Western Guided Team Tags Camp 2
Here’s what our teams are up to in the Khumbu today:
Our Western Guided team is doing well on their rotation. They successfully tagged Camp 2 today before retreating to Camp 1 to sleep. Several of our private climbers will be headed to Camp 1 this evening.
Otherwise, we have more private climbers who are acclimatizing and practicing their skills. Thank you to climber Eva Steinwald, who, at 62, is aiming to climb all Seven Summits by the age of 70. Eva took part in our Masters Mountaineering webinar, and we are excited to follow along as she sets her sights on summiting Everest this season.
We have one team, the Bouka family, arriving at Everest Base Camp today. They will no doubt enjoy the comforts of our luxury camp.
Further down the Khumbu, our second team of Everest Base Camp trekkers is at Lobuche Base Camp. Today, they took an acclimatization hike to Lobuche High Camp before returning to Base Camp for the evening.
And finally, our 30-Day Speed Ascender, Rick, is moving up from Pheriche and will be at Everest Base Camp in the coming days.
Below are a few shots from CTSS’s Cinematographer Griffin Kerwin, who has truly captured the spirit of the Khumbu and Everest in his photos.
Everest Rotations Have Begun
Updates from the Khumbu Valley, Nepal:
Everest rotations are underway! Our Western Guided team has ascended to Camp 1 today, and they plan to tag Camp 2 tomorrow. Our private climbers, including our 40-day and 30-day speed ascenders, will start taking their rotations shortly. Many of our private climbers are on a schedule similar to our Westerner Guided team, while others have just arrived at Everest Base Camp to begin skills sessions and acclimatization.
As we mentioned last week, our 3 Peaks team made a strong effort on Island Peak but turned back below the summit. It was a beautiful morning for a climb, and lots of fun was had. Check out the images from CTSS Guides Porter and Phunjo:
Our second team of Everest Base Camp trekkers are now in Lobuche Base Camp. They will join our climbers at Everest Base Camp in just a few short days for their two-night stay at a beginner-friendly climbing clinic.
Our first Everest Base Camp trekking team has safely landed back in Kathmandu with memories to last a lifetime. Thank you to guide Kat and the amazing team for such an incredible journey.
Here are a few more images from CTSS Guide Kat and Josh from their treks to Everest Base Camp:
Finally, we will wrap things up with a few more images and thoughts from last week’s Puja ceremony courtesy of Tendi Sherpa.
“We held a beautiful Puja ceremony at Everest Base Camp, seeking the blessings and permission of the Mother Goddess (Mount Everest) for a safe and successful journey on the mountain.
This season, I have the privilege of guiding young Emma alongside her father, Sam, with the support of my colleague, Fred! Over the coming days, our focus will be on training on ladder crossings and fixed line techniques, and preparing for our first rotation to the higher camps. Grateful for this opportunity and looking forward to the challenges ahead.”
To all of our guides, Sherpas, climbers, and trekkers, we echo Tendi’s appreciation–we are grateful for all of you!
Updates from Island Peak
Here’s the latest from our teams in the Himalayas:
Our climbers at Everest Base Camp have been busy. Many took a short trek to Pumori High Camp to support their acclimatization, and they were rewarded with stunning views of Everest and Lhotse. Emma Schwerin, one of our private climbers, shared a few photos below:
In addition, today, all of our climbers, guides, and Sherpas took part in a traditional Puja ceremony. We were joined by several high lamas who traveled from far and wide to bless our expedition teams before they make their way to the upper mountain. This ceremony is a Tibetan Buddhist ritual that is part of Sherpa life. The purpose is to ask the mountain deity for safe passage and, of course, to celebrate.
Here are a few photos from the CTSS archives of past Puja ceremonies at Everest Base Camp:
Our 3 Peaks team checked in from Island Peak after making the call to turn around at the headwall, which is one of the many technical sections during this climb. The conditions were outside of the safety margin to continue forward, and our teams ultimately made the right decision. All climbers are back in Chukkung and happily resting.
At CTSS, our priorities are (and will always be) safety and success–in that order. You can trust us to deploy the best, most experienced, and respected mountain leaders in the world, use top-of-the-line equipment, not skimp on costs, make wise decisions in your best interest, and go above and beyond to stack the odds in your favor.
On the trail below Everest Base Camp, our 40-day Speed Ascent team is hanging tight at Lobuche Base Camp. They took a quick jaunt to Lobuche High Camp and will continue to assess the conditions. Our second team of Everest Base Camp trekkers took a rest and acclimatization day in Tengboche. CTSS Guide Josh McDowell shared a few photos of the glorious morning they woke up to and their visit to the Tengboche Monastery. Tomorrow, they will move to Pheriche.
The Bouka family successfully landed in Pheriche today and are ready to continue their acclimatization as they make their way to Everest Base Camp.
Farthest down the Khumbu Valley, our first team of Everest Base Camp trekkers are in Namche, and tomorrow, they will catch their flight from Lukla to Kathmandu.
Teams Settle Into Life at Everest Base Camp
Most of our teams are now at Everest Base Camp, settling in and enjoying the spoils of our luxury setup. We are loving this shot from our Everest Base Camp chef, Emma Lawrenson, who shared, “sun’s out, gun’s out at Base Camp today,” plus a few shots of the tasty treats she’s been whipping up.
Thank you to CTSS Guide Robert and Chef Emma for sharing these photos:
As teams continue to hone their skills and find time to relax and acclimatize, the Icefall Doctors have been busy on the upper mountain. They’ve fixed the route to Camp 2, and our Sherpa team has started stocking the upper mountain with supplies.
With the upper mountain opening up soon, our staff at Everest Base Camp are preparing for our second Puja ceremony of the season. This rite of passage is an essential component of all our Everest expeditions, providing an opportunity for our climbers, guides, Sherpas, and staff to ask the mountain deity, Sagamartha, for safe passage.
Thank you to Tendi Sherpa for sharing these shots of the Puja table:
Outside of Everest Base Camp, our 3 Peaks team checked in from Island Peak Base Camp. They are eyeing a summit bid today with a 1am wake-up call. We will keep you posted on their progress as they assess the conditions.
And our Everest Base Camp trekkers are on the move today. Our first team made their way back down the Khumbu Valley, arriving in Pheriche, while some trekkers took a pre-arranged helicopter ride all the way to Lukla. Our second team is in Tengboche, and tomorrow, they will rest and visit the famed Tengboche Monastery.
Finally, the Bouka family has arrived in Kathmandu and will fly first thing tomorrow morning to Pheriche, having acclimatized in Ecuador.
Photos below courtesy of CTSS Guides Josh and Robert. Josh is with our second Everest Base Camp team of trekkers, and Robert is working with one of our private climbers.
3 Peaks Team Eyeing Island Peak
Our 3 Peaks team, led by Porter Crockard and Phunjo Lama, checked in today from Chukkung. With snow continuing to blanket the region, they opted not to take Kongma La Pass and will arrive at Island Peak Base Camp within the next day. As they settle into Base Camp, the team will assess their summit attempt window. Porter shared that all their energy is focused on Island Peak for now. More on Polkade after this push.
Thank you to Porter for sharing these photos with our team:
The summit of Lobuche is still out of condition, which means all of our private climbers, the Kirby family, and our Lobuche team have made their way to Everest Base Camp. However, the window on Lobuche is not closed, as our 40-day Speed Ascent team is currently staying in place at Lobuche Base Camp in hopes of the mountain granting passages.
Otherwise, our Western Guided team is doing well at Everest Base Camp with ample time for training and skill practice in the lower part of the Khumbu Icefall. They are joined by our first team of Everest Base Camp trekkers, who also had the opportunity to take part in a beginner-friendly climbing clinic to get a little taste of what it feels like to be an Everest climber.
Bringing up the tail end of this wave, our second team of Everest Base Camp trekkers are making their way up the Khumbu Valley in grand style. Guide Josh McDowell shared a few shots of the team enjoying Namche, which are below.
Our final wave of trekkers and climbers are just starting to arrive in Kathmandu. This includes the Bouka family as well as our 30 Day Speed Ascent and Lhotse climbers. Tomorrow, the Bouka family will gather for gear checks, a guide briefing, before flying into the Khumbu valley.
Beyond Everest Base Camp: Ethan’s Mission to Give Back
Beyond Everest Base Camp: Ethan’s Mission to Give Back
At just 15 years old, Ethan Ong did more than trek to Everest Base Camp—he made a powerful impact before even stepping foot on the trail. Ahead of his Rugged Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek and Stay, Ethan raised over $9,200 USD for the Tendi Sherpa Foundation, showing that generosity and purpose have no age limit.
Instead of just focusing on the adventure ahead, Ethan made a deliberate choice to give back to the communities that make journeys like his possible. His donation helps support the health, education, and livelihoods of Sherpa families across Nepal—and it speaks volumes about the kind of trekker he’s becoming.
Tell us about your experience on the Everest Base Camp trek. Why did you choose this adventure, and what has been your favorite moment?
The Everest Base Camp trek is a wonderful adventure. It’s been an amazing experience trekking through the foothills of the Himalayas – a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I chose this adventure to bond with my awesome dad, who really wanted to come to Nepal together.
My favorite moment was an acclimatization hike to the summit of Awi Peak (5,527 meters/17,149 feet).
Editor’s Note: Awi Peak is a lesser-known but stunning trekking peak in the Khumbu region of Nepal. Our Everest Base Camp trekkers sometimes step off the main trail to summit this gem under the guidance of Big Tendi, the Technical Director of the Nepal National Mountain Guide Association, who has been guiding and climbing in the Khumbu for over 30 years. The payoff? Unbeatable views of Himalayan icons like Ama Dablam, Everest, and Lhotse—without the crowds. It’s also a fantastic way to acclimatize and build confidence at higher altitudes, all in a wilder, more peaceful setting.
Why did you want to raise money to benefit the Nepalese people as part of your adventure? What do you hope will be achieved with those funds?
As someone born into a very fortunate family, I wanted to give back to the local community [in Nepal]. Trekking through the different unique villages, you can get a clear glimpse of the lives in the community, many of whom live in a lower economic [situation].
I found out that many families have lost their [primary] breadwinner to the unforgiving conditions of the Himalayas. Children are left with [limited] access to quality education, living in unsafe environments (e.g., an open flame used for cooking indoors), and are forced to take up potentially dangerous vocations to help support their families.
I had the great privilege of meeting Tendi Sherpa during my trek. His passion for giving back to the community was a source of great inspiration. With these funds, I hope that many Sherpa children and their families can live in safer conditions, [pursuing] education, and breaking free from the poverty cycle.
Our team had the opportunity to connect directly with Tendi Sherpa to gain insight into how the funds from Ethan will be utilized. Here’s what Tendi shared with us:
The funds will be used to purchase smokeless ovens in a remote village. To date, we have supported 250 households with smokeless ovens, and still, more villages have requested the ovens. People have open-fire kitchens in their homes, and most of the houses are filled with dense smoke that leads to huge health issues for the families, and the oven makes a huge difference.
Ethan’s funds will also go into the scholarship program that supports the students who have lost their fathers due to mountaineering. I started this program in January 2025, and we have selected nine students, but we will increase as more support is needed.
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.
Happy Nepali New Year from Everest Base Camp and the Khumbu
Happy Nepali New Year 2082 from the Khumbu Valley and Everest Base Camp! After a few days of snow (and rain down low), the skies have cleared for the New Year, and the celebrations are in full swing. Here are today’s updates from our teams:
Our Western Guided and 3 Peaks teams spent the day at Everest Base Camp, training on the lower part of the Khumbu Glacier. Our 3 Peaks team will keep their visit to our luxury Everest Base Camp brief as they soon set their eyes on their next objective, Pokalde (19,048ft/5,806m).
Today, our private climbers and Everest Base Camp trekkers from team one arrived at Everest Base Camp and started enjoying the little luxuries at camp. We believe that things like nutritious and delicious food, along with comfortable accommodations, can make or break any expedition. This idea is part of our Marginal Gains Philosophy and a cornerstone of CTSS.
Our second team of Everest Base Camp trekkers arrived in Namache today. Below are a few photos from the team courtesy of CTSS Program Manager Dani Kluberton, who is on the trek with the team.
And finally, our 40-Day Speed Ascent team enjoyed a rest day in Pheriche and will be moving to Lobuche Base Camp tomorrow. We will update the conditions on Lobuche once they are available, but we are welcoming the good weather with open arms.
Photos below courtesy of Josh McDowell, Kat Schaumburg, Jangbu Sherpa
Everest Imagery Package
Everest Imagery Package
$14,995 USD per person
For years, having professional imagery and footage captured on an Everest expedition has been cost-prohibitive. Climbers had to buy another seat on the expedition just for their photography team–paying an average of $1,000 USD per day for a high-altitude photographer/cinematographer—plus cover the costs of all post-production and editing. This totals up to a minimum cost of about $120,000 USD once you consider all the associated filming costs, permits, equipment, editing, etc.
Climbing the Seven Summits understands how much it means to our climbers to have high-quality photos and videos of their climbs, and that’s why we’ve been working to lower the barrier to entry to get these great shots. We are proud to offer a new add-on for our Everest climbers: the opportunity to engage the CTSS staff photographer/videographer, who will accompany our teams from base camp to Camp 2 on Mount Everest.
This staff photographer/cinematographer will be tasked with capturing beautiful still and moving imagery of participating individual climbers, doing 1:1 interviews, documenting the journey, and capturing the overall spirit of the expedition.
Please note that this service extends only as far as Camp 2. Beyond Camp 2, we encourage you to bring a GoPro/phone camera, etc., to continue documenting your journey to the summit.
Following the expedition, we will deliver a package of edited high-resolution photographs, as well as edit the footage into a personalized 3-5 minute film of your expedition, as precious keepsakes to send to friends and family, post on social media, and frame.
For the film, we will use the footage our cinematographer captures, along with your 1:1 interview and any footage you submit to a collective media library for inclusion in the edit.
Our expeditions are designed to be fully inclusive, except for some services/items of a personal nature, like flights, gear, and insurance. Here’s a detailed list so you know what to expect.
Included:
- Opportunity to engage with CTSS’s staff photographer/videographer
- Collection of professional photographs from the expedition
- 5+ still portraits and hero photographs of you in action
- 20-minute 1:1 interview at base camp (suggested questions will be provided, but you are welcome to add your own)
- 3-5 minute personalized video unique to you, edited from footage our team cinematographer has captured of you, your 1:1 interview, and footage you and other participating climbers submit to the media library
Excluded:
- Video edit requests. You can request these at delivery, and they will be charged per edit, with a maximum of 3 edit rounds
- Rushes (raw footage) delivery
Important note: Given the collective nature of this project, CTSS will retain the copyright of images and footage generated by the staff photographer/cinematographer but will grant usage rights.
All prices are in US dollars. All payments, once submitted, are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Due to the unique nature of filming and other unpredictable circumstances (e.g., poor weather, an early departure due to illness, etc.), guarantees beyond best efforts cannot be made as to the inclusions, quality, or quantity of the final content.
Photos Courtesy of Guy Williment
Climbing Teams Arrive at Everest Base Camp
Our Western Guided and 3 Peaks teams are at Everest Base Camp tonight with a fresh dusting of snow. Over the weekend, these teams moved from Lobuche High Camp to Everest Base Camp after deciding that the conditions above Lobuche High Camp were beyond our risk margin with a few inches of snow that quickly turned the rock slabs into an ice rink.
Everyone was in high spirits and understood that the harsh conditions weren’t worth the risk of injury, given that the benefits of acclimatization at Lobuche High Camp were our primary goal; everyone was content to mitigate that risk and head to Everest Base Camp a day early.
Our first Everest Base Camp trekking team, under Kat Schaumberg’s guidance, is at Gorakshep, which is the last village outpost on the entire trail to Everest Base Camp. Tomorrow, they will arrive at Everest Base Camp, and all are excited to reach their goal. Over the last few days, they’ve been navigating the glacial moraine in misty weather with our Sherpa guides, who know the route like the back of their hands. When the weather is socked in, it’s easy to make a wrong turn in a world of grey and white!
The Kirby family is enjoying the views at Lobuche High Camp; they will assess the conditions above High Camp tomorrow.
Our private climbers are at Lobuche Base Camp tonight and will move to Everest Base Camp tomorrow, where Chef Emma is waiting with some seriously good food–think savory pastries with fresh parmesan, truffle, and mixed mushrooms–yum!
Lower down the valley, our 40-Day Speed Ascent team flew from Kathmandu to Pheriche, having acclimated at home in their Hypoxico Altitude Training Systems tents for the past 6-8 weeks. They will rest tomorrow before moving to Lobuche Base Camp.
Our second Everest Base Camp team of trekkers flew to Lukla yesterday and were welcomed by blooming rhododendron forests on their way to Phakding, which is one of the most scenic villages on the trek. Tomorrow, they will start uphill in earnest, tackling Namche Hill, all under the guidance of Josh McDowell.
Back in Kathmandu, we bid farewell to our final Rugged Luxury team, who all reached Everest Base Camp in style. They enjoyed a city tour of the best UNESCO World Heritage sites, massages to reward tired muscles, and a 15-course degustation dinner at the famous Dwarikas. Thank you for joining us for a rugged, once-in-a-lifetime adventure!
