...Cotopaxi Summits...
First summits for our Ecuador team are in the bag! Congratulations team!
An alpine start under starry skies saw them leave the Refuge (mountain hut0 well before dawn with clear views down to twinkling lights of Quito below. They enjoyed great conditions with firm snow and summited at just after 7am local time. (19,347ft/5,897m) Perfect weather throughout the day and back to the Refuge in time for breakfast before packing up and hiking down trail to meet the bus.
They headed to the stunning Hacienda la Cienega for a hot shower and a well deserved rest. The Hacienda is one of the oldest colonial haciendas in Ecuador, with more than 400 years of antiquity. With walls made of volcanic stone that are two metres thick!
They are now headed to Cayambe where they will be out of range for another couple of days. They will continue their acclimatization before their summit bid on their second Ecuadorian volcano.
Cheers
CTSS Team
...Training on Cotopaxi....
A great day of training and acclimatizing for the team in Ecuador today on Cotopaxi.
They hiked up to the Refuge (mountain hut) at 15,800ft and dropped off a load of gear ready for their move up tomorrow before heading higher (16,200ft) to do their training. A full snow school that covered ice axe, self arrest, cramponing, rope travel. A beautiful day with good snow conditions.
They are safely back at Tambopaxi Lodge now for the evening. Tomorrow a more relaxed start with a free morning preparing for the climb ahead before moving up and settling in to the Refuge with their summit bid scheduled with an alpine start the following day.
Weather is looking better and better for the next few days!
Cheers
CTSS Team
...Gaining Altitude in Ecuador...
Guide Robert called in to let us know that the Ecuador team is strong and in good spirits. Today the team took a long acclimatization hike on Ruminahui up to 14,500ft before turning with some thunder rolling in. They moved to Tambopaxi Lodge which is the perfect staging ground for their first volcano Cotopaxi.
Tomorrow then team will do a full snow school at about 16,000ft to brush off their mountaineering and safety skills before returning to the lodge for another night. Weather is holding strong.
Cheers
CTSS Team
...Ecuador Team at the Equator...
Our Ecuador Volcanoes team have arrived in Quito smoothly and are all settled in. Guide Robert let us know that they completed all their gear checks (with flying colors) and their team briefing this morning before heading to the Teleferique and doing a hike on Pichincha and visiting the Equator. They saw out a full first day with an Ecuadorian feast at our welcome dinner. Weather was beautiful today - fingers crossed it continues.
Tomorrow they head to Ruminahui for an acclimatization hike before hitting their first volcano - Cotopaxi!
Here's some photos from the team.
...In Tribute to Brent Seal...
We are deeply saddened to acknowledge the tragic passing of valued Manaslu team member and experienced mountaineer Brent Seal (37) from Langley, British Columbia, Canada.
Brent passed away at 7,885m on the morning of the 28th September 2021.
Brent climbed strongly throughout the summit bid and the entire expedition. He was in good spirits, eating, drinking and talking with his Guide prior to a sudden collapse during a rest stop. Emergency first aid & CPR was administered at the scene but was unsuccessful.
Brent was a quintessential and highly experienced climber who had been mountaineering since he was young. Brent successfully climbed several of the world’s highest and most challenging peaks including Aconcagua (2016), Denali (2016), and Pico de Orizaba (2019). He also conquered many peaks closer to home and especially loved climbing throughout the Squamish region. A true gentleman, he was one of the most enthusiastic, humble, kind and prepared teammates we've ever had the pleasure of climbing with. He founded Mavrixx, a Vancouver based organization that focused on redefining mental health by providing education and workshops to promote optimism in the face of struggles and setbacks. He dedicated his life to supporting people with mental health challenges and by sharing his lived experiences, inspired them to take control of their mental health and wellness, and live great lives.
We are proud to have had him as part of our team and are deeply saddened and shocked by his passing.
Our focus is in supporting his loved ones during this unimaginably difficult time and we ask for your assistance in this by respecting their privacy.
CTSS Team & Seal Family.
...Cruising to Camp 4 on Manaslu...
The team just called in with great reports of a strong and straightforward climb up to Camp 4! They are now in position for their summit.
Guide Tendi said the team climbed extremely well in approx. 5hrs up to High Camp with nice clear skies this afternoon.
They are now bedding down for some well deserved rest before heading up toward the summit later tonight. They plan to leave camp around 1am.
Nice and clear weather right now, with more of the same in the forecast, a bit of moisture in the air tomorrow but low winds.
Go Team! Goodluck!
Cheers
CTSS Team
...Manaslu Camp 3...
The team just called in from Camp 3 on a beautiful morning on Manaslu.
They had some snow down low yesterday but a clear, starry night at Camp 3 last night. A few scattered clouds this morning but those should clear into another beautiful day for their climb to Camp 4. They'll give us another call from Camp 4 this afternoon.
Guide Tendi reported that the team slept really well, no headaches so they are acclimated well and they are strong.
Cheers
CTSS Team
...Manaslu Team to Camp 2...
Quick update today with the team focused on their climb. They are safely into Camp 2 taking advantage of this clear weather. Tomorrow they'll head up to Camp 3 and check in from there.
Weather is still holding beautifully for the summit in a few days and they're climbing strong and feeling good.
...The Summit Begins on Manaslu...
After two great rotations and some well deserved rest our Manaslu team are rolling out of Base Camp today for their summit bid (approximately 4 days up/1 day descent)
The lines are fixed to the summit and there is a very good weather window coming our way, low winds and high pressure boding well for the team, of course we'll continue to monitor it closely and adjust in real time as needed.
Today they will head to Camp 1 and tomorrow up to Camp 2.
As with all summit bids, it's helpful to keep in mind that no news is actually good news, it just means our team are head down and focused on climbing this spectacular Himalayan gem.
Cheers
CTSS Team
...Basecamp Bliss...
The Manaslu team are chilling at Base Camp recovering and resting and planning their summit bid, living in relative luxury between their dining dome and hang out dome with our Everest chef Kumar whipping up some great meals.
They'll be watching the weather forecast intently now with the long term forecast looking positive. A little precipitation at lower altitudes but overall shaping up for an ideal summit window with low winds and clear skies on the horizon.
Cheers
CTSS Team
