...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
...Progress Reports - Summits & Safe Descents... (23rd May)
Hi Everyone,
Welcome to our progress report, I'm going to continue to update this particular blog post with the movements of our teams on the mountain and their summit bids. Please check back regularly for the latest news.
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4pm - 23rd May 2019 (Kathmandu Time)
Our May 22nd Summit team are back at Base Camp after their grand adventure, safe and sound and successful. Time to celebrate.
Ed and Guide Tendi Sherpa are at the South Col resting and our Lhotse/Everest combo climbers are at Camp 3 allowing the crowds on the fixed lines to disperse a little before dropping down to Camp 2 for the night.
Our Western Guided Team are also at Camp 2 poised and awaiting their summit window.
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Noon - 23rd May 2019 (Kathmandu Time)
Congratulations to our Private Speed Ascent Climber Ed Dohring and Guide Tendi Sherpa who summited Everest today and are safely back at the South Col.
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8:30am - 23rd May 2019 (Kathmandu Time)
Good morning! Wonderful news, our Everest/Lhotse Combo climbers are currently standing on top of Lhotse having summited Everest yesterday! Congratulations to clients Mariam Ktiri & Fahad Badar who have become the first Arabs to complete the combo - along with Guide Oswaldo Freire, Kami Sherpa & Namgyal Sherpa who join the roughly 30 odd people who have achieved the feat! They said it was windy and cold up there so they will put their energy into descending. What a huge and phenomenal effort and success - Congratulations!
Our Private Speed Ascent climber Ed and Guide Tendi Sherpa are climbing safely and doing well. We have tentative reports they have summited and are descending (However, radio communication is a little tricky today with the wind gusts so we'll keep you updated with further details as they come to hand)
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8pm - 22nd May 2019 (Kathmandu Time)
Good evening everyone, our Speed Ascent Private Team Ed and Guide Tendi are on their way, having left the South Col en route to the summit.
As a small, two-man team, they'll be able to move efficiently and nimbly and make the most of the weather which is holding well.
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1pm - 22nd May 2019 (Kathmandu Time)
From Mike Hamill: "Incredible day here on Mt Everest! All members are now back at the South Col or within spitting distance. 100% on top today and 100% summit success for the season so far for CTSS climbers with 14/14 climbers on top today and 1/1 on the 15th. Plus we’ve had 27 Sherpa Summits so far making a grand total of 42 total Summits this season (we’re waiting for a complete list of Sherpa Summits).
I can’t begin to express how impressed I am with our team- both the climbers and Sherpa, that they’ve had the strength and persistence to climb so well. Some climbers already heading down to C2 - Great news from the upper mountain and amazing work to the entire crew!
Still more Summits to come this season"
Client Summits:
Peter Wilson - Australia
Tracey Walters - USA
Bruce Graham - USA
Bill Baringer - USA
Richard Wilson - United Kingdom
Wayne Morris - United Kingdom - (finishing 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 - Morroco (living in Switzerland - has completed the 7 summits in one year and the Everest/Lhotse Combo)
Fahad Badar - Qatar with Private Guide Oswaldo Freire (Ecuador) - Completed the Everest/Lhotse Combo becoming the first Qatari to climb Lhotse
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11am - 22nd May 2019 (Kathmandu Time)
Safely returning to the South Col post-Summit
Everyone in first wave is now returning safely to the South Col or are already there enjoying a well-deserved rest and time to recuperate with the possibility of dropping down to Camp 2 this afternoon.
More details to come.
Meanwhile, Private Speed Ascent Team Ed & Guide Tendi are up at the South Col readying for their summit bid tonight and the Western Guided Team are holding at Camp 2 ready to pounce on the next weather window.
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5am - 22nd May 2019 (Kathmandu Time)
Great News - The team have summited!!
Everyone in first wave is safe and are now descending, we will report the specifics when every one is safely back down to the South Col but for now you can breathe out! They've done fantastically well and will keep their heads in the game until they're back down to Camp 4
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1:20am - 22nd May 2019 (Kathmandu Time)
Private Team Fahad with Guide Ossy are now at the South Summit (28,500ft | 8,534m) and climbing strongly with the rest of the teams coming up not far behind them.
Moving well in good conditions up there. From here, it's only a few hours up past the Hillary Step and onto the Top of the World...
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11pm - 21st May 2019 (Kathmandu time)
The lead team of climbers reached and passed The Balcony at (27,500ft | 8,382m) and are climbing strongly and reporting good climbing conditions... From here they'll head West up the ridge to the next landmark we'll report being the South Summit.
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6pm - 21st May 2019 (Kathmandu time)
Good evening everyone - Our first Summit Wave is off and departing the South Col now (including the IFMGA Sherpa team, Private IFMGA Sherpa climbers & Personal Sherpa climbers as well as Private Team Fahad and Guide Ossy & Everest/Lhotse Combo Climber Mariam) they'll climb through the night tonight, hoping to make the summit early tomorrow morning.
We'll keep you updated with their climb as they hit major landmarks and the night progresses.
Mike is hunkered down in the comms tent glued to the radio and the forecast for the night.
Also a big congratulations to Kami Rita Sherpa who has broken his own record for the second time in a week with the most Everest Summits at 24x!
Our Western Guided Team took a rest day at Camp 2 today and Speed Ascent Private Climber Ed & Tendi moved up to Camp 3
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9am - 21st May 2019 (Kathmandu time)
Everyone in Summit Wave 1 (including the IFMGA Sherpa team, Private IFMGA Sherpa climbers & Personal Sherpa climbers as well as Private Team Fahad and Guide Ossy) rested well up at Camp 4 overnight on oxygen and are feeling strong today. We are happy with that decision as the forecast is more in our favour now with winds dropping a little in what has been a tricky 'open and closed again' window due to a temperamental/jumpy jet stream.
Mariam our Everest/Lhotse combo climber is moving up to the South Col today and will head out with the rest of the team tonight on her Everest summit bid.
Our Western Guided team and Speed Ascent Private Climber Ed will either take a rest day at Camp 2 or move up the Lhotse face to Camp 3 today.
Best wishes,
Caroline
...Holding at the Col...
Good evening everyone,
A quick update for you to let you know that the team at the South Col are going to hold there for the day due to high winds.
They will continue to rest and let the winds die down a little and commence their bid tomorrow.
Cheers
Caroline
...First Wave at South Col...
Hello everyone,
Great news! Our first wave of climbers (including the IFMGA Sherpa team, Private IFMGA Sherpa climbers & Personal Sherpa climbers as well as Private Team Fahad and Guide Ossy) are at the South Col (Camp 4 at 7,906m | 25,938 ft) resting up having made their way up from Camp 3 today.
They'll catch a very well-deserved nap on oxygen and fuel up with a hearty hot meal. If the winds are on our side they will commence their summit bid later this evening, climbing through the night with the goal of summiting tomorrow morning (their time). We'll keep you updated as to whether they head out for the summit or hold at the South Col if winds look high in a few hours.
Mariam our Everest/Lhotse combo climber has moved up from Camp 2 to Camp 3 today, our Western Guided team came up from Camp 1 and are all now resting at Camp 2 along with Speed Ascent Private Climber Ed with Guide Tendi. Tomorrow, the plan is for them to move up the Lhotse face to Camp 3.
Exciting times,
Cheers
Caroline
...Uphill Motion...
Hello Everyone,
Solid progress on the hill today and all going swimmingly well. (Perhaps that isn't the best adjective given the team are doing the opposite of swimming!?)
Our First Wave of Climbers (including the IFMGA Sherpa team, Private IFMGA Sherpa climbers & Personal Sherpa climbers as well as Private Team Fahad and Guide Ossy) moved up the Lhotse Face to Camp 3 today where they are all resting on oxygen. That steady flow of Os will give them a really good nights' sleep so that their bodies are well prepped for the big days ahead. Tomorrow they will move on up to the South Col.
Mariam our Everest/Lhotse combo climber moved up from Camp 1 up to Camp 2 and our Second Wave; (being our Western Guided team & our Private Speed Ascent Team; Ed and Tendi) left Base Camp before dawn, climbed through the icefall and have safely arrived in Camp 1. (Ed and Tendi moved straight through to Camp 2)
Everyone doing extremely well and we are really pleased with their strength and climbing style. While Base Camp is feeling very quiet we are looking forward to plenty of excitement as our team's progress in their summit bids!
Stay tuned,
Cheers
Caroline
Feature Image: Wayne Morris
...All on track...
Hi Everyone,
Just a quick one today to report that everyone is doing well - those in Wave 1 (IFMGA team & IFMGA Private Sherpa, Private teams etc) are doing great. Those who moved straight through to Camp 2 yesterday took a full rest day today while those who stayed at Camp 1 overnight are currently making their way to Camp 2 for the evening where they will rendezvous.
Our Everest/Lhotse climber Mariam started her journey today, leaving camp early this morning and moving up through the ice fall and our second wave being our Western Guided/International team and our Speed Ascent private climber, Ed, are prepping in Base Camp ahead of their upcoming summit bid.
Windy up high today but there does look to be some good summit opportunities on the horizon. We're watching that forecast like hawks and continually planning and fine-tuning the best strategy to see our team/s on top of the world shortly.
Meanwhile, transported to another world entirely our successful Private summiteer Mark Wilkins is back in Kathmandu enjoying an oxygen overload and a well-deserved celebration and we wish him and Jennifer a safe onward journey home.
Cheers
Caroline
...It's Time...First Summit Bid Wave Heads Uphill...
Hello Everyone,
Heading out of Base Camp at the crack of dawn this morning for their summit bid climb was our IFMGA Team/s, Private Team Fahad & Guide Ossy and our Personal Sherpa climbers. They are all safely resting up (in either Camp One with a few busting all the way through to Camp Two and then they will regroup altogether tomorrow)
Exciting times ahead as they start their journey to the top of the world and take advantage of that weather window and we are wishing them the best of luck.
Our Western/International Guided Team are not far behind them, prepping today alongside Speed Ascent Private Ed Dohring and his Guide Tendi Sherpa.
Meanwhile, returning from their successful and safe summit (and wearing a big smile) is Mark Wilkins and his Guide Big Tendi. Congratulations guys and welcome back to the luxury of Base Camp - you'll eat and sleep well tonight.
We'll keep you updated on the team's progress as it happens.
Cheers
Caroline
*Feature Image; Wayne Morris
...Big House Bash...
There's plenty to celebrate at 5,300m (and any excuse is a good excuse to get together with friends) - the ropes are fixed, the summit route is now open and CTSS's Mark Wilkins along with Big Tendi and Tenji stood on top of the world yesterday. Further, it looks like there's a good summit window on the horizon so did we need any more reasons to throw a big party? Nope, so that's exactly what we did.
The 'Big House Bash' was all about bringing together the wider Everest community with good food, G&Ts and even a bit of Sherpa dancing as a way of staying connected. (I think we had about 80 or more people join us)
As PS Sim from Singapore recounted "Mike threw a great party for our crew and the community in our big CTSS dome. Climbing legends galore - from international renowned guides to superlative local sirdars, and rock star Sherpas. I’m sure the combined number of Everest summits and Adventure Grand Slam circuits (7summits and two Poles) in the tent was off the charts! Lots of laughter & connections, Sherpa singing and dancing, plus booze and food. Great morale booster for the day!"
Thanks to everyone who made the effort to come up to our Camp.
To finish, a quick update from the hill - Mark & Tendi are just above Camp 3 making their way down to Camp 2 today where they will rest and come back to Base Camp tomorrow - Might have to have another party to celebrate!
Cheers
Caroline
