Island Peak 2018: Reaching a Milestone
Setting and striving to achieve hard goals is central to my life. I’ve found that when I lack a goal, I feel like I’m drifting with no destination in sight. Thus today was a milestone in a series of goals I set almost two years ago. When that 100 mph wind gust sent me spinning […]
Island Peak 2018: On our Way
At some point in every trip, you feel like you have moved from planning to doing. Well that’s exactly how I felt today as Kami and I left Namche for the Goyko Lakes. Once again, the morning skies were crystal clear with a bite in the air signaling that winter would be here soon. We […]
Island Peak 2018: Pictures Say it All
I spent the day visiting a few of my favorite places around Namche Bazaar. A few photos from the day. Thanks to all who donated yesterday. We are at $4,925 of the $10,000 goal. Aiming for $25,000 including the matching grant. Climb On! Alan Memories are Everything
Island Peak 2018: Different and the Same in the Khumbu
As I trekked up Namache Hill, my mind drifted to 1997 and the first time I walked these trails. I was awe struck by the stunning natural beauty of the steep hillsides covered with such green vegetation. The roar of the Dudh Kosi river kept me company as I walked, struggling to catch my breath. […]
Island Peak 2018: Lukla and Blessing to All
The moment I stepped off the plan in Kathmandu last week, I set my internal clock for Sherpa time, bistari, bistari—which mean ‘slowly, slowly‘ in Nepali. This morning as I awoke in Lukla, the gateway to the Khumbu, I smiled and turned over in my small bed in the Khumjung Lodge. I went down for breakfast […]
Island Peak 2018 Climb Begins in Kathmandu
Every journey begins with a single step, or flight in my case! After a 48 hour journey to the other side of the planet, I arrived in Kathmandu late night this week. I was surprised how many people were at the Tribhuvan International Airport. It appears the autumn trekking and climbing season is in good health. […]
Autumn 2018 Himalayan Climbing: Summits, Missing Climber, Skiing Lhotse
This last week has been the pinnacle for the 2018 autumn climbing season across the Himalayas in Tibet and Nepal. Sadly a Czech climber is missing after summiting Manaslu and the long-coveted ski descent of the Lhotse Couloir is apparently completed but not confirmed. Big Picture – Weekend Update This week will wrap up the […]
Autumn 2018 Himalayan Climbing: Summits All Over
One of the best moments in climbing on the Himalayan is when you reach the summit of an 8000-meter, or lesser peak only hear a Sherpa screaming into his radio “Summmmmiiiitttt” with the energy of a World Cup Football announcer. You almost can’t help but smile. This scene is being repeated on Manaslu and Cho […]
Autumn 2018 Himalayan Climbing: Summit Pushes Begin
Pretty much on schedule, multiple teams will be starting their summit push this week, if they haven’t already. The weather continues to be decent but fresh snow on Dhaulagiri and Annapurna will require a couple days to settle. Cho Oyu Climbing the Seven Summits team reported they left for the summit today, Monday Sept 24 2018: “Their […]
Autumn 2018 Himalayan Climbing: Sherpas Dies on Dhaulagiri
Team after team are wrapping up their acclimatization rotations so look for summit pushed to begin as early as this weekend or early next week. The weather is looking poor for next couple of days but then returning to nice autumn conditions, albeit with rain around Manaslu and snow on Dhaulagiri – which seems to […]