...Team Pomeroy at Karanga Camp...
Our private Kilimanjaro team are doing great - yesterday they tackled the Barranco Wall early in the day, which leads up precipitously up to the day's high point (where they are rewarded with some more amazing Kilimanjaro views) before dropping down once again into Karanga Camp which is beneficial for their acclimatization. About a 5hour day experiencing the unique alpine desert environment.
From here they are in striking distance of the summit, today they'll move up to High Camp before tackling the summit the following day.
Lead Guide Tomi reports the team are moving really well and having a great time.
...Team Pomeroy Safe at Shira...
The team are up at Shira Camp readying for another great day of trekking and enjoying the great food and hospitality and porters. From this camp, they have stunning views of not only the mountain but the African Savannah below.
Relatively straight forward day today, with approximately 4miles to the Lava Tower - a 300ft tall volcanic rock formation. Then it's a 2mile descent down to Barranco Camp which is a nice, protected large camp through the Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000ft at the base Barranco Wall.
With the up and down of the day, the team will begin and end at the same elevation which is ideal for acclimatization. Everyone moving really well.
Cheers
Caroline
...Kilimanjaro Up & Away...
Private Team Pomeroy with Guide Tomi are well on their way on Kilimanjaro.
Yesterday they came up to Machame Camp making really good time in 5 hours and moving well. They have now left Machame heading up to Shira plateau above the tree line and coming out of the moist lush forest and into the shrubland where they get their first views of Kilimanjaro.
Tomorrow they will head up past the lava tower and down to Barranco Camp at the base of the Barranco Wall.
Here's some pics of their adventure so far...
...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.
