...First Wave...
It was a beautiful morning on the South side of Mt. Everest with our first wave of climbers (being the IFMGA teams and our Personal Sherpa climbers; as well as Austin our Camp 3 climber) have safely made it through the icefall.
As I write they are enjoying hot tea and an afternoon nap in the sun at Camp 1. Sounds quite nice doesn't it? Well deserved indeed.
Tomorrow, they will set off to tag Camp 2 before returning to Camp 1 to sleep. Also making moves in the wee hours of tomorrow is our second wave, made up of 2x of our Private Groups - With Fahad and Ossy setting off for C1 alongside Mark W and Big Tendi. Today they prepped and packed and had a rest day. They're feeling good about the adventure that lies ahead.
Meanwhile, our Western Guided/International team enjoyed an acclimatization hike up to Pumori Camp 1 and they'll have a packing, prep day tomorrow before heading uphill on the 24th. Robert our Lhotse climber will move in that wave as well as Private Team Kent & Fred.
All is well at EBC and beyond,
Cheers Caroline
...The Big House at EBC...
The talk around camp today is very much centred on the 'Big House' which has officially opened its doors to our team members as a place to unwind, watch movies, connect together as a team and drink endless cups of tea, coffee and hot chocolate. It's deserving of its nickname too at a whopping 10m across and 6m high! (33ft across by 20ft high for our friends who work in feet) Complete with carpeted floors, lounges, tables and chairs and a spectacular view - it's pretty plush. I think our biggest problem could be luring the climbers out of it to actually go climb? What do you think?
All jokes aside, many of you might ask, why? and it's a fair question. Part of our philosophy at CTSS is the belief that (yes once the training is done, the necessary experience gained and you are actually on the mountain) well-rested, happy, healthy climbers are the climbers best set up for success.
We're the first to admit it looks luxurious and indulgent, and it is, but if you are spending 2 months of your life somewhere (and really putting your body and mind to the test) don't you want to be comfortable?? We think so. Patience is a major part of the Everest game and everyone knows how much time is spent at EBC to acclimate and recuperate so we wanted to heavily invest in that environment and our climbers. We want to help them maximize their downtime and feel as at home as possible while they tackle the challenge of a lifetime. Hence the 'Big House' was born.
(Don't worry, there's plenty of time for roughing it above Camp 2!)
Aside from the grand opening, it was all about continued training today, working to become extremely comfortable and familiar with ladder crossings in crampons etc with and some vertical ice work thrown in for good measure. Practice helps to concrete those skills into second nature.
Tomorrow (22nd April) Our first wave being the IFMGA Team & Personal Sherpa Groups will head out the door before dawn on their first 3 night rotation. They'll climb to Camp 1 where they'll sleep (22nd April), then the following day (23rd April) tag Camp 2 and return to Camp 1 to sleep for a second night, before moving up to Camp 2 (24th April) to sleep a final night and return to Base Camp on the 25th.
Following in their footsteps will be 2x of our private groups - being Ossy & Fahad, Big Tendi & Mark who will leave a day later on the 23rd but follow the same 3-night rotation schedule.
Finally, on the 24th, our Western Guided/International Team led by Casey will make their move up the hill for their rotation.
Everyone is in great spirits, especially as Kumar has been making his famous, super-sized, apple pies for dessert - however, pie isn't on the menu tonight as we have a birthday to celebrate before everyone heads up the hill - Happy Birthday for tomorrow Peter Wilson -thank you for putting cake on the plate for all. Your family sent in special wishes to you too.
Speaking of good wishes, from all of us at CTSS - Happy Easter, we hope you and your families enjoy the holidays.
Cheers
Caroline
...Acclimatization Continues at EBC...
The teams are continuing their various training and acclimatization schedules with our IFMGA Team and Personal Sherpa Climbers heading up to Pumori Camp 1 today to get some elevation, stretch the legs and enjoy the views.
Our Western Guided/International Team are continuing their training and working on ladder crossings today.
Our Sherpa Team are stocking camp 1 & 2 so that the teams are in a great position to head up onto the hill over the next few days.
As promised, here's a photo of the 'Big House' dome, which is really the heart of camp and great hang out area for all of the CTSS climbers and crew.
As well as a team photo of the crew, and as Mike says "Representing 14 countries and all 6 inhabited continents, we are honored to share the mountain with this truly international team"
Cheers
Caroline
PS Wishing Chris Kulish a big Happy Birthday as well!
Guide meeting
*Featured Photo - Wayne Morris*
...The Business of Base Camp...
Hello everyone,
A relaxed day at Base Camp today with everyone going about the business of getting ready for the climb ahead.
The IFMGA Team and the Personal Sherpa Guided Clients did a dry run trek into the Icefall early this morning to start to get familiar with the route and type of climbing and to stretch their acclimatization just a little bit more.
The Western Guided/International Team did some training in the lower part of the icefall just near camp, getting some vertical in their crampons and practising ascending, rappelling etc with their big mitts on. Shaking out any cobwebs to make sure these skills are second nature up high.
Our Trekking Team & Lobuche Climbers flew safely out of Lukla today and are back in the luxury of the Yak + Yeti with most of them having a few more days up their sleeves before their flights home. Free to check out town (and enjoy as many hot showers as they like and I'm sure they'll no doubt find themselves having some massages and good meals in Thamel.
Meanwhile, the "Big House" geodesic dome was completed today. As one passerby said 'what are you guys doing? building the Eiffel Tower?' Can't wait to show you photos in the coming days (the wifi has been a bit patchy today so that's something we can look forward to showing you soon)
Wayne Morris got some cracking photos of the Puja yesterday and the moon over our camp last night too which I thought you would enjoy.
Cheers
Caroline
...Puja...
Although the team had a chilly start this morning at Basecamp (nothing that copious cups of hot coffee and Kumar's rice porridge can't fix) stunning blue skies soon warmed things up with beautiful weather for the Puja ceremony.
I can recount the activities from afar, but it's much more pertinent straight from the horse's mouth.
"We had our 3.5hr Puja this morning, followed by the sherpa crew dancing and singing. The Puja is an important prayer ceremony where expeditions pray for safe and successful passage through the mountain. Food, drinks, and offerings made out of tsampa (a grain), not unlike Buddhist offerings back in Singapore. Everyone brought our key climbing gear and placed them near the altar for blessings. Lots of chanting, tossing of rice and streaking one another’s cheeks with tsampa powder for good luck.
These Nepali sherpas and guides, who risk their lives for (and with) us as we risk ours. Such strength and pure hearts. Seeing them again across expeditions, I don’t have words to describe that kinship. I came away from the Puja covered with powder and a very very warmed heart" - CTSS Climber, PS Sim
The prayer flags are flying high and colourful and now the climbing can truly begin.
Meanwhile, lower in the valley, our Trekking Team are soaking up the thick air and their last days in the Khumbu enjoying some seriously spectacular views as they make their way down from Namche toward Lukla today.
Today we also remember and pay our respects to the Sherpa who lost their lives in the icefall tragedy of 2014.
...Life at EBC...
The whole CTSS climbing team are now settled into Basecamp which gives us the chance to post some nice photos of the last few days for you below.
The IFMGA team and the Private Sherpa Guided Climbers started their training in the lower part of the Khumbu icefall today, where it's nice and safe but still offers up some nice vertical to practice their rappelling etc. Brushing up on those skills until they become second nature particularly when wearing their big mitts etc is a great way to get active and start getting their mindset on that big goal they have in front of them.
Meanwhile, our Western Guided/International Team got further settled into camp life, and took a rest day today, they'll start their training schedule tomorrow.
Our Trekking Team are down to Namche and will head to Lukla tomorrow. They'll be enjoying seeing the greenery and having thick, lush air in their lungs.
Our Sherpa are finishing the “Big House” today, an enormous geodesic dome which will be the hangout heart of our basecamp complete with heaters, air lounges and of course a projector and screen for movie nights! They are also fetching some loads from Gorak Shep, and separating gear to carry to c1 and c2 over the next few days.
Tomorrow is our Puja Ceremony; this is a sacred ceremony that has deep meaning to the Sherpa and the climbers alike and is a vital part of any successful Mt. Everest expedition. It can't be held on just any day, the day must be an auspicious day chosen by the High Lama who will come to bless the expedition and the team. The purpose of the Puja is to make contact with the divine Sagamartha (which means "Goddess of the Sky") and pray for safe passage.
Hours of enthusiastic preparation go into a Puja, from the day being selected, ensuring the whole team is together, to moving the hundreds of rocks to make a cairn, which is decked with cloth and a long pole. From tomorrow it will fly long strings of prayer flags above camp.
Our climbers will bring their crampons, ice axes and other items to be blessed, lean them against the cairn for the ceremony. At the end of the Puja, rice and flour are thrown. It is a way of showing our respect to the mountain we are about to climb and the culture of the people on who's land we meet, but also this deeply touching ritual bonds the team together as one bigger family.
On a more sombre, but important note, as tomorrow is the 18th of April no one will pass into the icefall as a memorial to the Sherpa who died in the icefall avalanche of 2014.
Cheers
Caroline
Bye Lobuche Basecamp - onto EBC!
You call that a pie? This is a pie!
...Rolling in to EBC...
More of the team arriving into EBC today with the Western Guided/International Team & our Lhotse climber Robert K arriving
Meanwhile, the Trekking Team & Lobuche Climbers have waved their goodbyes to the rest of the team and set off down the valley for Pheriche to begin their trek out of the valley. They've had a special few days up at Basecamp and are no doubt looking forward to telling you all their stories.
Congratulations to Fahad who summited Lobuche tonday and will come into EBC tomorrow.
Most of the team getting settled in today, unpacking that duffel bags and having a rest day. They will begin to do some training/refresh courses over the coming days.
Will keep you in the loop,
Cheers
Caroline
...Basecamp Bliss...
Welcoming much of the CTSS team into Base Camp today with our IFMGA Team reaching camp just a few hours ago along with private clients Mark W & Kent S.
Meanwhile, our Trekking Team have enjoyed their headstart on the camp facilities and slept well, enjoying their first hot showers in 5 days today. They hiked up lookout out point yesterday and a few ventured up Kala Pattar this morning. They are heading for a walk in the safe, lower part of the icefall this afternoon. Tomorrow they'll start their way back down the valley to Pheriche.
The Western Guided/International Team took a rest day at Lobuche Basecamp today and are coming into EBC tomorrow, they might pass our trekkers on their way up.
Fahad and Ossie are positioned at Lobuche High Camp ready to go for the summit tomorrow, before a rest day and then the journey into EBC to join the rest of the climbers the following day.
Our Lhotse climber Robert is also now making his way up the valley toward Basecamp.
In coming days, I'll share more photos of the CTSS set up, we've gone all out this year to ensure everyone is comfortable, happy and well fed. Think 3x insulated dining hall tents, multiple hot showers, double room full Western-style WC bathrooms, a geodesic dome hang out tent, a massive catering kitchen and a communications tent that rivals any boardroom.
As for our insulated, carpeted, heated, humidified & powered Everest Executive tents, I'll give you a sneak peek inside the bedroom of one and you can decide for yourself whether or not you'd want to move in... #EverestGlamping
Cheers
Caroline
Photo Marisha McDowell
Tendi in the Comms tent - Photo Marisha McDowell
...More Lobuche Summits...
Hello everyone - hope you are all well back home.
News from the Khumbu.
Our IFMGA Team including our Lobuche climbers enjoyed a rest day today at Lobuche Basecamp and they'll head up to Everest Base Camp tomorrow
Our Western Guided & International crew did an amazing job summitting Lobuche today (in an amazing time of 5hrs!) with everyone who left camp topping out and arriving back today. Congratulations all.
Speaking of summits, we also had our Cholatse Team summit Lobuche today, they'll head into Cholatse Base Camp tomorrow.
Private client Mark W and Big Tendi headed up high today and will go for the summit tomorrow. Meanwhile, Fahad and Ossie are acclimatizing, they may have another rest day or head to high camp and Kent & Fred are continuing their acclimatization schedule at Lobuche Basecamp.
Our Trekking Team moved up from Gorak Shep and have just arrived into Everest Basecamp now. They'll be thrilled to hit their goal and as the first CTSS arrivals into EBC, check out the new digs.
As you may have heard, there is tragic news from Lukla today with a Summit Air plane (with flight crew aboard returning to Ramechhap) crashing into a parked Manang helicopter during its takeoff roll this morning around 9am. Witnesses described the "moment as sudden, with the rudder looking like it locked leading to the collision" We are sending our deepest condolences and our deepest wishes to the families and loved ones of those 2 who were killed (Summit Air’s co-pilot Sujit Dhungana and Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police Ram Bahadur Khadka who was stationed in Lukla for airport security) and the 5 injured (including Manang Air Pilot CB Gurung) who are currently being treated in Kathmandu Grande Hospital. None of our team were directly affected by the accident as we are much higher in the valley but obviously deeply saddened by the news and sending their wishes and prayers.
I'll keep you up to date with their progress.
Best wishes,
Caroline
Photo by Wayne Morris on the Lobuche climb
...First Lobuche Summits...
Hello everyone,
Great news from the various teams in the Himalaya.
The IFMGA Sherpa Guided Team & Our Lobuche Team summited Lobuche in great weather this morning with everyone who set off for the summit achieving their goal and returning to base camp safely.
They had nice, stable weather for climbing and by all reports a really enjoyable climb. They will take a rest day tomorrow at Lobuche Base Camp before heading up to Everest Base Camp the following day.
Meanwhile, our Western & International Guide Team led by Casey Grom, our Cholatse Team (Guided by Jeremiah Phelps) and a number of our private clients including Fahad (Guided by Ossie) and Mark W have moved up to High Camp and will head out for the summit in the early hours of tomorrow. They will return to Base Camp tomorrow afternoon, enjoy a rest day on the 15th and move to Everest Base Camp the following day.
Our Trekking Team led by Josh McDowell are ahead of them all having moved up to Gorak Shep. They'll reach their goal tomorrow, being the first of the CTSS team to arrive at Everest Base Camp where they'll spend 2 full nights.
A big Happy Birthday to Wayne Morris for tomorrow, with special well-wishes sent by his family and relayed over the satellite phone.
I'll continue to keep you updated,
Cheers
Caroline
