Summit Standby
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Climbers Back At Base Camp After Successful 2nd Rotation
Here’s the latest from the Khumbu:
Word came in from our Western Guided team, and they are now back at Everest Base Camp enjoying a much-needed rest after a successful second rotation. The following private climbers also arrived back at Base Camp today, including Jocelyn C. and guide Ashish, Terry S. and guide Dawa, Eva S. and guide Pega, as well as John W and guide Don.
To the right, you’ll see a quick video update from Tendi Sherpa (Little Tendi), who oversees all of our Everest Base Camp and upper mountain logistics. As Tendi shares, many of our climbers are now eyeing their summit bids as we wait for an ideal weather window.
40-day Speed Climber Alyssa and guide Phunjo hit their goal and tagged Camp 3 today. They are now back at Camp 2 and plan to return to Everest Base Camp tomorrow.
We have a few other private climbers still pushing forward with their first or second rotations, including Kevin S and guide Jangbu along with our Lhotse climber Adravan F. Today, they reached a new high point of 7,100 meters. They will stay at Camp 2 tonight before returning to Everest Base Camp tomorrow.
The Bouka family is doing well at Camp 2 and will return to Base Camp tomorrow to conclude their first rotation.
Below, you will find an overview of the route our teams are taking to the summit of Everest. All teams and climbers will complete multiple rotations on the upper mountain before making their final summit bid.
Weekend Updates from Everest
We hope you are all enjoying a great weekend.
Updates for May 4th: The teams are doing really well on their acclimatization rotations and are to be commended for their strength.
Today we welcomed back to Base Camp Sam & Emma S, Michael K, Robert A, Eva S, Adam S (and our Camp 3 climber Doug C who all successfully tagged Camp 3 - Congratulations!) to complete their second rotations. Also coming back to Base after successful first rotations Varun R with Guide Thunang. They will now enjoy a well deserved rest.
Up at Camp 2 our Western Guided Team are enjoying a good rest with half of the team hitting Camp 3 today, along with private climber John W with Guide Don. The other half of the Western Guided team elected for a rest day at Camp 2. They'll tackle the Lhotse Face tomorrow before reconvening as a broader team and dropping back down to Base completing their second rotation. Jocelyn C & Terry S, Andrea G & Kevin S also took an active rest day hiking to the Base of the Lhotse Face. Tomorrow they will look to tag Camp 3.
The Bouka team had a nice sunny, warm rest day at Camp 2. They'll be looking at tagging Camp 3 tomorrow as well.
Our Speed Ascent climber Alyssa moved strongly from Camp 1 to Camp 2 along with Lhotse climber Ardavan.
We will be in a nice early position with lots of time ahead of us in the season to take our pick of weather windows. The team are doing great.
Oxygen Tanks on the Move: Camp 3 is OPEN!
All is quiet from Everest this evening which means all of our teams have tucked in for the night. We received word that the Bouka family has successfully made it to Camp 2.
In addition, Camp 3 will soon be in rotation. The Ice Doctors and Sherpa have fixed the lines which means our team will now start carrying and caching oxygen to use on the upper reaches of the mountain.
Curious about the use of oxygen on Everest? Here is a little more background how we approach and allocate oxygen. In general, we run an oxygen flow of 3L/min or more while climbing, and 1L/min sleeping. This equates to about 8 bottles per climber, which means a lot of oxygen has to move up the mountain! We are proud to use hyper-efficient and state-of-the-art oxygen masks which help all of our climbers and Sherpa make the most of each oxygen bottle while on the mountain. If you want to learn a little more about the science of acclimatization and available oxygen at high altitudes, our Understanding Acclimatization page is a great place to start!
Climbers Feeling Strong at Camp 1 and Camp 2
All of our climbers and teams are above Base Camp in the thick of their acclimatization rotations. Remember, no news is good news from your climbers. We will continue to keep our blog updated as we hear more from our team.
Private climbers Michael K. with guide Dorjee, Eva S. with guide Papshe, and Varun R. with guide Thunang are all at Camp 2 for their second night. Sam and Emma Schwerin, Adam S., John W., Jocelyn C., Robert A., and our Camp 3 climber Doug C, are joining them tonight.
At Camp 1, the Bouka family is settling in for their second night after a rest and acclimatization day alongside Speed Ascenders Anna K. and Ilknur C. Tomorrow, they will move to Camp 2.
Kevin S, with guide Jangbu, and Andrea G., with Guide Robert, made excellent time to Camp 1, moving smoothly through the Khumbu Icefall. They are settled in for the night.
A fresh dusting of snow came and went, and now there are starry skies in the Western CWM with a clear weather forecast over the next few days.
At Everest Base Camp, Chef Emma and her team are enjoying a much-deserved break until the climbers return.
We are impressed with everyone’s morale and strength. All climbers and teams are doing great!
Below, we link two videos from our YouTube channel. First is a breakdown of the route through the Khumbu Icefall (Stage 2), followed by the route from the Western CWM to the Lhotse Face (Stage 3). The Western CWM is just above Camp 1. A huge part of a climber’s preparation for a climb like Everest is visualization, so we do not doubt that many on Everest right now have watched these videos. If you’re at home, we hope this gives you a glimpse into the sights and sounds our teams are experiencing.
Climbers Are On The Move!
Our teams are on the move! Today, the Western Guided team and many of our private climbers arrived safely at Camp 1 for their second rotation. This ascent was efficient and smooth, precisely what we love to hear from the Khumbu Icefall.
Most of these climbers and teams will pause and spend tonight and tomorrow night acclimatizing at Camp 1 before continuing higher.
Tonight, two more private climbers, Kevin S., with guide Jangbu, and Andrea G., with guide Robert, will join the others at Camp 1 to begin their rotations.
Our Lhotse climbers and Speed Ascenders are preparing and readying at Everest Base camp and will make their move up the mountain in the next few days.
Before climbers started on their first and second rotations, we had a special visit at Everest Base Camp from Mitchell Hutchcraft, who, like many of our climbers, has eyes set on summiting Everest this season. But Mitch’s path to Everest has been anything but typical. Since departing Dover, UK, Mitch took a 34-kilometer swim across the English Channel. After that, he peddled over 10,000 kilometers from the coast of France to the coast of India. For his third phase, Mitch set out on foot, running 900 kilometers from sea level in India to Kathmandu, Nepal. For his final leg, Mitch trekked to Everest Base Camp from Kathmandu and will continue climbing all the way to the summit of Mount Everest. INCREDIBLE.
As CTSS’s owner Mike Hamill shared, “He’s already on day 227. Unreal. Best of luck with the rest of your climb; we’ll have a beer waiting for you when you get down to celebrate your achievement.”
Below is a photo of Mitch and Mitch, two absolute legends!
Masters Mountaineering
Masters Mountaineering
Expeditions & Resources
Older, wiser, and ready to climb? Your age is an asset, not a limitation.
Our Masters Mountaineering program was created for climbers 50 and up who want to move with intention, not pressure. These are thoughtfully designed expeditions—built around your pace, your goals, and your love for the journey. With expert guides and a like-minded community, you’ll find support at every step and purpose in every summit.
Whether you’re returning to the mountains or just beginning, this is your path forward.
We’re proud to introduce our Masters Mountaineering Program—four unique expeditions tailored for climbers over 50.
Click each expedition below to learn more.
After hearing from hundreds of climbers during our Masters Mountaineering: Climbing After 50 webinar, one thing is crystal clear:
You’re not done climbing—you just want to do it your way.
Over 80% of participants shared a desire to climb with like-minded peers, with a strong emphasis on slower pacing, shared life experience, and climbing for purpose—not ego. Whether you’re getting back in shape, starting fresh in your 50s, or just tired of chasing younger, faster teammates, you’re not alone.
Get to know three of the incredible guides leading our Masters Mountaineering expeditions, who all bring a unique blend of technical skill, deep experience, and care for climbers. In addition to being world-class guides, these individuals all share a mutual passion for teaching.
Click on each guide below to learn more.
Looking for more information on gear, training, and nutrition? You’ve come to the right place!
We’ve compiled many of our resources and past webinars in one easy-to-find location.
Click below to explore each resource further.
Eva Steinwald is 63 years old and proving that it’s never too late to start something big. Originally from Germany and now based in Boise, Idaho, Eva is climbing the Seven Summits by the age of 70, a goal she’s calling her 7 Summits x 70. She didn’t grow up in the mountains and didn’t put on crampons or carry an ice axe until her 60s. But after losing her husband, she found healing and purpose in the mountains.
It started with Idaho’s Mount Borah, where Eva pushed through her fear of heights and made it to the summit in tears. That moment changed everything. In 2021, she climbed Mount Rainier without ever having worn a harness or helmet. “I felt like I was on Everest,” she says. That climb gave her the courage to trek to Everest Base Camp the following year—and now, she’s back in the Khumbu, climbing Everest with CTSS and completing her first rotation.
Since that first climb, Eva’s ticked off Aconcagua, Denali, and now Everest, and she’s just getting started. Her 7 Summits x 70 goal isn’t just about standing on the world’s highest peaks; it’s about honoring the life she’s lived, the one she’s building, and the purpose she’s found along the way. “The mountains rescued me,” she says. And now, she’s climbing them—one summit at a time.
“Participating in the Mt. Baker Alpine Climbing Academy was nothing short of life-changing. Over the course of five intense and unforgettable days, I had the privilege of training with two of the most accomplished and humble climbers I’ve ever met — Dallas Glass and Robert Jantzen. Between them, they’ve summited some of the world’s most formidable peaks, including Everest, Denali, and Cho Oyu, and brought a level of knowledge, professionalism, and humility that made this experience truly exceptional.
The training was rigorous, covering self-arrest, crevasse rescue, fixed rope systems, climbing strategy, and more — all in the heart of a glacial environment with no distractions, no cell phones, just mountains, stars, and snow.”
– Rajesh P. (USA)
In Masters Mountaineer Nathalie's own words...
I am 54 (2025). I might be past my physical prime, but I can still rest step!
Attending the MASTERS Mountaineering Academy was the best decision I have ever made for my personal growth. It was not easy. I struggled. I got angry. I laughed. I exulted. I felt pride and empowerment.
AND just like THAT, now, I want to do it again.
We could not have had more skilled, dedicated, and attentive guides than Dallas Glass and Rob Jantzen. You guys… Je vous aime! They made me feel safe at all times, which was essential to me since I was on a mission to overcome my debilitating fear of glaciers. Guess what? Dallas pointed out I was all smiles when we were progressing on the glacier.
I deeply loved being on the Masters team: it offered such nurturing energy, a tacit understanding, a slower pace, and a sense of belonging. I will be seeking Masters team climbs.
As for the learned skills, it was invaluable! We learned to stuff a backpack and hauled it to base camp. We learned to set up a camp in the snow. We learned the rest step, how to wear a helmet, harness, and crampons. We learned to progress as a roped team. We practiced self-arrest techniques, including various ice-axe grips and their usage based on the slope’s incline. We practiced climbing with the ascender along a fixed rope. And it paid off: we successfully made the summit!
Help Us Shape Our Masters Mountaineering Program
Masters Mountaineering is built for you, so we want your input on where we go next! As we expand this program, we’re looking to add more expeditions tailored for climbers 50+ who want to take on big mountains with expert support and a smart approach.
Which peak, or peaks, should be our next Masters Mountaineering destination? Click below to help us shape the future of this program!
What's CTSS's Secret Sauce on Everest?
We have a few private climbers at Camp 1, including Eva S. with guide Papshe, Michael K. with guide Dorgee, and Varun R. with guide Thunang. As part of their first rotation, they will look to tag Camp 2 tomorrow.
Due to wind and snow, the Western Guided team, along with many private climbers, took another rest day at Everest Base Camp. They spent the day in the Big House, enjoying hot cappuccinos and playing the world’s highest game of bingo. They will head up early tomorrow for their rotations.
Here are a few photos from the CTSS archives, showcasing our famous Big House. Photos courtesy of Guy Williment.
In the afternoon, the sun resurfaced and cast its warmth down on Base Camp. Everyone enjoyed an early dinner in preparation for tomorrow’s rotation. The team also enjoyed a final Puja ceremony held on an auspicious day. We’re thankful that all of our teams, including our 30-Day and 40-Day Speed Ascenders, as well as Ardavan F., our Lhotse climber, had the opportunity to take part in such a special Tibetan Buddhist tradition and blessing.
Our final team of Everest Base Camp trekkers has arrived back in Kathmandu after a quick flight from Lukla. Tonight they will celebrate their successes with a team farewell dinner. Massive congratulations to all our trekkers who made their way to Everest Base Camp this season.
Many people ask us what CTSS’s secret sauce is on Mount Everest. Of course, our incredibly strong Sherpa team and our international and Nepali guides are the backbone of our expedition. However, we wouldn’t have the program we do without the leadership and guidance of Big Tendi and Little Tendi and the behind-the-scenes magic from our partners, Sagar and Gobinda, in Kathmandu.
- Big Tendi (right) has trained a generation of Nepalese mountain guides and led the Nepal National Mountain Guide Association forward as Technical Director for more than a decade. He oversees the logistics of Everest Base Camp and leads our entire Sherpa team every day.
- Little Tendi (left) is the visionary behind Everest Base Camp, overseeing its construction, and is a force on the mountain, beyond being a legendary mountain guide. He leads our team both as a private guide and by overseeing upper mountain logistics.
Between Big Tendi, Little Tendi, and CTSS’s owner, Mike Hamill, this trio has over 55 Everest expeditions under their belts, plus nearly 100x 8000m peaks. They work diligently to leverage this experience for the success of the team, and we feel incredibly lucky to have not only their experience as leaders but also the collective experience of all of our guides and staff.
Rotations Continue and Rope Fixing Teams Above Camp 3
Our final team of Everest Base Camp trekkers has arrived in Lukla. They are ready to wave goodbye to the Khumbu Valley but leave with incredible memories and a new bond as friends and adventurers.
Things have been buzzing at and above Everest Base Camp. The rope fixing team is now working well above Camp 3.
After a weekend of training on the Khumbu Icefall, several of our private climbers, including Michael K., Eva S., and Varun R., have moved up to Camp 1 in good form to start their first rotation. Many of our climbers who completed their first rotation are now eyeing their second rotation, including our Western Guided team. Below are a few photos from CTSS’s Cinematographer, Griffin Kerwin, from the first rotation to Camp 1 and Camp 2.
Our 30-Day Speed Ascender, Alyssa, arrived at Everest Base Camp and will be preparing to move higher in the coming days. Alyssa is enjoying some of Chef Emma and Kumar’s delicious (and nutritious) food. Chef Emma shared a few images of the eclectic meals they’vethey’ve been whipping up, including Scandinavian-style eggs with quinoa, pakora (Indian vegetable fritters), fried chicken, and dragon fruit for dessert.
Thank you to all of our staff, guides, and Sherpa who make each season possible.
To wrap things up today, we wanted to share a quote and video from CTSS’s Videographer, Rex Pemberton, who captured one of our favorite views of the Khumbu Icefall:
“In the darkness of the icefall, the world shrinks to the beam of your headlamp, the rhythm of your breath, the crunch of your boots on the ice.”
Rex is working with the Bouka family, who are from Madagascar and have a dream to raise their flag on the Roof of the World. Zouzar Bouka is climbing with his two sons, Rais and Raj-Alexandre, and they are ready to push their limits, honor their roots, and hopefully become the first Malagasy to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
Trekking & Giving Back in the Khumbu
All of the teams and climbers who made their way to Camp 1 and Camp 2 are now safely back at Everest Base Camp. We’re thrilled to have two successful rotations under our belt, with more rotations on the way.
Our climbers remain ready, and spirits are high at Base Camp. Thank you to Tendi Sherpa for sharing these photos of your rotation above Base Camp with a few of our climbers, including Emma Schwerin.
Our final group of Everest Base Camp trekkers has arrived at Base Camp. Today, they will participate in a beginner-friendly climbing clinic led by our talented Sherpa and guiding team.
With a little break in the action on the mountain, we wanted to share an inspiring story about giving back. Before even setting foot on the trail with our Rugged Luxury expedition, 15-year-old Ethan Ong raised over $9,200 for the Tendi Sherpa Foundation. His generosity supports education, healthcare, and livelihoods for Sherpa families across Nepal, and it sets the tone for a purposeful and memorable journey. Below are a few of the shots from Ethan’s trek to Everest Base Camp.
CTSS is committed to promoting sustainability, in all its forms, in the communities in which we climb and trek. Economic sustainability ensures that local communities benefit fairly from the mountaineering industry. This means supporting local guides, porters, and businesses by providing fair wages, investing in local infrastructure, and fostering responsible tourism that contributes to long-term economic stability.
Discover how your registration fees help empower local communities through education.
If Ethan’s story inspires you, too, to give, you can make a donation to the Tendi Sherpa Foundation here.