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Everest 2019: Weekend Update April 21

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Apr 212019
 
Everest 2019: Weekend Update April 21

As we close out the third full week of the 2019 season, all is well on both sides of Everest. No major incidents and all systems, except for EverestLink, seems to be up and running, but they seem to have their links worked out. Each weekend during the season I’ll post a “Weekend Update” summarizing the main stories for the past week. Also, now that the season is well underway, I’ll strive to post my daily updates for all #everest2019 each day before noon, Mountain Daylight Time, GMT -7. Headlines A quick rundown on who is where. For a complete continue reading

Everest 2019: Weekend Update April 14

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Apr 132019
 
Everest 2019: Weekend Update April 14

“Welcome to Base Camp!” has been heard over and over this past week. Teams are arriving at EBC daily and on the Tibet side, the roads are full with SUVs driving to CBC. Look for first foreign climbs into the Icefall this next week. But first what happened last week? Each weekend during the season I’ll post a “Weekend Update” summarizing the main stories for the past week. Headlines First an update on the comms situation at EBC.  It seems that EverestLink is having problems getting their system to be reliable this year. This happens occasionally but they usually get it continue reading

Everest 2019: Weekend Update April 7

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Apr 072019
 
Everest 2019: Weekend Update April 7

The Everest spring season is fully underway, at least on the Nepal side of the Hill. Multiple teams are trekking to Everest Base Camp – Nepal aka EBC. One team has already arrived at EBC. Meanwhile, there are only a few teams on their way to the Tibet side, more to begin this week. Each weekend during the season I’ll post a “Weekend Update” summarizing the main stories for the past week. Headlines The biggest news this past week was that the Icefall Doctors have finished putting the route in from EBC to Camp 2 in the Western Cwm. This continue reading

Everest 2019: When is a Rest day, a Rest Day?

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Apr 062019
 
Everest 2019: When is a Rest day, a Rest Day?

Another day, and another step closer to base camp. A bit of news mostly from the Nepal side. I post these headlines on the tracker page everyday and update with the latest as I get them and then cover the newest headlines in the next blog post.     These are the latest: First teams are now at EBC-Nepal in very cold conditions, -18C/0F Route opens from Base Camp through the Khumbu Icefall (20 ladders) to Camp 2 – Nepal Weather looks to be moving into Nepal over the weekend, could make the trek a bit uncomfortable EverestLink Internet is continue reading

Everest 2019: Morning View and Prayers at the Monastery

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Apr 052019
 
Everest 2019: Morning View and Prayers at the Monastery

The migration continues, slow and steady in the Khumbu. The Everest-Tibet teams are starting to arrive in Kathmandu. Some will trek for acclimatization before moving over to the Tibet side while others will go directly to Lhasa and drive to Base Camp-Tibet. Traffic is picking up on the trail to Everest Base Camp – Nepal as more teams are flying into Lukla. Weather looks to be moving into Nepal over the weekend, and could make the trek a bit uncomfortable and snow at EBC – Nepal. Yesterday we saw Adventure Consultants take a helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla due to the construction at continue reading

Everest 2019: Weekend Update March 31

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Mar 302019
 
Everest 2019: Weekend Update March 31

The end of March evokes all kinds of emotions for those who follow Everest each spring. Each weekend during the season I will try to post a “Weekend Update” summarizing the main stories for the past week. The headlines this week are all about climbers flying into Kathmandu and some starting the trek to base camp and that the Icefall Doctors have the route to Camp 1, VERY early which might help reduce crowds IF the early teams take the opportunity to begin the acclimatization process and go for summit in early to mid May IF the weather allows. As you read this, there are continue reading

2018/19 Winter Climbs: What Now? – Updated

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Feb 272019
 
2018/19 Winter Climbs: What Now? - Updated

Update 28 February 21:00 local time: First Helicopter search completed with Pakistani climber Ali Sadpara on board. He reports seeing their tent at Camp 3 at 5,700-meters but also evidence of avalanche in the area. Tomorrow, March 1, is for four climbers from the Russian lead team to be picked up and dropped off at NP Camp3 for ground search. Update from Nardi’s Facebook page by his home team: Following the sweeps this morning, in agreement with the Italian Embassy and Pakistani Aviation, two helicopters helicopters, weather allowing, early morning from skardu for the base camp of k2. There will be the continue reading

2018/19 Winter Climbs: “Hurricane” at K2 and Messner Weighs In

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Feb 182019
 
2018/19 Winter Climbs: "Hurricane" at K2 and Messner Weighs In

As had been predicted, high winds are hitting K2 Base Camp and everyone is holding tight for the storm to pass. The high winds will persist through Friday so look for a quiet week and then a lot of climbing starting on the weekend with perhaps a summit push late next week. Informed Opinions say “No Summits” While these climbers are waiting out weather and trying to keep camps stocked, some big names are weighing in that they “have no chance.” Denis Urubko opined on K2, “they have no chance to get there this year”: (source) It is impossible to continue reading

2018/19 Winter Climbs: K2 Progress

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Feb 102019
 
2018/19 Winter Climbs: K2 Progress

Excellent progress on K2 over the weekend with both teams moving well but more bad weather in the forecast including wind chills of -108F!! K2: Progress and Waiting K2: Kazakhstan, Russia and Kyrgyzstan Team – Progress Four climbers, Abildaev, Aubakirov, Danichkin and Pivtsov, of the The Kazakhstan, Russia and Kyrgyzstan team climbed above the Black Pyramid and left a cache of gear at 7,100-meters over the weekend. This was their high point thus far. They returned to Camp 2 and will return to base camp to wait out degrading weather. You can follow them on Instagram but Russian Climb and their site are the best sources. continue reading

Ecuador Volcanoes 2019: Acclimatization and Rare Bird Sightings!

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Jan 182019
 
Ecuador Volcanoes 2019: Acclimatization and Rare Bird Sightings!

Ecuador keeps getting better and better. Today was a real acclimatization hike on a super trail above Quito  We had another fabulous breakfast at Hacienda Rumiloma and hopped in Ossy’s FourRunner for the 10 minute drive to the telefèric or cable car to the Start of the trail to the summit of Pichincha Volcano which is considered extinct although it is next to Guagua Pichincha which erupted in 1996 covering Quito in a foot of ash. The modern convenience of the cars on cables (image that!!) to 12,950’/3,947-meters to start the hike. It was a clear, mostly cloudless cool day offering up continue reading

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