the United States.
If you’re not sure if you have the experience for this climb, please ask us. We can recommend a training regime, progression climbs and skills courses to make sure youare prepared and successful on your Ama Dablam climb.
Expedition Beta and Strategy
Our Ama Dablam climb meets in Kathmandu where we obtain our permits, run through gear checks and have a team meeting. Following our time in Kathmandu we fly to Lukla to start the trek. We land at the Hillary runway at roughly 9,000ft/3,000m. From the moment you land in Lukla you will be at altitude. It’s important to take it easy and let your body adjust to the altitude naturally. From here we make our way up the Khumbu valley staying at some of the best teahouses in the region in order to mitigate the stress so you can focus on the climb.
Hygiene is incredibly important to us and we take many precautions to make sure our team avoids getting sick. Despite this, illness can be a fact of life in Nepal so chances are people will at least experience a stomach rumbling at some point during the trek.
Once en route we use a slow, methodical acclimatization strategy to position ourselves for the summit bid. Most treks rush this process and suffer the consequences of altitude illness because of it.
Our Ama Dabalm base camp is the finest on the mountain. We spare little expense making you feel as comfortable as possible. Our top-notch cooks make you the healthiest food possible with strong hygiene standards.
What makes the beauty and excitement of trekking in this majestic land even better is being part of the lovely and hospitable Sherpa culture. Sherpa are known the world over for their graciousness and generosity.
Enjoy spending time visiting famous cultural and religious sights on our way through this scenic valley in the shadow of the world’s highest mountains. Our slow acclimatization schedule means there is plenty of time to explore landmarks like the famous Tengboche Monastery where you can stop by to visit a High Lama and receive a blessing, take time to explore the famous Namche Bazaar – the Sherpa capital or have a beer in the world’s highest pub. Passing by countless Tibetan Buddhist stupas and chortens, you will feel the rich culture of Tibetan Buddhism come alive.
We choose to implement a slow acclimatization schedule, not just so you can take in the sights and sounds of the valley but to ensure you enjoy your trek and feel great during the climb. Altitude isn’t something to be feared; it’s achievable for most people but it isn’t a process that can be rushed. Treks that move too quickly often have disgruntled, unwell people because their bodies are struggling to adjust.
Yes, a climb of Ama Dablam requires excellent fitness, and strong technical skills but it is an achievable goal. You need to have the mindset to be away from home for several weeks, along with the desire for adventure travel. The Khumbu is still a remote place with few of the creature comforts we have come to expect at home so it’s best to suspend your expectations of 5 star luxury, super smooth trails and blazing fast internet. In fact, when you embrace it, you’ll enjoy the slower pace of life and being a little disconnected from the rush of the Western world. That said, we do provide many of the comforts of home, select tea houses that are clean, have great food, offer hot showers, and support 3rd party wifi internet for purchase.
How is our program unique
We encourage you to research your many options when it comes to picking a guide service for your dream Ama Dablam climb. As a popular climb, we know that there are a variety of operators to choose from who offer different styles and therefore prices. A few ways in which we differ and add value to our trips are:
- CTSS Owner Mike Hamill oversees each expedition: Mike Hamill, 6 times Everest summiteer and leader of 25+ X 8000m expeditions personally oversees the planning and execution of each Ama Dablam expedition. The only way for a company owner to ensure that a trip improves every year and is led to the highest standards is for them to personally oversee and be present in the planning and execution of the expedition.
- The best teahouses: CTSS always stays at some of the finest teahouses in the valley. We choose our teahouses based upon quality of accommodations, hygiene and cleanliness, food and hospitality. The Khumbu Valley teahouses are rustic to be sure, and this is adventure travel. Even so, you will be in relative luxury.
- The best guides: This is hugely important- please research the quality and experience of your guides thoroughly. All of our guides have extensive knowledge of the region and have proven themselves at altitude time and again. Many of them have dozens of trips to Nepal and have stood on top of Mt. Everest so can talk about what it’s like to climb the world’s biggest mountains.
- Highest paid Sherpa: We purposely pay our Sherpa more than anyone so that they are happy and take care of our clients. Year in, year out we can attract the best talent. Our world-class team of Sherpa are hand-picked by Sirdar Tendi Sherpa and CTSS owner Mike Hamill to ensure we have the cream of the crop. They are all close friends who we have complete confidence in. Because they are paid well they go the extra mile to make sure base camp is exceptional and that our clients are extremely well taken care of. Once they’ve been selected for the team, they go through intensive training and a 5-day review process which includes mountain medicine, client care, technical rescue, and guiding principles before being ok’ed to work. We believe in our Sherpa and know that they will do a great job for you and become friends for life.
Expedition Leadership
This expedition will be organized by guide and owner of CTSS, Mike Hamill. Mike is universally regarded as one of the most experienced and respected high altitude mountaineers and expedition leaders in the world.
He has personally guided thousands of climbers on the Seven Summits and well over 300 climbers have stood atop 8000m peaks, including Everest with him. A guide for over 20 years, he boasts a 91% expedition success rate and an 83% climber summit success rate for all of his expeditions worldwide.
He has stood on top of Everest 6x and currently holds the record for most non-Sherpa summits of Cho Oyu. He’s also the author of the guidebook “Climbing the Seven Summits,”
To complement his leadership, Mike has hand-picked a selection of the finest mountaineering professionals from around the world to make up the international CTSS guiding team.
Our team are some of the most highly experienced and qualified guides in the world. Chosen for their attention to detail, safety records along with their fun, genuine and caring personalities, we have no hesitation in saying they are the best. Mike holds the CTSS staff to the same high standards as he holds himself.
Who you choose for expedition organization and leadership is a big deal – it can be the difference between a great expedition and a miserable, potentially dangerous one and you only want the best in your corner. The fact that Mike and his guides have an unprecedented safety record should be a paramount consideration in who you choose to climb with.
Mike and the CTSS team’s love for the mountains and adventure continues in our corporate social responsibility policy. A portion of profits and fundraising climbs are organized every year in support of the “Tiger of the Snows Fund” a not-for-profit that provides grants to further education of mountain tourism workers and their families.
Climbing the Seven Summits’ primary aim is to help you attain your personal climbing and trekking goals while experiencing the best of our planet, its unique cultures and environments.
We strive to offer the highest quality mountaineering expeditions and treks at a great value while focusing on our primary goals: safety, success, and enjoyment.
We achieve this by bringing our extensive experience, top of the line logistics individualized service, and world-class guides to each adventure we undertake.
To give our clients the highest possible chance at success we are detailed in our approach, ensuring we’ve dotted our ‘i’s and crossed our ‘t’s. We provide personalized service, employ conservative acclimatization schedules, use top of the line mountaineering, camping and communications gear, hire only the best mountain leaders and we don’t skimp on costs.
Our expeditions strive to set the highest standards and climb in “good style”. By this we mean prioritising the wellbeing and safety of our teams, leaving no trace on the environments we operate in, respecting culture, contributing to local economies by employing regional partners and paying them higher than the industry standard and working in a self-sufficient and self-reliant way. We promote a responsible approach to adventure travel by connecting people to the natural world and giving back to local communities by donating a percentage of every expedition to ‘Tiger of the Snows Fund”
We take immense pride in our expeditions and this shows in the positive feedback we receive from our teams who form lasting friendships forged in the mountains as they work together and overcome tough challenges.
Great leaders like Mike inspire and lead people to take on challenges and achieve great things.
- Tim Igo
