...Moscow Wrap...
And that's a wrap for this seasons' first Elbrus trip with the team celebrating in Moscow by doing a walking tour, checking out Red Square and St. Basils and topping it off with a celebratory dinner.
Everyone is now safely on their respective flights home with a successful summit under their belts. Well done team, what a great trip!
Cheers
Caroline
...100% on Top of Elbrus...
Great news fresh from Russia - everyone stood on top today in perfect weather! Congratulations to them all! 4 of them even skied off the summit!
They are all back down safely to the huts and having a hearty lunch as I type. They'll rest up there tonight and drop back down to the valley in the morning to enjoy a traditional Russian Banya spa and a well deserved day off before heading to Moscow to end the adventure on a cultural note.
A little honourable mention goes out to Mike's on his 21st expedition to Elbrus, with 21x summits so a pretty smooth success rate going on there!
Cheers Caroline
...Pastukhov Rocks...
Hi everyone,
The team are currently out and about, seizing the day and climbing up to Pastukhov Rocks as part of their acclimatization.
They'll tag a new high point and then drop back down for a nice relaxed afternoon, a good meal and early night in the huts.
If the weather looks promising they'll have a short night tonight interrupted by a very early wakeup call to start on their summit climb.
If their smiles are anything to go by, I'd say they're having a "terrible time suffering up there"!!
Cheers
Caroline
...Snow School on Elbrus...
Yesterday the team went up to the base of the mountain to do an acclimatization day/snow school to get some more height and create more of those precious red blood cells and spend a few hours learning, reinforcing and honing the technical skills needed for the climb ahead. They then dropped back down to Terskol village for a good night's sleep. Mission accomplished with lots of smiles! (as you can see)
Today the team are waking up, having a hearty breakfast and heading back uphill where they will move up to the mountain huts and do a short acclimatization climb. All eyes on the weather for the summit climb to begin.
Best,
Caroline
...Elbrus Acclimatization...
Making the most of the beautiful weather in the Valley the team have been doing acclimatization hikes about 3000ft up the Cheget ski field from Terskol village which gave them some spectacular views of Elbrus and the region.
Today it's up the mountain to do snow school and have a bit of a shakeout of their equipment and reinforce those mountaineering skills (self - arrest and ice axe use, cramponing, fixed line climbing etc) all whilst getting more of that precious acclimatization time. Tonight they will return back down the valley to the hotel to sleep low for a final night before they move to the huts on the mountain.
Soon the climb itself will be underway!
Photos by Len Forkas and Kevin Adler
...Elbrus Underway...
Our team have all now flown into the gorgeous city of St. Petersburg. Yesterday they shook off the jetlag with a city tour, taking in the most famous landmarks including St. Isaacs Cathedral, the Church of Spilled Blood and of course the Hermitage.
One of the best ways to get around and see the city is the boat tour which gives everyone a front seat view of some of the best sites of the city.
Today they are waking up and heading to the airport for their morning flight to the valley where their acclimatization and adventure begins!
Cheers
Caroline
...In Tribute to Chris Kulish...
We are deeply saddened to acknowledge the tragic passing of valued Everest team member and experienced mountaineer Christopher Kulish, 62 from Colorado in the United States.
Chris passed away in his tent suddenly on the afternoon of 27th May 2019 at the South Col after successfully reaching the summit of Mt. Everest, thus completing his long-held goal of the 'Seven Summits’ - the highest peak on each continent.
Chris climbed strongly throughout summit day in a small team with no crowds and in good weather. He was in good spirits throughout the climb and following his arrival back at the South Col.
Initial assessment suggest the cause of death was cardiac arrest however this is unconfirmed. Emergency first aid and rescue procedure were administered at the scene but failed to revive him.
Chris was a quintessential lifelong climber who had been mountaineering since he was a teenager. We are proud to have had him as part of our team and are deeply saddened and shocked by his passing. Our focus is in supporting his loved ones during this unimaginably difficult time and we ask for your assistance in this by respecting their privacy.
...CTSS Everest Season Overview...
UPDATE: May 29th
We are deeply saddened to acknowledge the tragic passing of valued Everest team member and experienced mountaineer Christopher Kulish, 62 from Colorado in the United States.
Chris passed away in his tent suddenly on the afternoon of 27th May 2019 at the South Col after successfully reaching the summit of Mt. Everest, thus completing his long-held goal of the ‘Seven Summits’ – the highest peak on each continent.
Chris was a quintessential lifelong climber who had been mountaineering since he was a teenager. We are proud to have had him as part of our team and are deeply saddened and shocked by his passing. Our focus is in supporting his loved ones during this unimaginably difficult time and we ask for your assistance in this by respecting their privacy.
CTSS Team & Kulish Family
2019 Summiteers:
Clients:
Christopher Kulish - USA (Completed the Seven Summits)
Mrika Nikqi - Kosovo
Arianit Nikqi - Kosovo
Ignacio Montesinos - Argentina
Ed Dohring - USA (Speed Ascent in less than 1 month)
Mariam Ktiri - Morocco (Everest/Lhotse Double Header - Completed the 7 Summits in one year)
Fahad Badar - Qatar - (Everest/Lhotse Double Header)
Peter Wilson - Australia
Tracey Walters - USA
Bruce Graham - USA
Bill Baringer - USA
Richard Wilson - United Kingdom
Wayne Morris - United Kingdom (Completed the 7 Summits)
Noriyuki Ishikawa - Japan
Phei Sunn Sim - Singapore
Aditi Vaidya - India
Anuja Vaidya - India
Juarez Gustavo Soares - Brazil
Mark Wilkins - USA
CTSS Guides:
Guide Casey Grom - USA
Guide Tomas Ceppi - Argentina
Guide Oswaldo Freire - Ecuador
2019 CTSS Sherpa Team Summits:
Tendi Sherpa - Gudel, Nepal
Tenji Sherpa - Gudel, Nepal
Dawa Tenji Sherpa - Yafu-Khembalung, Nepal
Pasang Tendi Sherpa -Yafu-Khembalung, Nepal
Palden Nima Sherpa - Yafu-Khembalung, Nepal
Pasag Gyaljen Sherpa - Juving, Nepal
Doma Chhiri Sherpa - Juving, Nepal
Lhakpa Dorje Thapa Magar - Juving, Nepal
Ang Phurba Sherpa - Juving, Nepal
Ngima Tendi Sherpa - Juving, Nepal
Pemba Gyalje Sherpa -Juving, Nepal
Pasang Gelu Sherpa - Waku, Nepal
Phura Gyaljen Sherpa - Waku Nepal (summited twice in 5 days)
Dendi Sherpa - Waku, Nepal
Da Chhongba Sherpa- Waku, Nepal
Sonam Chhiring Sherpa- Waku, Nepal
Naru Jangbu Sherpa- Bung, Nepal
Pema Sherpa -Waku, Nepal
Lhakpa Sherpa -Waku, Nepal
Kumar Khadka - Nepal
Sonam Jangbu Sherpa - Thame, Nepal
Ang Chhiring Sherpa - Pangboche, Nepal
Mingma Dorjee Sherpa - Pangboche, Nepal
Namgyal Dorje - Pangboche, Nepal
Sonam Phinjo - Pangboche, Nepal
Kusang Dorje - Pangboche, Nepal
Pemba Dorje Sherpa - Pangboche, Nepal
Asman Tamang - Gorakhani, Nepal
Pasang Sherpa - Thaksindu, Nepal
Sonam Chhiring Bhote - Sankhuwasava, Nepal
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...100% the Summit...
Hello Everyone,
Welcome to our Second Wave as such - being our Western Guided/International Team - I'll keep this blog post updated as they now progress on their summit bid.
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5pm - May 27th (Kathmandu Time)
A quick update to let you know we've heard from everyone and all safe and sound. Casey is back at Camp 2 with Niti & Mrika and will return to Base Camp tomorrow.
Guide Tommi is at the South Col with Chris & Ignacio - they'll rest there tonight and drop down to Camp 2 or all the way through to Base Camp tomorrow. We'll keep you updated. ____________________________________________
6:55am - May 27th (Kathmandu Time)
SUMMIT NEWS! Everyone in Second Wave have summited! Congratulations to:
Mrika Nikqi - Kosovo
Arianit Nikqi - Kosovo
Ignacio Montesinos - Argentina
Christopher Kulish - USA
CTSS Guides:
Guide Casey Grom - USA
Guide Tomas Ceppi - Argentina
Guide Parkash Sherpa - Nepal
CTSS Sherpa:
Phura Gyaljen Sherpa
Sonam Chhiring sherpa
Da Chhongba Sherpa
Nuru Jangbu Sherpa
Lhakpa Sherpa
Pema Sherpa
Kumar Khadka
They will now put their heads down and focus on a safe and steady descent. We will let you know when they return to the South Col.
Expedition Leader Mike Hamill on the Radio with CTSS Guide Casey Grom checking in with his team from the Summit of Everest - 26th May 2019
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6:40am - May 27th (Kathmandu Time)
SUMMIT NEWS! Climbers Igancio and Guide Tommi are on top of Everest right now... Congratulations!
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6:10am - May 27th (Kathmandu Time)
SUMMIT NEWS! Climbers Niti, Mrika are on the Summit of Everest right now with Prakash & Lhakpa... Congratulations! More to come...
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4:50am - May 27th (Kathmandu Time)
Great news from the upper mountain, the team are around the South Summit (where they do an oxygen change over) and are reporting no traffic, very little, if any, wind and perfect climbing conditions. All safe and progressing very well.
Guide Casey is with Niti & Mrika just above the South Summit on the Cornice Traverse heading toward the Hillary Step, Ignacio and Guide Tommi are on the South Summit currently, and Chris & Prakash Sherpa are just about to come up onto the South Summit now.
Every one moving strongly. Stay tuned!
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9pm - May 26th (Kathmandu Time)
Our Western Guided/International team are off and have left the South Col for the summit in good weather just after 9pm local time.
They are reporting no crowds and good climbing conditions.
The plan is to be on top after sunrise.
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11am - May 26th (Kathmandu Time)
Our Western Guided/International team are on their way up to the South Col as I type, they will be arriving imminently to rest up and recuperate before heading out tonight for the summit bid.
We are all eyes on the weather forecast down at Base Camp and it looks really positive with a totally uncrowded peak, a well-trodden route, lots of Sherpa support and oxygen not to mention a strong team.
We have told them to conserve radio battery in the cold, so remember no news is good news. I'll keep you updated on their climb!
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May 25th
They are currently climbing the Lhotse Face and are halfway up to Camp 3 where they'll stay tonight before moving to the South Col (Camp 4) tomorrow.
It's a little windy on the face today but certainly some of the clearest weather we've seen the whole season. Their patience and persistence have put them in a great position with the record level crowds having dispersed and the route well and truly kicked in which will see them move quickly and therefore more safely.
They're aiming for a summit on the 27th of May and will then drop quickly back down to Base Camp and be on their way home to you all.
Meanwhile, Speed Ascent Private Team Ed and Guide Tendi should be back in Base Camp within the hour in time for a celebratory feast!
Speaking of celebrations, a couple of records worth mentioning:
Congratulations to Fahad and Mariam who became the first Arabs to complete the Everest/Lhotse combo in one push, with Mariam becoming the first Moroccan to Lhtose Lhotse and Fahad becoming the first Qatari to do so.
She is also the first Moroccan and Arab to complete the Seven Summits within a year!
Big congratulations also to Wayne Morris who with his Everest summit has also joined the Seven Summits Club. Nice work!
Cheers
Caroline
...Rolling Everest/Lhotse Summits 2019...
CTSS Everest 2019 Client Summits:
27th May - 100% of today's climbers on the summit!
Congratulations to Everest summiteers:
Clients:
Mrika Nikqi - Kosovo
Arianit Nikqi - Kosovo
Ignacio Montesinos - Argentina
Christopher Kulish - USA
Guides:
Guide Casey Grom - USA
Guide Tomas Ceppi - Argentina
Guide Parkash Sherpa - Nepal
CTSS Sherpa Team:
Phura Gyaljen Sherpa
Sonam Chhiring Sherpa
Da Chhongba Sherpa
Nuru Jangbu Sherpa
Lhakpa Sherpa
Pema Sherpa
Kumar Khadka
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23rd May - 100% of today's climbers successful!
Congratulations to both our Speed Ascent Everest Climber & to our entire Lhotse/Everest Combo team who stood atop of Lhotse this morning after a successful Everest summit yesterday morning.
Congratulations to Everest summiteers:
Ed Dohring - USA
Guide Tendi Sherpa - Nepal
& Everest/Lhotse Combo summiteers:
Mariam Ktiri - Morocco (living in Switzerland) - Completed the 7 Summits in one year and the Everest/Lhotse combo
Fahad Badar - Qatar - Completed the Everest/Lhotse Combo
CTSS Guide Oswaldo Freire - Ecuador
Kami Sherpa & Namgyal Sherpa - Nepal
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22nd May - 100% of the climbers who left camp this morning on their summit bids have been successful. With 14/14 clients on top and 25 Sherpa making the total CTSS summit wave today 39/39
Congratulations to the following clients:
Peter Wilson - Australia
Tracey Walters - USA
Bruce Graham - USA
Bill Baringer - USA
Richard Wilson - United Kingdom
Wayne Morris - United Kingdom - Completed the 7 Summits
Bill Baringer - USA
Noriyuki Ishikawa - Japan
Phei Sunn Sim - Singapore
Aditi Vaidya - India
Anuja Vaidya - India
Juarez Gustavo Soares - Brazil
Mariam Ktiri -Morocco (living in Switzerland)
Fahad Badar - Qatar with Private Guide Oswaldo Freire (Ecuador)
& to our 25x incredibly strong and dedicated Sherpa
15th May 2019
Mark Wilkins - USA + 2 Sherpa