...An Auspicious Day...
Today the whole CTSS Team including our Western Guided Climbers, our Private Climbers and Sherpa Guided Climbers are coming together for the Puja ceremony.
A “Puja” is a blessing ceremony, the purpose of which is to ask the mountain deity for safe passage and of course to celebrate. It takes place on an auspicious day according to the Tibetan calendar and is traditionally undertaken before our climbing begins. Several high lama’s have traveled great distances to come to our camp to bless our expedition before we tackle the upper mountain.Â
The lamas will chant for several hours, bless everyone's climbing equipment and of course offer lots of good food! As a celebration, there will be traditional Sherpa dancing, locking arms and forming a semi circle in front of the Puja alter.
The culmination of the ceremony is raising the Puja pole in the of the alter and stringing prayer flags over our camp, building a zone of protection for the team. When the flags blow in the wind it is thought by the Sherpa that they send out prayers. This has become a common part of any Everest and Lhotse expedition and the Sherpa, who draw no distinction between their daily lives and their Tibetan Buddhism, appreciate and welcome us in this ritual.
We will share some photos will you in the next blog, but here are some from the past to give you an idea.
Our climbing teams have been busy with technical training and acclimatization hikes, meanwhile our trekkers have started their descent back down valley yesterday and will be reaching Namche today (they had a great few days in Base Camp trying their hand at iceclimbing in the Khumbu Glacier) and our Speed Ascenders are getting ready to fly to Nepal to join the team!Â
Cheers
CTSS Team
...Lobuche, that's a wrap...
A quick update;
Our Sherpa Guided Teams are all safely back at Lobuche Base Camp.
Unfortunately, weather conditions weren't in their favour with heavy snowfall (it's still snowing currently) so they made the call to descend. The goal of Lobuche on an Everest Expedition is the acclimatization not just the summit, so spirits are high with the objective achieved. They'll pack up and shift up into Everest Base Camp to join the broader CTSS Team in the morning which will bring a wrap to our Lobuche climbing for the season.
Meanwhile at Everest Base Camp - our Western Guided Team & Private Guided Teams are enjoying some downtime, some training and preparation for the weeks ahead.
Cheers
CTSS Team
... Lobuche Summit, Training at EBC...
Our Western Guided Team has settled nicely into Everest Basecamp, after a day of rest they've started their training cycle, refreshing skills and dialing in they're systems for the climb ahead. Under the expert eye of our guides this team is refreshing their fixed rope, rappel, and rescue techniques. It's great to crampon up and get some time on the ice after a long trek in!
CTSS' Private Guided Teams rolled into Everest basecamp yesterday and are relaxing in the luxury of our big tent, espresso maker and all! After a great climb of Lobuche we're excited to get these climbers set up for the main event.
Our Sherpa Guided Teams are on their way to the summit of Lobuche today, good luck team! Once they've wrapped up on Lobuche it's a short trek to Everest Basecamp and they'll have wrapped up the approach.
Soon all teams will be together in Everest Basecamp, our Puja ceremony is planned for the 18th, then it's all about the big E. The climbing begins in earnest soon, we can't wait!
Cheers,
CTSS Team
... Wrapping up Lobuche, on to EBC...
Our Sherpa Guided Team is high on Lobuche today working on their summit bid. This is our last wave of climbers for the season on Lobuche, they've got great weather for their summit bid and we're wishing them the best of luck!
Our Western Guided Team rolled into Everest Basecamp yesterday, and our Private team will be rolling into EBC later today. They'll start getting settled into their new homes and take advantage of a few days rest after the trek and climb of Lobuche. After being on the move and living out of teahouses the whole trek, having a spot to call your own is a welcome change!
In a few more days the Sherpa Guided Team will roll into EBC as well, marking the first time the whole team is together in one place. Lots of work left to be done before the summit, but the first phase of getting to basecamp is almost done! We love getting all the teams together after being split up for over a week trekking into EBC, the camaraderie that comes from being part of our Everest climbs is one of our favorite experiences.
Cheers,
CTSS Team
...A look at Lobuche...
Some lovely photos to share with you from Guide Ossy of our Private Teams ascent of Lobuche. (Amazing to get some through as the internet has been patchy as of late)
It's a very dry year and strong winds challenged the Western Guided Team, so it's wonderful to see all of our Private climbers topping out in perfect weather.
They are back at Lobuche Base Camp now and will head into EBC tomorrow.
Our Sherpa Supported Team will move up to Lobuche High Camp ready for their summit bid and following that they will also move to EBC where all the teams under the CTSS banner will unite.
Cheers
CTSS Team
...First Team moves Out, Last Team up on Lobuche...
Our Western Guided Team have arrived safely to their new 'Home Away From Home' - the CTSS Everest Base Camp. Strong winds prevented their Lobuche summits but the purpose of the climb was still achieved with their acclimatization so everyone in great spirits. They reached EBC in time for lunch and spent the afternoon moving in.
Our Private Teams and Sherpa Guided Teams are high on Lobuche today so they are quiet on the comms front as they focus on their climb. The Private teams are making their summit attempt, and the Sherpa guided teams are moving into place for theirs. We're looking forward to news of success soon!
Cheers
CTSS Team
...High Above Pheriche...
Hello everyone!!
We're rolling through the Khumbu in style at the moment, enjoying all the fantastic clear skies.
As you know The Western Guided Team are a bit quiet as they are unplugged high on Lobuche, yesterday they checked out the lower Lobuche climbing route (above High Camp) and weather permitting they'll be climbing right now to stand on top of their first objective - Lobuche East. You can check out the Lobuche climb here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WTTGuUGT7A&list=PLMz_kRmPTvqWaiXsJ-OVFw-ViMzHAzyjW
We'll bring you more news soon. Tonight they'll be dropping to Base Camp and tomorrow set off towards EBC!
Our Private Guided Team and Trekkers acclimatized above Lobuche Base Camp reaching a new high point and did a skills training clinic after lunch, they'll head up to begin their stay at High Camp today. They'll swap out with our Western Guided Team and no doubt get a little fresh beta on the climb. Conditions on Lobuche this season are dry which makes the ascent more challenging but the blue skies are making up for it. A few more days of acclimatization and then they'll tag the summit.
Our Personal Sherpa Team is moving up from Pheriche today after a stunning acclimatization hike yesterday high above Pheriche. You can expect them to now be out of touch for about 4-5 days as they follow the same schedule as the earlier teams.
Lobuche Base Camp looks a bit different than years past with our new, insulated geodesic dome keeping everyone toasty and extra comfy.
Cheers
CTSS Team
...2/3rds to Lobuche...
A quick update today as more of the team reach their first objective, Lobuche East.
Our Western Guided Team moved up to High Camp ready to tackle the peak in coming days. They're likely to continue to acclimastise tomorrow with a rest day and some briefings/light training before falling out in the wee hours of the next day for their summit bid, weather permitting. Those of you with loved ones on this team have probably been suffering with a bit of radio silence, but all is well, they're just out of range, delighting in being unplugged and waking up to the most beautiful views in the world!
Our Private Guided Team is hot on their heels, setting off from Pheriche and arriving into Lobuche Base Camp today, they'll take a rest tomorrow, with a light hike to High Camp, maybe waving hello to their compatriots in the Western Guided Team before doing some training and enjoying the excitement of breaking out their climbing gear. Just like the Western Guided team they may now be a little quieter as they go out of range so you can expect that you won't hear from them for a good few days as they focus on their first ascent of the expedition.
Our Sherpa Guided Team moved up this morning from Debouche to Pheriche and will do their acclimatization hike tomorrow.
CTSS Teams moving strongly as we get higher into the Himalaya!
...The Haze Clears...
The views are truly epic as the haze from the forest fires dissipates and the teams are spoilt with fantastic weather.
Our Western Guided Team will have tagged Lobuche High Camp today to reach a new high point before returning back to Lobuche Base Camp for some additional training and a shakeout of their skills. They'll be cosy in the insulated dome for dinner! Tomorrow they will move up to Lobuche High Camp and continue to acclimatise. Your loved ones might be a bit out of touch during this time but rest assured "no news is good news" and soon they'll be rolling on up toward EBC, first summit under their belts and spamming you with stunning images and stories from their few days on Lobuche. From the summit they'll be checking out their next objective.. Everest & for some Lhotse too!
The Private Expedition and trekking team is close behind in Pheriche. Today they did an acclimatization hike high above the village along the ridgeline, hitting 5000m which offers spectacular scenery. Some of the best views of Ama Dablam. Tomorrow they will move on to Lobuche Base Camp ready to strap on their crampons.
CTSS' Private Sherpa and IFMGA Sherpa Guided Team remained in Deboche with an acclimatization/rest day. A hike up to 4000m and a Puja at Tengboche Monastery with the High Lamas to ask for safe climbing. Tomorrow they will move up to Pheriche.
Everything is moving smoothly in Nepal, we're excited to be moving smoothly up and up...
Cheers,
CTSS Team
... Lobuche, Pheriche, Deboche ...
Our Western Guided Team rolled into Lobuche Basecamp today! Greeted with tents already set up and a spacious group dome tent they're settling in nicely. This team will climb Lobuche over the next 4-5 days before continuing on to Everest Basecamp. Good luck and good climbing team!
The Private Expedition and trekking team is close behind reaching Pheriche today. On their way to Pheriche, they stopped at the Pangboche monastery for a special Puja ceremony. Tomorrow is a rest day with a short acclimatization hike. This team is moving strong!
CTSS' Private Sherpa and IFMGA Sherpa Guided Team moved up to Deboche today. Tomorrow they will hike up to the Tengboche Monastery for a traditional blessing.
Everything is moving smoothly in Nepal, we're excited to be moving into Everest Basecamp soon!
Cheers,
CTSS Team
