... Storm Clearing on Everest...
The last 36 hours have brought some challenging weather for our teams on Everest. High winds and over a foot of snow meant a slight change of plans.
Our Western Guided Team waited out the weather at Camp 1. With the wind and snow dying down they're planning on taking a walk up the Western Cwm tomorrow before returning to Basecamp the following day.
The Sherpa Guided and Private Guided Teams took advantage of the inclement weather by doing some training in our Big House. Traditionally getting climbers trained up in bad weather was a struggle against cold fingers and yelling over the wind - not any more thanks to our Basecamp infrastructure! Our team was able to refresh their basic gear use, rigging, and rappelling strategies all without having to put on their big puffy jackets. This is a perfect example of how solid expedition logistics can make a climb more successful regardless of conditions.
Cheers,
CTSS Team
... Snow on Everest, 3 Peaks Team Presses On...
Our Everest teams are hitting the pause button for a day or so with new snow and high winds turning the mountain a little more back towards winter. Our Western Guided Team decided not to climb to Camp 2 with the recent snowfall, they're relaxing at Camp 1 waiting for better weather, spirits are high!
The Private Guided and Sherpa Guided Teams are waiting out this brief storm in Basecamp, but these aren't wasted days! At this point in the expedition, a climber's body still benefits from simple rest at altitude. Once this round of snow passes they'll be even stronger for the next round.
Everest isn't our only game in Nepal!
Let's catch up with our 3 Peaks team working their way through the Khumbu Valley. Over the last few weeks, they've mirrored our Everest teams trekking up the Khumbu Valley to Lobuche. After Lobuche the team headed over to Pokalde, a beautiful peak above the town of Dingboche forming the final dividing ridge between the Lobuche River flowing out of the Khumbu glacier and the Imja Khola river flowing out of the Lhotse Glacier.
The team received over a foot of snow as they descended Pokalde, but will head towards Island Peak soon to check the conditions there. Fingers crossed the route is good and they can get another climb in!
Cheers,
CTSS Team
... The Climbing Begins...
CTSS' Everest Basecamp is lively! All 3 of our full teams are settled in and enjoying their new home away from home. Our Speed Climbers are arriving in Kathmandu today after spending most of the last few months sleeping in specialized tents to pre-acclimatize. We're looking forward to having them join the teams at EBC shortly.
The rest of the crew has made themselves at home, enjoying fresh coffee in the morning, excellent food, and views that stun in every direction!
Our Western Guided Team is headed uphill out of basecamp today for their first rotation through the Khumbu Icefall. Their plan is to head to Camp 1 for the night, then a climb to Camp 2 the next day, returning to Camp 1 for a second night. Each of these rotations work progressively higher on the mountain, setting our climbers up to be in prime shape for summit day.
CTSS' Private Guided and Sherpa Guided Teams completed a beautiful hike up to Camp 1 on nearby Pumori. After arriving in Basecamp and spending a few days resting this is a perfect way to keep their bodies pushing through the acclimatization process.
Cheers,
CTSS Team
...Puja Photos...
A few more photos for you...
...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
