...100% Success on Elbrus...
Despite several days of extremely erratic weather and power outages we finally got our chance to go for the top. Our summit day started off clear but a bit windy but we quickly ascended into a whiteout cloud cap sitting on the mountain. We climbed for about 5 hours with winds of 30kph - 60kph and visibility below 40 meters. Temps were arctic. However, the team came prepared and climbed wonderfully. Climbers were taking care of themselves, saying warm, eating and drinking and generally climbing like pros!
After breaking trail for the entire climb out front through the whiteout we finally reached the top of the fixed lines and crested the summit ridge where it finally started to clear intermittently and warm slightly. Another 15 minutes traversing brought us to the summit. We had the top all to ourselves for the duration while we snapped some quick pics and got the heck out of there!
We're now back safely in the valley where we're enjoying great food, hot showers and even a beer or two. Tomorrow we fly to Moscow to tour the city before heading home the following day. Amazing work and congrats to our team on their huge success!
All best,
Mike Hamill
CTSS Owner
...Elbrus an Adventure...
What's an adventure without a little spanner thrown in the works?
Our team in Russia had a small delay with a big storm that brought plenty of rain, widespread power outages and some washed out roads.
No need to worry as everyone was safely bunkered down in the hotel in town until the skies cleared to reveal excellent weather which saw them pounce on a good window and head uphill and quickly resume the schedule.
Fighting fit and enthusiastic they refreshed some of their alpine skills today (including self arresting, fixed line travel etc) and acclimatized up above Pashtuhova Rocks (at 4,550–4,700 m) Everyone feeling great.
With these freshly drained and clear skies, forecast to hold, the team will attempt their summit bid this evening.
Exciting times..
Home away from Home on the Hill...
...Elbrus Underway...
Elbrus 2018 is off to a great start. We started our trip by touring the sights of St Petersburg before flying down to the Elbrus region to start our acclimatization process. Despite some rainy weather in St Petes, we were able to get in a boat tour of the city and a bus tour of some of the most iconic sights: St Isaacs Cathedral, Peter and Paul Fortress, and the Church of Spilled Blood. The mosaic work inside the Church of Spilled Blood was awe-inspiring to say the least and a must see for anyone visiting the city!
Tomorrow we will head up on to Mt Elbrus to continue our acclimatization and getting in a snow school. The following day we'll hike up to Pastokov rocks before settling in early to rest for our first potential summit day. Currently, the weather looks good for a summit bid on Sunday or Monday. We'll keep you posted!
Best from Russia,
Mike Hamill
CTSS Owner
...Back to Base Camp...
Our entire CTSS team is all safely back down to Base Camp! Time to celebrate and recuperate. They'll be back at home with you before you know it!
We thought you would enjoy some photographs from the team from the top of the world!
Photo - Casey Grom
The view from the top of the world looking over at Lhotse
...Safe Descent to Camp 2 & onward to BC...
A very quick update to let you know the whole team has arrived safely into Camp 2 or Base Camp and are enjoying the thicker oxygen at lower altitudes and recovering exceptionally well.
The champagne corks are ready to be popped down here at 5,300m (Base Camp) when the whole team is reunited together. We will keep you updated when everyone has come through the Khumbu icefall for the last time this season. Your loved ones will be home before you know it!
Cheers, CTSS Team...
...Lhotse Summits - 100% Success..
We are thrilled to announce that our Lhotse team summited this morning, including one mountaineer who stood on top of Everest yesterday. Two 8,000m peaks in under 24 hours - well done.
This team is truly on fire! Everyone who arrived in Kathmandu to climb, stood on top and achieved their goal. The entire team is now descending as I write. The Everest team to Camp 2 and the Lhotse team off the summit. Huge congrats to everyone - their hard work, dedication and training has paid off. Not to mention everyone's support teams from home. It’s pretty incredible to watch everyone achieve their goals on such a grand scale. We are incredibly thankful to all the Sherpa and local team on the ground here in Nepal for making our dream expedition possible.
Soon, we'll have the whole team back safely at Base camp and it will be time to celebrate.
CTSS Team
...Safe at the South Col...
Great news - and a good opportunity to let out that big, deep breath we've all been holding - the whole team is now back at the South Col and recovering after an amazing summit bid in near perfect weather.
They will be replenishing fluids with hot drinks, plenty of foods and riding high on the elation of a successful summit.
Meanwhile our Lhotse team is at high camp and will be embarking on their summit bid tonight.
We'll keep you updated on their respective descents and ascents!
CTSS Team
...100% ON SUMMIT RIGHT NOW...
100% of our CTSS climbers are on top of Everest right now!
They made incredible time across the summit ridge and are enjoying great weather with those winds dying down.
Well done to all the climbers and a big shout out to their support teams, friends and family from all over the world sending your thoughts, good vibes and love have enabled this wonderful team of people to live out their individual dreams of reaching the top of the world.
We do recognise that the climb isn't over yet and the team will now make their way back down, and we will keep you updated. Often they stash radios in pockets, put their heads down and just keep moving so remember no news is good news as they descend to the South Col. If they feel strong enough reaching there they may even keep going back to Camp 2.
...Team are at the South Summit...
A very quick update from the mountain from you... the team have reached the South Summit and are on schedule. They are changing oxygen bottles and all going to plan it should take them 2 - 3 hours from here.
It's a bit windy up there at the moment and there is some congestion on the mountain but the good news is the winds are forecast to die off and everyone is moving strongly.
We keep our radio communications nice short to save batteries, but we will update you as we hear.
CTSS Team
Mike shows us the route that the team have passed through to come up to the South Summit.
... The Everest team is off & on the move...
& the Lhotse team resting at C3...
Well, the waiting is over and the moment the Everest climbers have been waiting for has arrived. They finally get to experience what Everest summit day is like. They have done exceptionally well to put themselves in this position. Even to climb to 8000m and spend a night there is a huge feat. Now they will climb for the next 6 to 10 hours, ascending through the darkness and rarefied Himalayan air for a short moment on top.
The route starts gradually across the icy surface of the south col before the climbing begins. Moderate slopes and 3 - 4 hours of climbing will lead the climbers to the "Balcony." Here they will change their used oxygen bottles for fresh ones and grab a quick sip of water and bite to eat before getting in to the real climbing.
The next stretch to the South Summit surprises many climbers but our team has been well-educated about the steepness and challenges of this section. Several short rocky steps lead to a right traverse then on to a broad, steep ridge to the South summit proper. This section typically takes 3 hours. As our team crests the South Summit the first light of day should be on them and they'll begin to feel the warmth of the sun.
Here they are within reach. From the South summit they will peer across the summit ridge where they can almost see the top. Another 1.5 - 2 hours of exposed but relatively flat walking will bring our team to the top. Typically climbers spend anywhere from 30 minutes to and hour on the summit depending on the weather.
They will then descend to back to the South Col in about half the time. Believe it or not, it can get so hot on the descent that you're forced to take the top of your down suit off and tie it around your waste. I've even seen a few mountaineers take their boots off at the "Balcony" to cool their feet although I wouldn't recommend it! Once back at the South Col the team will rest and if some people are feeling very strong and well-rested, they may descend to the relative luxury of Camp 2.
The Lhotse team is tucked in at Camp 3 on Os and has a less eventful night ahead of them. They'll wake up leisurely in the morning and head to high camp where the next night will be their night to climb.
More updates to follow as the team ascends.
All best,
Mike Hamill
CTSS Owner