... Continuing Forward, Upward...
After waiting out bad weather at camp 2 our summit teams are on the move again.
Everest climbers Mario C, Akash N, Remy K, and Francesco with guides Big Tendi, Pasang Teni, and Ang Dawa as well as Lhotse climbers Wolf R and Francisco M with guides Anup Gurung and Saman Gurang all moved up to C3 today. They made excellent time and the weather is quite reasonable there- light wind and good visibility.
Everest climbers Jessica H, Jessica E. H, Hemanshu P, and Clayton W, Asma, Maria M, Vanessa E, and Mario F along with guides Tomas Ceppi and Oswaldo Freire are taking a rest day at Camp 2 for one more night. They will head to Camp 3 tomorrow.
Cheers,
CTSS Team
...In Tribute to Pemba Tashi Sherpa...
It is with the deepest regret and profound sorrow that we inform you of the passing of Pemba Tashi Sherpa (28) from Siluchung Gaupalika, Ward No-5, Shankhuwasabha District, on 18th of May 2021.
Pemba Tashi Sherpa fell into a crevasse between Camp 1 & 2 on Everest. Despite the best efforts of the rescue team, who were on site shortly after the incident and were able to raise him from the crevasse, he was unable to be saved.
Over the past day, CTSS have been working closely with his family, including his 2 brothers who are here on Everest with us. We were able to bring him off the mountain yesterday and he has been taken to his family by helicopter today.
He is survived by his wife Lhakpa Kippa Sherpa, his young daughters Nyima Yangi (5) Lhakpa Khandu (2) and his son, Pasang Dawa (3).
Pemba Tashi was an extremely experienced mountaineer and a valued member of our team with 4x Everest summits, including one just last week on May 12th.
Beyond the insurance in place, CTSS will also be contributing to the children's on-going education in addition to launching a special initiative through our Not-For-Profit Tiger of the Snows Fund for any members of our broader community who wish to rally further support for his family for the years to come.
If you would also like to be part of that support we invite you to do so via Tiger of the Snows Fund where 100% of the monies raised will be invested into an education fund for Pemba Tashi's children.
We would also like to recognise the great work of The Juniper Fund who have also committed to assist the family by covering living costs for the next 5 years as they move through this unimaginably difficult time.
We are profoundly saddened by the loss of this strong, vibrant, extremely competent, gregarious and much loved member of our CTSS Family.
Our condolences and hearts are with his wife, children family, friends and climbing compatriots.
... Summit Teams at C1 and C2...
Our second summit wave, all remaining Teams except our Western Guided Team and one other climber, moved through the Khumbu Icefall today, with some spending the night at Camp 1 before continuing to Camp 2 tomorrow and others heading directly to Camp 2 with a planned rest day tomorrow. The weather is still looking good over the next few days for a solid summit bid.
CTSS's Sherpa team is busily stocking Camp 4 with oxygen and supplies in advance of the climbing team's arrival, we're setting up for a great summit day!
Cheers,
CTSS
...Weather Window!...
Over the last few days, we've been keeping an eye on the weather forecast, it's looking good!
Our second round of summit climbers, all remaining teams except our Western Guided team and one other climber, are heading out from basecamp in a few hours (early morning, Nepal time) to start their summit rotation. Their plan is to head to C1 today and spend the night there.
Our Western Guided team hiked to the flanks of Pumori yesterday to shake out a bit after a stint at basecamp relaxing and recovering. They'll continue to prepare and be underway for their summit rotation soon.
We're looking forward to good weather and great climbing.
Cheers,
CTSS Team
...Safely Back to Camp...
A quick update adding on to the great summit news today - all of our members & staff are safely back to the South Col. They will rest there on oxygen and then descend down to Camp 2 tomorrow.
Two of our climbers, Michael Neal & Steve Stevens even dropped down to Camp 2 and will come back to Base Camp tomorrow.
Plenty to celebrate in the CTSS camp! Congratulations all.
... 100% of Wave 1 on Summit!!!...
8:45 a.m. May 12, 2021 (Kathmandu Time)
They're on top! 7 Members: 10x Staff!
We're excited to announce CTSS climbers Michael Neal, Steve Stephens, April Leonardo, Ryan Argenta, Michael Paterson, Rob Su, and their guides and Sherpa team have successfully summited Mt. Everest!
6am:
CTSS Climber: Michael Neal
CTSS Climber: Steve Stevens
Ang Tsering Sherpa, Thame
Pemba Tashi Sherpa
Pemchhiri Sherpa (Mountain Guide)
Lhakpa Rangdu (Mountain Guide)
7am:
CTSS Climber: David Morgan
Lhakpa Tsering
8:15am:
CTSS Climber: Michael Paterson
CTSS Climber: April Leonardo
CTSS Climber: Ryan Argenta
CTSS Climber: Rob Su
Pemba Gyalje Sherpa
Rinjee Sherpa
Nima Rita Sherpa
Tenji Sherpa (Mountain Guide)
Asusg Gurung (Aspirant)
Good weather and low winds made for a great summit day. All climbers are now either resting at the South Col or on their way down from the Balcony.
Massive congratulations from CTSS to our Summiters! Wishing them all a smooth descent, I know they'll be looking forward to relaxing to enjoy their success soon.
Well done!
Cheers,
CTSS Team
...South Col on the Summit Bid...
Our first wave of summit bid climbers are safely into the South Col and currently resting on oxygen as they prepare to head to the top of the world in just a few hours!
They did really well today and made good time and the weather is holding stable.
The will leave the Col around 8-9pm tonight, climb through the night with the goal of summiting at first light around 4-5am.
The 7 climbers (Michael N, Michael P, Rob S, Steve S, April L & Ryan A) are supported by 13x very strong Sherpa & Sherpa Guides.
Reports are about 70 climbers summited today which is great news as the route will be in good shape with well kicked-in steps for our team.
Good luck team!!
If you would like to see the summit bid broken into stages and what the team are experiencing, check out these videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMQKSvMGwGg&list=PLMz_kRmPTvqUjpcgqswdV2RbxOYWU38z6
... First Summit Wave at Camp 3...
The weather window is holding and our first wave of summit climbers are looking good for a May 12 summit bid!
Our IFMGA Sherpa Guided team climbers April, Ryan, David with Guide Tenji & Private IFMGA climbers and personal sherpa climbers, Michael P, Michael N, Rob, and Steve made good time to Camp 3 and are resting there tonight. Tomorrow this team of climbers will move up to Camp 4 at the South Col preparing for their summit bid starting tomorrow night. It's game time, the weather looks good, and they're ready!
Guide Big Tendi with climbers Damian and Mario F had a good climb up to Camp 3 for acclimatization and are back at Camp 2 resting. Their plan is to descend back to Basecamp tomorrow for more rest, recovery, and preparation for their summit rotation.
The rest of the crew is doing well and gaining strength at Everest Basecamp. The ping pong table is a hot commodity, as well as the coffee bar and weather reports. Winds look like they'll pick up a bit May 14-18 as the jet stream swings over the summit. We're hoping for a good weather window after the 18th, our basecamp team will be chomping at the bit!
Cheers,
CTSS Team
Mt Baker Gear Rentals
Renting gear without reservations on the first day of the program is highly discouraged. We are on a tight schedule to get to the trailhead on day 1. Please arrange to pick up any rental gear prior to the first day of the climb. Not all gear rental locations have a large stock, please arrange and reserve any rentals well in advance to ensure you can receive proper sizes and availability.
REI Seattle
222 Yale Ave N
Seattle, WA 98109
206-223-1944
rei.com
REI Carries some basic mountaineering equipment for rent. Prices and availability are subject to change. Visit the store’s website or call the store for inventory and reservations
Ascent Outdoors
5209 Ballard Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 545-8810
ascentoutdoors.com
A small Seattle independent retailer with basic mountaineering rentals
Backcountry Essentials
214 W Holly St
Bellingham, WA 98225
360-543-5678
backcountryessentials.net
Locally run outdoor equipment store in Bellingham, WA with basic mountaineering rentals.
3-Day Mount Baker Classic Climb
Price: $1,175 USD
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June 26 – 28, 2026
Our Mt. Baker Classic 3-Day Climb is our most popular climb in the Pacific Northwest because it packs so much experience into a short three-day window. Gear check, forest approach, skills training, and summit climb all in one package, and you won’t have to take much time off work!
We meet in the small town of Sedro-Woolley, about an hour and a half north of Seattle, at 8:00 am the morning of your first day. The guides will take the team through a brief gear check and issue group gear to be divided and carried by the team on the approach to camp. With gear ready to go, the team will caravan another hour’s drive to the Schreiber’s Meadow Trailhead at 3,360 ft (1,024 m).
Leaving the trailhead, our approach winds through lowland temperate rainforest, across several small streams, and up a well-maintained trail to the beginning of the Railroad Grade. Railroad Grade is a climber’s path following the ridge of the Easton Glacier’s historical lateral moraine. If the weather is clear the team is treated to stunning views of the Easton Glacier, Mt. Baker itself, and a beautiful panoramic of the North Cascades all around. After about four hours of hiking, we arrive at Sandy Camp at 5,900 ft (1,800 m), our home for the next few days.
The climb itself leaves Sandy Camp and rolls through some snowfields and rock formations before crossing onto the Easton Glacier at around 6,800 ft (2,075m). Our route follows the Easton Glacier up to the saddle between the true summit and Scherman Peak, then ascends the Roman Headwall for the final climb to a broad summit plateau. Finally, a 10-minute walk across the flat summit plateau brings the team to the true summit of Mt. Baker, 10,781 ft (3,286 m). The descent follows the same route back to camp.
On our final day, we plan on arriving back at the trailhead by 1:00 pm and returning to Sedro-Woolley by 3:00 pm, ideally.
This is a sample itinerary only. Your actual daily schedule may be refined and strategically planned to account for the best weather and summit windows etc.
- Day 1: Arrive in Sedro-Woolley by 8:00am. Gear Check and drive to Schrieber’s Meadow Trailhead. Complete the approach to Sandy Camp and settle in.
- Day 2: Training around Sandy Camp, brief glacier walk for practice, early bedtime in preparation for the summit climb.
- Day 3: Wake early for an alpine start. Climb the route and summit just after sunrise. Descend to camp, pack up, and hike back to the trailhead. Drive back to Sedro-Woolley.
It is advised that you book local accommodation for the night of your last day instead of traveling home when you will be tired.
Our expeditions are designed to be fully inclusive, except for some services/items of a personal nature like flights, gear, insurance. Here’s a detailed list so you know what to expect
Included in the Mt. Baker 3-Day Classic Climb
- Professional mountain guides
- All on-mountain food is covered including breakfast, dinner, and hot drinks. You may want to bring a few of your favorite snacks to supplement on summit day.
- All group gear, including mountaineering tents, cooking gear, stoves, ropes, etc.
- First-aid equipment
- Satellite phone to update the blog and available to clientele at $3/minute
Excluded from the Mt. Baker 3-Day Classic Climb
- All in-town restaurant meals
- Hotels before or after the climb
- Transportation to and from the airport
- Flight costs
- All personal climbing equipment is the responsibility of the client
- In the event of a rescue, evacuation, or early departure from the group, any rescue expenses or excess expenses above and beyond our normal trip costs including transport, hotels, evacuation, flight changes, and gear shipping are the responsibility of the client.
- Guide tips (customary, but optional)
- Costs incurred as a result of events beyond the control of CTSS above and beyond the normal expedition costs
- Required trip insurance policy (for trip cancellation, interruption, rescue & evacuation, medical treatment, repatriation, etc.)
