With our Western Guided team resting and enjoying Everest Base Camp, it was time for many private climbers to take their first spin on the upper mountain. Climbers tagged Camp 2 earlier today and are returning to Camp 1 for the evening before making their way back to Base Camp tomorrow. Below are a few shots from Nani Stahringer, who is our lead guide for the Western Guided team, above Base Camp. 

Today, our final team of Everest Base Camp trekkers arrived at camp and are ready to kick back and relax in our Big House. Tomorrow, they get a taste of what it feels like to be an Everest climber when they partake in a beginner-friendly ice climbing clinic at the foot of the Khumbu Glacier. If you’ve been following along, you might have noticed that this beginner-friendly clinic is a staple on both our Rugged Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek & Stay and our spring-season Everest Base Camp Trek & Stay. We want all of our trekkers to walk away having had the experience of a lifetime that goes above and beyond their expectations.

And finally, today, we want to share a few photos from our Lobuche East climber, Kae, who has been making the most of her time in the Khumbu. These images capture the essence of so many of our favorite things, from the Puja ceremony to skills training, with lots of smiles and laughs in between. Thank you, Kae, for sharing:

Dr. Brenton isn’t just a doctor—he’s also an educator. As a Senior Lecturer in Healthcare in Remote and Extreme Environments at the University of Tasmania, he’s actively involved in training the next generation of expedition medics, preparing them for the unique challenges of practicing medicine in the world’s most isolated and high-risk locations. His background also includes research in high-altitude medicine, contributing to publications that help improve the safety of climbers worldwide.

CTSS founder Mike Hamill sums up Dr. Brenton’s expertise best:

“Dr. Brenton is one of the most experienced high-altitude doctors in the world. Having someone like him lead Kilimanjaro trips for us, not just as a doctor but as a true mountain professional, is exactly what sets CTSS apart. His knowledge of high-altitude mountaineering and physiology is second to none, ensuring our climbers have the best possible support—both for their success and their safety.”

When he’s not guiding or practicing medicine, you’ll likely find Dr. Brenton backcountry skiing, trail running, or road cycling—always training for the next adventure. Although his career has taken him many places, Dr. Brenton’s passion remains the same: helping people explore the mountains safely and with confidence. This is precisely why Dr. Brenton is leading our upcoming December and January Kilimanjaro team departures, including our newly launched Masters Mountaineering program. This expedition is tailored towards climbers 50 and older who want to take on a major peak with the right pace, structure, and support.

Masters Mountaineering Climb With Dr. Brenton

Our Masters Mountaineering climbs are designed to give older climbers the best chance of success by allowing more time for acclimatization, building in extra support, and maintaining a steady, sustainable pace. Many climbers don’t start their mountaineering journey until their 50s or 60s, and with the right approach, it’s entirely possible to take on big mountains well into your later years. What makes this climb even more unique is having Dr. Brenton on your team.

His deep expertise in high-altitude physiology, acclimatization, and injury prevention ensures that climbers aren’t just pushing their limits but doing so safely. Whether it’s managing pre-existing conditions, optimizing nutrition and hydration, or recognizing early signs of altitude illness, Dr. Brenton’s presence adds an invaluable layer of security and knowledge to the expedition.

If you’re considering an adventure like this but aren’t sure where to start, join us for our Masters Mountaineering: Climbing After 50 webinar in March. Our experts will cover training, pacing, acclimatization, and injury prevention—everything you need to take on big mountains with confidence.

Our first rotation to Camp 2 is in full swing for many of our climbers at Everest Base Camp. The Western Guided team, who spent a few nights at Camp 1 and tagged Camp 2, are now back at Everest Base Camp resting and recharging before their next rotation. We have private climbers at Camp 1 now and are looking to tag Camp 2 as part of their acclimatization process.

Below are a few shots from the Bouka family, who arrived at Everest Base Camp yesterday. With their arrival, almost all of our Everest Climbers are at Base Camp; we have a few Speed Ascenders still coming up the Khumbu Valley. These remaining teams and climbers will begin their rotations on Everest shortly.

Our final team of Everest Base Camp trekkers arrived in Gorak Shep today. This is the final village before reaching the outskirts of Everest Base Camp. Tomorrow, they will climb Kalapattar and make the trek to Everest Base Camp, where they will be rewarded with incredible food, sights, and energy.

Today, we want to highlight one of our Rugged Luxury trekkers, 15-year-old Ethan Ong, who joined us this season for the journey of a lifetime to Everest Base Camp. Ethan raised over $9,200 for the Tendi Sherpa Foundation before setting foot on the trail. His generosity supports education, healthcare, and livelihoods for Sherpa families across Nepal, setting the tone for a purposeful and memorable experience. Below are a few photos of Ethan and Tendi Sherpa from the Khumbu.

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.

Here’s what our teams are up to in the Khumbu today:

Our Western Guided team is doing well on their rotation. They successfully tagged Camp 2 today before retreating to Camp 1 to sleep. Several of our private climbers will be headed to Camp 1 this evening.

Otherwise, we have more private climbers who are acclimatizing and practicing their skills. Thank you to climber Eva Steinwald, who, at 62, is aiming to climb all Seven Summits by the age of 70. Eva took part in our Masters Mountaineering webinar, and we are excited to follow along as she sets her sights on summiting Everest this season.

We have one team, the Bouka family, arriving at Everest Base Camp today. They will no doubt enjoy the comforts of our luxury camp.

Further down the Khumbu, our second team of Everest Base Camp trekkers is at Lobuche Base Camp. Today, they took an acclimatization hike to Lobuche High Camp before returning to Base Camp for the evening.

And finally, our 30-Day Speed Ascender, Rick, is moving up from Pheriche and will be at Everest Base Camp in the coming days.

Below are a few shots from CTSS’s Cinematographer Griffin Kerwin, who has truly captured the spirit of the Khumbu and Everest in his photos.

Updates from the Khumbu Valley, Nepal:

Everest rotations are underway! Our Western Guided team has ascended to Camp 1 today, and they plan to tag Camp 2 tomorrow. Our private climbers, including our 40-day and 30-day speed ascenders, will start taking their rotations shortly. Many of our private climbers are on a schedule similar to our Westerner Guided team, while others have just arrived at Everest Base Camp to begin skills sessions and acclimatization.

As we mentioned last week, our 3 Peaks team made a strong effort on Island Peak but turned back below the summit. It was a beautiful morning for a climb, and lots of fun was had. Check out the images from CTSS Guides Porter and Phunjo:

Our second team of Everest Base Camp trekkers are now in Lobuche Base Camp. They will join our climbers at Everest Base Camp in just a few short days for their two-night stay at a beginner-friendly climbing clinic.

Our first Everest Base Camp trekking team has safely landed back in Kathmandu with memories to last a lifetime. Thank you to guide Kat and the amazing team for such an incredible journey.

Here are a few more images from CTSS Guide Kat and Josh from their treks to Everest Base Camp:

Finally, we will wrap things up with a few more images and thoughts from last week’s Puja ceremony courtesy of Tendi Sherpa.

“We held a beautiful Puja ceremony at Everest Base Camp, seeking the blessings and permission of the Mother Goddess (Mount Everest) for a safe and successful journey on the mountain.

This season, I have the privilege of guiding young Emma alongside her father, Sam, with the support of my colleague, Fred! Over the coming days, our focus will be on training on ladder crossings and fixed line techniques, and preparing for our first rotation to the higher camps. Grateful for this opportunity and looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

To all of our guides, Sherpas, climbers, and trekkers, we echo Tendi’s appreciation–we are grateful for all of you!

Here’s the latest from our teams in the Himalayas:

Our climbers at Everest Base Camp have been busy. Many took a short trek to Pumori High Camp to support their acclimatization, and they were rewarded with stunning views of Everest and Lhotse. Emma Schwerin, one of our private climbers, shared a few photos below:

In addition, today, all of our climbers, guides, and Sherpas took part in a traditional Puja ceremony. We were joined by several high lamas who traveled from far and wide to bless our expedition teams before they make their way to the upper mountain. This ceremony is a Tibetan Buddhist ritual that is part of Sherpa life. The purpose is to ask the mountain deity for safe passage and, of course, to celebrate.

Here are a few photos from the CTSS archives of past Puja ceremonies at Everest Base Camp:

Our 3 Peaks team checked in from Island Peak after making the call to turn around at the headwall, which is one of the many technical sections during this climb. The conditions were outside of the safety margin to continue forward, and our teams ultimately made the right decision. All climbers are back in Chukkung and happily resting.

At CTSS, our priorities are (and will always be) safety and success–in that order. You can trust us to deploy the best, most experienced, and respected mountain leaders in the world, use top-of-the-line equipment, not skimp on costs, make wise decisions in your best interest, and go above and beyond to stack the odds in your favor.

On the trail below Everest Base Camp, our 40-day Speed Ascent team is hanging tight at Lobuche Base Camp. They took a quick jaunt to Lobuche High Camp and will continue to assess the conditions. Our second team of Everest Base Camp trekkers took a rest and acclimatization day in Tengboche. CTSS Guide Josh McDowell shared a few photos of the glorious morning they woke up to and their visit to the Tengboche Monastery. Tomorrow, they will move to Pheriche.

The Bouka family successfully landed in Pheriche today and are ready to continue their acclimatization as they make their way to Everest Base Camp.

Farthest down the Khumbu Valley, our first team of Everest Base Camp trekkers are in Namche, and tomorrow, they will catch their flight from Lukla to Kathmandu.

Most of our teams are now at Everest Base Camp, settling in and enjoying the spoils of our luxury setup. We are loving this shot from our Everest Base Camp chef, Emma Lawrenson, who shared, “sun’s out, gun’s out at Base Camp today,” plus a few shots of the tasty treats she’s been whipping up.

Thank you to CTSS Guide Robert and Chef Emma for sharing these photos:

As teams continue to hone their skills and find time to relax and acclimatize, the Icefall Doctors have been busy on the upper mountain. They’ve fixed the route to Camp 2, and our Sherpa team has started stocking the upper mountain with supplies.

With the upper mountain opening up soon, our staff at Everest Base Camp are preparing for our second Puja ceremony of the season. This rite of passage is an essential component of all our Everest expeditions, providing an opportunity for our climbers, guides, Sherpas, and staff to ask the mountain deity, Sagamartha, for safe passage.

Thank you to Tendi Sherpa for sharing these shots of the Puja table:

Outside of Everest Base Camp, our 3 Peaks team checked in from Island Peak Base Camp. They are eyeing a summit bid today with a 1am wake-up call. We will keep you posted on their progress as they assess the conditions.

And our Everest Base Camp trekkers are on the move today. Our first team made their way back down the Khumbu Valley, arriving in Pheriche, while some trekkers took a pre-arranged helicopter ride all the way to Lukla. Our second team is in Tengboche, and tomorrow, they will rest and visit the famed Tengboche Monastery.

Finally, the Bouka family has arrived in Kathmandu and will fly first thing tomorrow morning to Pheriche, having acclimatized in Ecuador.

Photos below courtesy of CTSS Guides Josh and Robert. Josh is with our second Everest Base Camp team of trekkers, and Robert is working with one of our private climbers.

Our 3 Peaks team, led by Porter Crockard and Phunjo Lama, checked in today from Chukkung. With snow continuing to blanket the region, they opted not to take Kongma La Pass and will arrive at Island Peak Base Camp within the next day. As they settle into Base Camp, the team will assess their summit attempt window. Porter shared that all their energy is focused on Island Peak for now. More on Polkade after this push.

Thank you to Porter for sharing these photos with our team:

The summit of Lobuche is still out of condition, which means all of our private climbers, the Kirby family, and our Lobuche team have made their way to Everest Base Camp. However, the window on Lobuche is not closed, as our 40-day Speed Ascent team is currently staying in place at Lobuche Base Camp in hopes of the mountain granting passages.

Otherwise, our Western Guided team is doing well at Everest Base Camp with ample time for training and skill practice in the lower part of the Khumbu Icefall. They are joined by our first team of Everest Base Camp trekkers, who also had the opportunity to take part in a beginner-friendly climbing clinic to get a little taste of what it feels like to be an Everest climber.  

Bringing up the tail end of this wave, our second team of Everest Base Camp trekkers are making their way up the Khumbu Valley in grand style. Guide Josh McDowell shared a few shots of the team enjoying Namche, which are below. 

Our final wave of trekkers and climbers are just starting to arrive in Kathmandu. This includes the Bouka family as well as our 30 Day Speed Ascent and Lhotse climbers. Tomorrow, the Bouka family will gather for gear checks, a guide briefing, before flying into the Khumbu valley.

At just 15 years old, Ethan Ong did more than trek to Everest Base Camp—he made a powerful impact before even stepping foot on the trail. Ahead of his Rugged Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek and Stay, Ethan raised over $9,200 USD for the Tendi Sherpa Foundation, showing that generosity and purpose have no age limit.

Instead of just focusing on the adventure ahead, Ethan made a deliberate choice to give back to the communities that make journeys like his possible. His donation helps support the health, education, and livelihoods of Sherpa families across Nepal—and it speaks volumes about the kind of trekker he’s becoming.

Tell us about your experience on the Everest Base Camp trek. Why did you choose this adventure, and what has been your favorite moment?

I found out that many families have lost their [primary] breadwinner to the unforgiving conditions of the Himalayas. Children are left with [limited] access to quality education, living in unsafe environments (e.g., an open flame used for cooking indoors), and are forced to take up potentially dangerous vocations to help support their families.

I had the great privilege of meeting Tendi Sherpa during my trek. His passion for giving back to the community was a source of great inspiration. With these funds, I hope that many Sherpa children and their families can live in safer conditions, [pursuing] education, and breaking free from the poverty cycle.

Our team had the opportunity to connect directly with Tendi Sherpa to gain insight into how the funds from Ethan will be utilized. Here’s what Tendi shared with us:

The funds will be used to purchase smokeless ovens in a remote village. To date, we have supported 250 households with smokeless ovens, and still, more villages have requested the ovens. People have open-fire kitchens in their homes, and most of the houses are filled with dense smoke that leads to huge health issues for the families, and the oven makes a huge difference.

Ethan’s funds will also go into the scholarship program that supports the students who have lost their fathers due to mountaineering. I started this program in January 2025, and we have selected nine students, but we will increase as more support is needed.

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.