...Ecuador Begins...
Our 2018 Ecuador climbing team has arrived in Quito and it's time to climb! It's great to be back in this amazing country. This is truly one of my favorite climbing trips and not just because most of the nights are spent in luxurious hotels and haciendas as we traverse the lush countryside. The infrastructure is great and the food is fresh and local. Oh, and the climbing is world class.
It doesn't hurt that the past President was a climber and decided to revamp the mountain hospitality to more closely mirror that of the European Alps by reconditioning the mountain huts and providing comfortable sleeping mats and excellent food. There are few places in the world that offer a better climbing experience.
In almost every way Ecuador seems to be made for climbing. Perhaps my favorite stop on our journey is to celebrate our climbs with a beer in the natural hot spring pools of Thermas Papallacta.
We enjoyed a fun cultural city tour today to the Equator Line just north of the city and of historical Quito before grabbing a traditional Ecuadorian Welcome Dinner in La Mariscal.
Tomorrow we head to Pasachoa to acclimatize to 14,00ft/4,200m before, you guessed it, a few more nights in a beautiful hacienda at the foot of Cotopaxi. The suffering continues...
Cheers,
Mike Hamill
CTSS Owner
...Kili Team enjoying Safari...
We just received word from the Kilimanjaro team that they are having a great time on Safari and really enjoying some of the amazing game lodges along the way. This is a great time of the year for wildlife viewing in the Taringire Park and in Ngorogoro crater. If you haven't checked out Ngorogoro, it is a must see!
The team has one more day on safari before returning to JRO international for their flights onwards. There's no better way to celebrate a Kili climb than relaxing and taking in the impressive game viewing and lodges on the African plains.
This is our last Kilimanjaro expedition of the year but we will be back at it in August, 2019. If you would like to join is for an unparalleled African adventure then come join us in August!
Cheers,
-CTSS Team
...Kili Summit...
The team hit the roof of Africa in great form and with weather on their side yesterday. They have already made their way safely off the mountain to enjoy a final few days unwinding on Safari.
They are at Mweka Gate celebrating with a few cold beers right now before heading to Tarangire national park & Ngorongoro Crater to spot the Big 5!
Congratulations to you all on a wonderful expedition.
Cheers
CTSS Team
...Kili Team at High Camp...
We just received word from guide Sasha Sak that the team is doing well and is safely settled in to high camp. She said that they will start climbing around 11:30pm tonight in order to reach the summit and make it back down to a lower camp the same day. She reports that the weather is sunny. The theme this trip has been clear and sunny mornings with clouds and a bit of precip in the afternoon.
We will keep you updated on their progress. So far so good. Wish them luck on the summit bid!
Cheers,
CTSS Team
...Shira Plateau...
We received a text from CTSS guide Sasha Sak saying the team is doing great and they have had excellent weather so far. The crew climbed strong to Machame camp the first day and are headed up to Shira Plateau today.
At the Shira Plateau the team is starting to really get up to altitude. This is where some people start to feel the affects of the thin air. Typically this doesn't result in anything more serious than slight shortness of breath upon exercise and a small headache at night at these moderate altitudes. It'll be enough to let them know they are now at altitude, however!
Tomorrow the team heads to Barranco Camp which sits at the base of the mighty Barranco Wall. We'll keep you posted on their progress!
Cheers,
-CTSS Team
...Kilimanjaro Starts Today...
Our October Kilimanjaro Expedition starts today!
The team has arrived in Arusha, Tanzania and are all set to hit the trail. They did gear checks yesterday and will make the drive to the Kilimanjaro gate today where they will check in an begin their climb.
It is a relatively short day of climbing to Machame Camp, the team's first camp. They will ascend from the plains below Kilimanjaro up through lush forest en route to their high point.
We will keep you posted on the teams progress as they gain altitude on the Machame route! Our amazing Kilimanjaro lead guide Sasha will be checking in with us every day or so.
Cheers,
-CTSS Team
...Cho Oyu Team back in Kathmandu...
Our Cho Oyu team arrived safely back in Kathmandu and will head their separate ways over the next few days. No doubt they are enjoying some simple comforts that you don't find in the mountains like a comfortable bed and hot pizza and beer.
We would just like to say huge congrats again to the entire team. They worked together as a team and supported each other throughout the expedition. They climbed strong and climbed safe. It is a great feeling to see them realize their dreams.
With that our 2018 Cho Oyu coverage comes to a close and we look forward to many more great expeditions around the world this coming year and another great Cho Oyu expedition in 2019.
Cheers,
-CTSS Team
...Safe at Advanced Base Camp...
We just received word that the Cho Oyu team has descended safely to Advanced Base Camp. There they will rest and pack up while the Sherpa finish clearing gear off the mountain. Once base camp is packed up they will drive to the Nepalese border in jeeps. They'll spend a night in the border town of Kriyong before driving back to Kathmandu along bumpy dirt roads the following day (Sept 30).
It must be said that the team has had and incredible season so far and are perhaps a week ahead of the usual return date to Kathmandu! Their training and strength allowed them to climb strong and stay on schedule. The fine weather and route conditions were favorable and didn't cause any delays for the team. It seems that the stars have aligned for their success this season and it's great to have them down safe and headed back to Kathmandu early this year.
Cheers,
CTSS Team
...Cho Oyu Team Safe at Camp 2...
After an amazing effort and an incredible day, all of the team are now safely resting up at Camp 2 after their successful summit of Cho Oyu.
Tomorrow they will make their final descent to Advanced Base Camp before starting the journey home. They had great weather and will be coming home with memories that will last a lifetime from one of the world's tallest peaks.
Cheers
CTSS Team
...Live Cho Oyu Summit!!...
...Live update...
We are thrilled to announce the entire CTSS team is currently standing on the summit of Cho Oyu in perfect weather.
We'll update you on further when the team are safe and sound in lower camps.
Cheers CTSS Team
