...Off to the Top of Aus...
Our Aussie Alpine x Kozi Combo climbing team are having a fantastic time in the backcountry.
Yesterday they did a full mountaineering snow school. They started by quarrying snow blocks for wind walls around camp, then moved into the skills with cramponing, self arrest training, fixed line ascension and ended with a knots clinic.
Today they are heading for the summit of Australia and if time permits they will do crevasse rescue clinic this afternoon at camp.
Tomorrow, they will break camp and make their way back to Guthega slipping out of the Park hopefully before the worst of this new weather arrives.
Very happy campers up in the hills.
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 two-month expedition such as this. If you would like a single rooming option please let us know. Please note that tent accommodations at Lobuche high camp and above Everest base camp are double-occupancy.
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 with hot shower and more space, whereas our normal rooms generally have a shared bathroom and shower for an added fee. Please note, the single room option and tea house upgrade already comes with the “Everest Executive” option if you have chosen that add-on.
Deluxe Dropback Recovery Retreats
Deluxe Dropback Golf Retreat
$14,995 USD
3 Nights at Nepal’s world class, 5-star Golf Course
Single room (food and beverage not included)
Including helicopter flights onto the Golf Course
Included 1 round 18x holes of Golf per day (club hire not included)
Deluxe Dropback Spa Retreat
$14,995 USD
3 Nights at Nepal’s best 5-star hotel in a single room
Daily spa treatment specialising in Buddhist medicine and Ayurveda techniques
Single room (food and beverage not included)
Including helicopter flights to Kathmandu and hotel transfers
Deluxe Dropback Yeti Mountain Home Retreat
$6,995 USD
3 Nights at Lukla’s Yeti Mountain Home in a single room
Including helicopter flights to Lukla return to Base Camp
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 two long months on the mountain, the draw of civilisation, getting back to family and friends & enjoying that well-deserved beer can be irresistible.
We also have climbers who wish to drop down to lower altitudes part way through the expedition to supercharge their rest and recovery between rotations.
We have a number of options available for you:
One Way Helicopter from Base Camp to Lukla*
$3,000 USD
A helicopter from Everest base camp to Lukla avoids the three day, 40 mile 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.
*or Lukla back to Base Camp mid expedition
One Way Helicopter from Base Camp to Kathmandu*
$5,500 USD
For those that aren’t as price sensitive and who want to get back to Kathmandu and homeward bound as quickly as possible at the end of the expedition, we can arrange a helicopter for you directly from Everest Base Camp to Kathmandu.
*or Kathmandu back to Base Camp mid expedition
One Way Helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla*
$4000 USD
If the fixed plane schedule does not suit you or the notorious weather in Lukla permits helicopter flights but not fixed-wing departures, you may elect to take a helicopter from Lukla airport back to Kathmandu or vice versa.
IPlease note: If you would like to include a helicopter option in your expedition please let us know BEFORE your trip so we can pre-book your flight in advance and include this in your trip total. If you decide to add a helicopter flight during your expedition we cannot guarantee availability. Further arranging services from the mountain or at short notice attracts an additional service fee of $1000. All helicopter flights need to be paid in advance with no exceptions.
These options do not include Medical, Evacuation and Rescue helicopters which will be organized in liaison with your trip insurer in the event of an emergency – this is another reason why good coverage in your policy is essential.
Everest Family & Friends Options
We welcome you to invite friends and family to join you for all, or part of your Everest 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
Your friends and family are invited to join us:
Everest Base Camp Trek
$5,495 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.
The pinnacle of the CTSS EBC trek is Everest base camp proper at 17,600ft/ 5,500m where, being affiliated with an Everest climbing expedition, you are able to enter and spend 2x nights within Base Camp proper, something the vast majority of trekkers never experience. This allows you to get a sense of the Everest base camp scene and community and what goes into an Everest expedition. If you are feeling good you have the added option to scale Kala Pathar the morning you leave base camp for stunning views of the Everest Massif, Lhotse and Nuptse.
Additional Nights at Base Camp:
If friends and family want to stay at base camp longer than 2x night we can add additional nights for $350 per person, per night.
Staying at Base Camp throughout entire expedition:
If family and friends want to stay longer than a week we will need to put them on a Nuptse climbing permit which allows them to stay at base camp throughout the expedition. Please talk to us about this as it is no problem to organise and we often have people stay throughout the expedition as support.
Everest Base Camp Executive Luxury Trek & The Gokyo Extension are also available to family and friends.
This is a sample itinerary only. Your actual daily schedule/departure dates will depend on the Everest program your loved one has chosen and 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 to trek to Everest Base Camp. Our climb ends in Kathmandu where CTSS will cover one night accommodation. We recommend booking a flexible return airfare.
- Day 1 Team Arrives
- Day 2 KTM Day
- Day 3 Fly to Lukla/Phakding
- Day 4 Trek to Namche
- Day 5 Rest
- Day 6 Trek to Tengboche
- Day 7 Rest
- Day 8 Trek to Pheriche
- Day 9 Rest
- Day 10 Trek to Lobuche Base camp
- Day 11 Acclimatization Trek to Lobuche High Camp
- Day 12 Move to Lobuche High Camp (optional - family and friends are welcome to stay in the better equiped Base Camp if they prefer)
- Day 13 Rest Day
- Day 14 Climbers summit, family & friends rest day
- Day 15 Trek to EBC
- Day 16 Everest Climbing Clinic & Explore BC
- Day 17 Trek to Pheriche
- Day 18 Trek to Namche
- Day 19 Trek to Lukla
- Day 20 Fly Lukla to KTM
- Day 21 Fly Home
- Day 22 Contingency Day
Lobuche East Climb
$6,995 USD
If your family and friends are looking for a little more of a mountaineering experience they are welcome to join you on your acclimatisation climb of Lobuche Peak. Lobuche is a jewel of the Himalaya and arguably offers perhaps the best summit view in the world – taking in the Everest/Lhotse/Nuptse massif, Makalu, Pumori, Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu, Thamserku, and many others.
Lobuche is a good first Himalayan climb, with steep fixed-line climbing on rock, snow, and ice as well as excellent training for taller mountains such as Aconcagua, Ama Dablam, and Manaslu.
To consider an ascent of Lobuche, participants should be familiar with crampon and ice axe technique and have used a harness before. We will run a training refresher at Lobuche base camp before the ascent.
This is a sample itinerary only. Your actual daily schedule/departure dates will depend on the Everest program your loved one has chosen and 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 to trek to Lobuche. Our climb ends in Kathmandu where CTSS will cover one night accommodation. We recommend booking a flexible return airfare.
- Day 1 Team Arrives
- Day 2 KTM Day
- Day 3 Fly to Lukla/Phakding
- Day 4 Trek to Namche
- Day 5 Rest
- Day 6 Trek to Tengboche
- Day 7 Rest
- Day 8 Trek to Pheriche
- Day 9 Rest
- Day 10 Trek to Lobuche base camp
- Day 11 Trek to Lobuche High Camp
- Day 12 Move to Lobuche High Camp
- Day 13 Acclimatize
- Day 14 Summit and descend Lobuche BC
- Day 15 Trek to EBC
- Day 16 Everest Climbing Clinic & Explore BC
- Day 17 Trek to Pheriche
- Day 18 Trek to Namche
- Day 19 Trek to Lukla
- Day 20 Fly Lukla to KTM
- Day 21 Fly Home
- Day 22 Contingency Day
3 Peaks Climb & Trek
$9,995 USD
Mountaineering friends and family may also like to consider our 3-Peaks climb and trek which takes in three legendary peaks of the Khumbu: Lobuche East, Pokalde, and Island Peak – climbs which undoubtedly offer some of the best summit views in the world!
Starting alongside you on Lobuche, they will then accompany you into Everest base camp and enjoy 2 nights living the true Everest experience with the Everest summit team including partaking in our ice climbing clinic on the Khumbu Glacier.
Following their stay at EBC they will split off, trekking over to the remote Pokalde to begin ascending their second Himalayan peak.
Finally they cross into the famed Imja Tse valley for their final ascent of world famous Island Peak.
3-Peak ascent participants should be familiar with crampon and ice axe use. We will run a training refresher at Lobuche base camp before the ascent to dust off any cobwebs.
Itinerary:
This is a sample itinerary only. Your actual daily schedule/departure dates will depend on the Everest program your loved one has chosen and 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 to trek to the first peak Lobuche. Our climb ends in Kathmandu where CTSS will cover one night accommodation. We recommend booking a flexible return airfare.
- Apr 3 Team Arrives
- Day 1 KTM Day
- Day 2 Fly to Lukla/Phakding
- Day 3 Trek to Namche
- Day 4 Rest
- Day 5 Trek to Tengboche
- Day 6 Rest
- Day 7 Trek to Pheriche
- Day 8 Rest
- Day 9 Trek to Lobuche base camp
- Day 10 Trek to Lobuche High Camp
- Day 11 Move to Lobuche High Camp
- Day 12 Acclimatize
- Day 13 Summit and descend Lobuche BC
- Day 14 Trek to EBC
- Day 15 Rest at EBC - Training
- Day 16 Trek to Lobuche
- Day 17 Trek to Pokalde HC via Kongma La
- Day 18 Climb Pokalde & descend to Chhukung
- Day 19 Trek from Chhukung to Island Peak BC
- Day 20 Climb Island Peak return Chhukung
- Day 21 Trek Chhukung to Pangboche
- Day 22 Pangboche to Namche
- Day 23 Namche to Lukla
- Day 24 Lukla flight to KTM
- Day 25 Fly home
- Day 26 Contingency day
- Day 27 Contingency day
....Snowy Finish...
Our first Alpine Academy has come to a close with a snowy, chilly finish.
Plenty of 'alpine' conditions' to really initiate our team which is excellent training. Their second day they went into Blue Lake battling strong winds and intermittent white outs for a snow anchor course and fixed line ascension and they filled their final day with a full crevasse rescue training session before breaking camp and snow shoeing back to the trailhead.
Scott summed it up nicely for us:
"This Australian Alpine Academy was a terrific course run by Mike Hamill. With his extensive experience as a mountaineer, he was able to provide a very accomodating package tailored to a group with mixed skills and backgrounds. His friendly approach combined with his background conveyed confidence and a safety first mentality from the outset. This course provided a good foundation and structure for those wanting to go beyond the Australian high country to bigger and higher challenges/peaks. Equally, it was a very worthwhile course for those looking to get a solid foundation for safely spending time backcountry in the Australian Alps. The ability to have access to someone with such experience amongst the world's highest mountains, is unprecedented for a course such as this here in Australia. Spending time with Mike and him openly sharing his tips, tricks and approaches was incredibly valuable. A worthwhile course that I'm sure will become well sought after here in Australia."
Cheers
CTSS Team
Lhotse Climb Combo Add-On
Lhotse Climb Add-On
Add On: $19,995 USD
Combining an ascent of Mt. Everest and the 4th highest mountain in the world, Lhotse, is a huge feat! With advancements in oxygen system technology and our rope fixing infrastructure it is now an achievable possibility to tag these 2 X 8000m summits in under 24 hours (given you are already so well acclimatised)
After summiting Mt Everest, you will rest on oxygen at either the South Col or Lhotse high camp (just off the Geneva Spur) for the night before climbing Lhotse’s summit pyramid early the next morning with a Personal Sherpa*. You then drop down to Camp 2 that same day and back to Base Camp the following day.
This adds only a day of extra climbing onto your chosen Mt. Everest program.
If you are goal driven, chasing the 8,000m peaks or simply want to enter the record books of the tiny number of people that have completed this double header feat, we’re happy to help you make this happen by organising and facilitating your Lhotse add on.
*Depending on your program you may be able to secure your private Everest Guide for your Lhotse Ascent too – Private IFMGA Guides attract an additional fee of $5,000 and Private Western Guides attract an additional fee of $10,000.
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, where we obtain our climbing permits before flying to Lukla in the Khumbu Valley to trek to Everest base camp. Our climb ends in Kathmandu. We suggest you book a flexible return airfare.
The Lhotse Add-On itinerary is subject to your chosen Everest program and adds a single day to your itinerary following your Everest summit.
- Apr 3Â Â Â Â Team Arrives
- Apr 4Â Â Â Â KTM Day
- Apr 5Â Â Â Â Fly to Lukla/Phakding
- Apr 6Â Â Â Â Trek to Namche
- Apr 7Â Â Â Â Rest
- Apr 8Â Â Â Â Trek to Tengboche
- Apr 9Â Â Â Â Rest
- Apr 10Â Â Trek to Pheriche
- Apr 11Â Â Rest
- Apr 12Â Â Trek to Lobuche base camp
- Apr 13Â Â Trek to Lobuche High Camp
- Apr 14Â Â Move to Lobuche High Camp
- Apr 15Â Â Acclimatize
- Apr 16Â Â Summit and descend Lobuche BC
- Apr 17Â Â Trek to EBC
- Apr 18Â Â Rest at EBC
- Apr 19Â Â Rest at EBC
- Apr 20Â Â Train
- Apr 21Â Â Rest/Pack for first rotation
- Apr 22Â Â Climb to C1
- Apr 23Â Â Climb towards C2
- Apr 24Â Â Descend to base camp
- Apr 25Â Â Rest
- Apr 26Â Â Hike to Pumori
- Apr 27Â Â Rest
- Apr 28Â Â Climb to C1
- Apr 29Â Â Climb to C2
- Apr 30Â Â Climb above C2
- May 1Â Â Â Climb to C3 and descend to C2
- May 2Â Â Â Descend to base camp
- May 3Â Â Â Rest
- May 4Â Â Â Rest
- May 5Â Â Â Rest
- May 6Â Â Â Rest
- May 7Â Â Â To C1
- May 8Â Â Â To C2
- May 9Â Â Â To C3
- May 10 To C4
- May 11 Summit and descend to C2
- May 12 Descend to base camp
- May 13 Rest
- May 14 Pack up base camp
- May 15 Trek to Pheriche
- May 16 Trek to Namche
- May 17 Trek to Lukla
- May 18 Fly to KTM
- May 19 Fly Home
- May 20 Contingency
- May 21 Contingency
- May 22 Contingency
- May 23 Contingency
- May 24 Contingency
Your inclusions and exclusions are based on your chosen Everest program.
In addition to your chosen Everest program; the Lhotse Add On includes:
- Support for a summit attempt on Lhotse following your Everest summit attempt
- Lhotse permit
- Additional Lhotse logistics (high mountain support, weather forecasts, rope fixing fees, food etc)
- Additional oxygen (4 additional bottles – 3x for your use, 1x for your sherpa) for use on Lhotse summit day
- A Personal Sherpa for Lhotse summit day to guide you*
*Please note; as The Lhotse Add On is a separate deviation from your Everest program and therefore your Everest guidance is not included and you will be assigned a Personal Sherpa to assist you. If you do want to continue with your private Everest guidance, or want higher levels of guidance, please contact us for up to date pricing
Extra Oxygen
Extra Oxygen
$9,995 USD
All our expeditions allocate a very generous supply of oxygen. In general, we plan to run an oxygen flow of 3L/min or more while climbing, and 1L/min sleeping. With the advanced technology of our hyper-efficient, state-of-the-art oxygen masks, this is usually more than enough. We give you 11 bottles (8 for you and 3 for your Sherpa). So, long story short is you don’t need extra oxygen.
However, if you can afford it we generally recommend purchasing extra oxygen. We consider it cheap insurance. With the extra oxygen, you can run at a higher flow rate which will keep you warmer, allowing you to move faster on summit day and reducing your fatigue levels when you return to the South Col, all of which goes a long way towards keeping you safe. Also, if you get delayed due to weather at the South Col for a day, need to turn back on your first summit attempt for any reason, or miss thread your bottle which can periodically happen, having the extra Os may save your summit bid.
The extra oxygen option buys 3 more bottles of oxygen delivered to the upper mountain (we will discuss strategy on how to best use this extra oxygen). With the extra Os you can run high flow (4 – 5L/min) throughout summit day, start oxygen at Camp 2, and/or have a bit extra in case of delays at the South Col etc.
*Please note, extra oxygen is non-refundable and non-transferable*
...Perfect Terrain for Beginners...
The team out in the Aussie backcountry have been keeping very busy and having a blast! From sunrise til sunset they are training and learning all the foundational skills of mountaineering.
So far they have learnt how to rig and travel with sleds, had their first snow school, tackling roped climbing, cramponing, self arrest and also spent time learning the most used and vital mountaineering knots.
After a busy day, they refuelled with mediterranean pasta (my favourite comfort dinner in the mountains - it's so good we actually roll it out at home too! You should try it: Cook some spiral pasta and throw in generous helpings of olive oil, kalamatta olives, danish feta, sun-dried tomatoes and toasted pinenuts. Simple but AMAZING) and tonight I think it's Quesadillas...
Cheers
Caroline
Everest Accommodation Upgrades
'8848 - The Residence'
CONTACT US FOR PRICING
Welcome to ‘8848m – The Residence’ truly redefining what the Mt. Everest experience is, from start to finish. Beyond a tent, it’s a powered, heated home.
Featuring;
- Private WC & hot showerÂ
- Personal stove heater
- A 4 poster bed with comforter & pillows
- CTSS unichill onesie PJs
- Personal charging facilities, overhead lighting*
- Table and chair to create a private workspace that allows professionals and business executives to productively use valuable downtime at base camp to continue to manage work obligations or to simply keep up with friends and family and update social media.
- A chest of drawers and clothes rack
- Raised, carpeted flooring to insulate from the glacier
- Personal humidifier
- Morning beverage service
- Shoe rack
- Single rooming throughout the expedition in Kathmandu & teahouses (Please note that tent accommodations at Lobuche high camp and above Everest base camp are double-occupancy for everyone for safety reasons)
*Please note that The Residence is non-refundable and non-transferable and is suitable only for single rooming.
Couples can be accommodated at an additional surcharge of $1,995.
Power is available during set peak usage times for sustainability.*
Everest Executive Dome
$14,995 USD
Our Everest Executive program features our insulated, poweres personal geodesic domes that feel more like a unique hotel room than a tent!
“Everest Executive is like upgrading to first class except the flight is 60 days instead of 12hours. It’s a no brainer” – John Keagy
Featuring:
- Powered with personal charging facilities, overhead lighting and 2x heaters*
- Windows with curtains to take in the epic views
- A Queen sized bed with comforter & pillows
- Table and chair to create a private workspace that allows professionals and business executives to productively use valuable downtime at base camp to continue to manage work obligations or to simply keep up with friends and family and update social media.
- Raised, carpeted flooring to insulate from the glacier
- Personal humidifier
- Morning beverage service
- Shoe rack
- Single rooming throughout the expedition in Kathmandu & teahouses (Please note that tent accommodations at Lobuche high camp and above Everest base camp are double-occupancy for everyone for safety reasons)
If you are stressed for time, you can consider combining our Everest Executive program with our CTSS Speed Ascent option to live in luxury AND minimize your time away from home.
*Please note that the Everest Executive program is non-refundable and non-transferable and is suitable only for single rooming.
Couples can be accommodated at an additional surcharge of $1,995.
Power is available during set peak usage times for sustainability.*
Everest Associate
$6,995 USD
Our Everest Associate program is perfect for climbers wishing to enjoy a step above our traditional service by living in incredible comfort in a two room (Vestibule entrance foyer and bedroom area) insulated house tent.
Those that choose our Everest Associate option will enjoy:
- Raised wood flooring with carpet to insulate from the glacier
- Single cot bed with comforter and pillow
- Entryway room for private gear storage
- Overhead lighting
- Personal device charging power outlet
- Table & Chair to create a private workspace
- Shoe Rack
- Morning Beverage Service
*Please note that this option doesn’t include tent heating or single rooming in Kathmandu and teahouses. (Please note that tent accommodations at Lobuche high camp and above Everest base camp are double-occupancy for safety)
Chat to us about the option of adding a single room which goes a long way towards keeping you healthy and helping you get the rest you need to climb strong, thus improving summit success.
If you are stressed for time, you can consider combining our Everest Executive program with our CTSS Speed Ascent option to live in luxury AND minimize your time away from home.
*Please note that the Everest Associate program is non-refundable and non-transferable and is suitable only for single rooming. Couples can be accommodated at an additional surcharge of $1,995*
