...ZZZzz at Camp 1...
The team are back safely at Base Camp resting after their first successful rotation up the mountain.
They slept soundly at Camp 1 and reported climbing strong and feeling great. They had spectacular weather, picking it perfectly before the rain settled in at Base Camp upon their return, so it's a good opportunity to rest and recover eat some of Chef Kumar's delicious food.
The plan is to start their second rotation tomorrow if the rain eases (or take another rest day)
Their second rotation will see them back to Camp 1, then moving beyond to at least to Camp 2, possibly even Camp 3. They will spend 3x nights up high before dropping back down again.
Cheers
CTSS Team
...Puja & Progress on Manaslu...
Our team at Manaslu is moving up.
They held their Puja (blessing ceremony) as planned on the 12th September. A Tibetan Buddhist ritual, the purpose of the Puja is to ask the mountain deity for safe passage. Following the Puja, the team can begin their climb and in celebration made a foray halfway up to Camp 1 to acclimatise and further stretch the legs.
Today they are heading up to 6000m and taking advantage of this nice little weather window we have 13th & 14th by sleeping at Camp 1 before dropping back down to Base Camp tomorrow.
The route to Camp 1 traverses a fairly gradual glacier with a steeper section just below camp, perched on a ridge at the foot of where the real climbing begins in earnest.
Their plan is to rest for at least a day or two back down at Base Camp before progressing again up the mountain.
All safe and well on Manaslu.
Cheers
CTSS Team
...Manaslu Base Camp...
The last leg of the trek is here - The scenic bounce up to Base Camp. The team are leaving Sama village now on their way. They are in good shape and feeling positive.
Today the trail begins in forest, before a steep ascent up to the moraine. Their effort is rewarded with magnificent views of the glacier, the turquoise lake, Manaslu and the surrounding peaks from all sides.
The trek is approximately 4-5hours.
They will hold their Puja on the 12th of September and if the weather permits, they will start climbing from the 13th!
...Samaguan...
The trek is nearly complete with the team now resting in Samaguan. (aka Sama village) Samagaun (4,300m - approx 11,500ft) is the jumping off point to Base Camp and the last outpost. Stunning, it is surrounded by beautiful vistas of the Himalaya.
With some rest and acclimatization for 2days, the team will now ascend to Base Camp. A solid day up to 4,800m (15,750ft). For the struggle they are rewarded with beautiful views of the Birendra Taal glacial lake.
From there, the real climbing begins!
...The Trail to Manaslu...
Our Manaslu team have well and truly begun their trek to the mountain yesterday reaching Goa. Today they are hiking to Bimthang which is the last village before Larkya La which is one of the longest passes in Himalaya and a great opportunity to acclimatize as the team will hit 5,106m.
Guide Tendi reported that they've enjoyed some really nice weather so far and enjoyed trekking through the villages and visiting a few monastries. Yesterday they recieved a precious blessing from a monk who spent 6 years in retreat in a small monastery in the village.
Cheers
CTSS Team
...Manaslu Team on the Move...
The CTSS Manaslu Team is now cleared to leave Kathmandu, negative PCRs and permits in hand and they are on the road to Beshisahar. Tomorrow they will take a jeep out to Dharapani and then start their hike into the mountain.
It feels good to be officially underway and enroute to the mountain.
Cheers
CTSS Team
...Manaslu Team Arrives in Kathmandu...
The fall climbing season in Nepal has arrived with our Manaslu team flying into Kathmandu over the past few days. Lead Guide Tendi Sherpa reports
All team CTSS Manaslu-2021 are safely arrived in Kathmandu today and we went through the gear check and the climbing briefing. Despite the jet lag all members are super motivated for the expedition and so are the Nepali staffs and guides.
We will be in Kathmandu for next few days and then will be trekking towards the Mount Manaslu base camp via Larke Pass, 5200m.
All our staffs have completed their last packing and they will leave soon to the base camp to starting setting up camps before the members reach there.
Best of luck to the team as they settle in and finish the last preparations before their climb!
Cheers,
CTSS Team
...Summits and Smoke on Baker...
Wrapping up an awesome 5 days with a bit of everything, rain, sun & now some smoke from the wildfires as our team finishes their successful 5 Day Alpine Academy with us.
Late in the season the route was challenging with more crevasse crossings and end runs than usual. They climbed Roman headwall well with two pieces of running pro and some scree walking at the top.
Everyone did really well with 100% on top!
After the summit they dropped back, had an early night and this morning did a small bit of final training before packing down camp and heading back to the trailhead just as the smoke was settling in.
Thanks everyone for a great season on Baker!
...Blue Skies on Baker...
Sunny and warm for our Baker team today. They took a walk towards the Squak Glacier and spent the day training anchors, crevasse rescue and fixed line ascent and descent.
Tomorrow is summit day, an alpine start - waking up at 2am, climbing through the night, summiting in the early morning and due back in camp early afternoon.
Team is strong and route looking good.
Cheers
CTSS TEAM
...Baker in the Clouds...
Our Baker team are well underway.
Yesterday they climbed from the trailhead at Schreiber's Meadow up to High Camp which is approximately 5,500ft on the edge of the Easton Glacier. They had consistent light rain the whole way and rolled into camp in 3.5 hours before doing a workshop on knots and getting an early night.
The weather cleared as per the forecast overnight and looks much better for the rest of the week. Still lots of cloud but patches of blue sky.
Today they spent a full day training and mastering new skills, hitting efficient cramponing, ice axe arrest, rope travel, running belay, knots and hitches and each team member finished by setting up a 3 person glacier rope team start to finish.
Tomorrow they'll head out across the Easton Glacier for a glacier walk and then train crevasse rescue and climbing fixed lines.
A big shout out and congratulations to Larry who summited Baker with Robert last week too!
Cheers
CTSS Team
