Day 11 – 14 | Basecamp – Pangboche – Namche – Lukla

Posted on April 14, 2012

These 3 days went by like a wirlwind! After a massive sleep we departed bacecamp and headed out to Chukkung. After returning some hire kit and a quick hot drink we enjoyed a leisurely 1 hours trek down to Dingboche.

From here we continued to Pangboche and back to a familiar friendly lodge. I enjoyed my first shower in 11 days and also had shave which was nice!

The next day we trekked a full day back to Namche and once again the team pounced on the bakery and enjoyed a bit of shopping the bustle of the little town.

The next day we trekked another full day back to Lukla. The team were all commenting on the ‘thich air’ and how much better they felt!

The weather played in our favour once more and we managed at 09:45 out of Lukla and by midday we were sat by the pool of our Kathmandu hotel enjoyed an Everest beer!!

Job done (until next time)

Day 10 | THE SUMMIT!!!

Posted on April 14, 2012

Day 10 | THE SUMMIT!!!

At midnight I woke the team (or as it was more likely remembered – brought the bad news that it was time to get up!). By 12:30 the team had bundled into the dining tent and anxiously sipped on hot drinks and tried desperately to swallow some breakfast?!

With the full moon high above us and the star out in force we set foot towards the summit. The team soon drifted into two groups, as expected and the pace was set.

Time went buy as the team ticked off the features I had described for them: high camp, the first short rocky step, traverse, wide gully, ridge…and finally crampon point!

Crampon point is a specific point on summit day, it is here that the team put on their harnesses, changed their boots and put on their crampons. Once ready they tie on to a rope and head out onto the glacier.

The first team which consisted of 4 of my team and Padowa Sherpa (Everest, Ama etc) set off on the glacier at around 6:30.

As the second team including myself and Dowa Nuru Sherpa (70+ Island Peaks!!) set food across the glacier I recived a radio call from the summit! The first 2 of my team had safely reached the 6189m summit of Island Peak and were about to begin there descent, and 2 more were just minutes from the top!

By the time I had reached the bottom of the fixed lines, news had come that all 4 of the first team had safely reached the summit and I could see them only minutes above me.

After passing on my congratulations face to face, we untied from the rope and clipped onto the fixed lines. This section always takes longer than expected and I watched from the bottom as my team slowly made there way up.

I soon joined them and passed through to the top just as the first of these guys made it onto the summit ridge.

Over half an hour another 4 of my team took there final steps onto the summit and enjoyed the success. In awe of the views and completely shattered we took come pictures and enjoyed the moment.

But we were only half way…

The descent to the glacier took a while, but safety was never compromised. Once down the fixed lines we roped up and shot across the glacier and back towards crampon point. Naturally some of the team were very very tired and care was needed on the loose rocky descent back towards highcamp.

The last of my team walked back into camp just after 18:00….a long long day but…they achieved the ultimate, and summit the peak and no one can ever take that away from them.

Day 7 – 9 | Trek to Chukking | Jumars | Chukking Ri 5500m | IP Basecamp

Posted on April 14, 2012

Day 7 – 9 | Trek to Chukking | Jumars | Chukking Ri 5500m | IP Basecamp

On the 7th day….we trekked an enjoyable and leisurely 2 ½ hours to Chukkung, passing ‘signal hill’ a small lump on which you can get good phone reception!

The trek was enjoyable and we followed the river all the way, occasionally crossing small tributaries along the way. In the afternoon I set up a training course for the team to learn the basics of fixed lines. Everyone got to use their harnesses, jumars etc for the first time.

Chukkung is the final village before the team trek to the tented Island Peak Base Camp.

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On the 8th day…we did our second full acclimatisation day, up Chukkung Ri 5500m. Over night it had snowed nearly 6 inches so we found ourselves trekking through the snow which was fun. It took around 2-3 hours for all the team to reach the top and unfortunately the views were blocked by cloud.

Some of the team continued up a short ridge to 5550m, whilst the rest enjoyed a well earned rest and allowed there bodies to adjust to the altitude. During the descent pockets of cloud parted and some spectacular views were enjoyed, particularly that of Ama Dablam and Island Peak.

In the afternoon the team fitted their crampons to the boots, and adjusted helmets…all getting a bit exciting!

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On the 9th day…we trekked into Island Peak Base Camp, an easy and very rewarding 3 hour trek. You really do feel surrounded by giant mountains!! We were welcomed by our new crew and enjoyed some hot orange.

Spam, chips and beans was the menu for lunch and im pretty sure all the team eat every single bean!!

After lunch I ran another fixed lines session on steeper ground, this time mastering the art of going up and down (abseiling), I also made then don there harnesses, big boots and crampons (with gloves on) all for good practice. After this session everyone was happy and confident with the techniques required.

The afternoon was free to relax and prepare for the big climb ahead…

Day 6 – Dingboche | Island Peak | Acclimatisation walk to 5000m | Hot lemon | Cloud & Wind

Posted on April 14, 2012

Firstly, the clouds finally parted yesterday evening and the team got to see Island Peak for the first time, which was really exciting! Island Peak sits at the top of the valley we are now in and looks quite imposing with a dark triangle of rock facing directly towards us.

Today the team were treated to another lye in…until 08:30!! We are staying another night here in Dingboche so there was no need to pack up either.

After a leisurely breakfast the team sorted their day packs and we set of up the slopes of Nangar Shar very slowly. The ridge is quite steep and altitude can be gained quickly. We took plenty of breaks and slowly began ticking of 100m gains until we reached 600m higher than Dingboche – 5000m – which was enough for today.

We put on our warm clothes and braced the wind. As we sat there 5000m above sea level the clouds rolled in and out revealing and hiding the the giant peaks that were all around us. Ama Dablam’s north face towered over the team and slowly the chilly wind got the better of us and we began our descend back to Dingboche.

A good day out for the team and brilliant acclimatisation for everyone. This afternoon will be relaxed again with more cards and mafia I should imagine.

Message to people:

Emily Fussey / Issy Jones – Hi,wish you guys were here, you would love it. We’ve been taking it very easy on our way to the SUMMIT! From Nic, Nikon, Lewis & Jon

Marcus Williams / Nick Parslow – ROBIN DO YOUR CHORES! We are beached out! – From Nic, Nikon, Lewis & Jon

Everyone else – Thank you very much for your messages, I have passed them on to the relevant people/team – they are REALLY good and a great moral boost so please keep them coming.

Tomorrow we head up to Chukkung and final few days of prep before we head into Island Peak Basecamp.

Pics from last few days & the SUMMIT!!

Posted on April 9, 2012

Hi Everyone – sorry for ye silence, there is no signal and Internet during the suit part of this trek!

I will write a longer blog, but in short 9/10 summited on 8th April between 8:30 & 12:30, along side 2 climbing Sherpas.

We are all safely back down now and heading back to Lukla

Here a few pics…more to come

Pics from the first 5 days!

Posted on April 3, 2012

Day 5 Pangboche to Dingboche – Lye in | Puja | Monks | Snow | Momos

Posted on April 3, 2012

This morning the team were treated to a lye in…8:00!! It seems that most of the team are having some brilliant dreams, more vivid and exciting that normal, must be the altitude!!

After breakfast we left our bags and took a short walk to Upper Pangboche and the Monastery. We were really lucky and 4 of the local monks came to be part of the Puja. A puja is a buddiest ceremony which involves chanting, drums, prayer and more. We sat and enjoyed the ceremony for 1 hour before we were invited to get our individual blessings from the main Monk. Everyone received a small string necklace and a blessing scalf.

Whilst in the monastery the clouds rolled in and by the time we had walked the 10 minutes back to the lodge it had began snowing! We enjoyed some hot drinks and popcorn then headed out into the snow. The trek upto Dingboche is only 2 ½ hours and is very gradual and pleasant…other than we couldn’t see anything! For a while we were stuck behind a Yaks train (long line of Yaks) which was entertaining.

We are now in Dingboche for 2 nights, tomorrow is a rest day / acclimatisation day, and we will take a short hike up to 5000m. If the clouds part the team will get their first views of Island Peak, as well as new views of Ama Dablam, Nuptse and 8000m Lhotse.

If you would like to keep right up to date please follow the team on twitter @jcgexpeditions and please feel free to leave a message for the team here or on twitter. Thanks!

Day 4 Khumjuna to Pangboche – Chapel | Rhododendrons | Cake | Yet more Mafia

Posted on April 3, 2012

The team enjoyed breakfast outside this morning which was beautiful. There was a little haze in the air but Ama Dablam View Lodge lived up to its name!!

The wonderful lady that runs this lodge is called Tashi and speaks very good english and is super lovely to everyone. She has her own private chapel in her lodge and we were privileged to be allowed to see it. Tashi took the team in and explained various pictures and artefacts in the room and we all listened intently.

We were soon back on the trail and heading for Tengboche for lunch. However before arriving here we have to descend a few hundred meters and then climb all those meters back, plus a few. The team made short work of the this and we rolled into Tengboche at midday.

The Tengboche ‘Everest Bakery’ never fails to put a smile on your face – how can it when your 3800m high with chocolate cake in your mouth!! We spend 1 ½ hours here and also had lunch.

The afternoon was straight forward without not much to report. The clouds had taken all but the lower sloped of the peaks and 1 ½ hours later we came into Pangboche and the Sonam Lodge – done for the day.

The late afternoon and evening followed a consistent pattern to previous days. Lots of hot drinks, card games, reading books, listening to music, snoozing…and after dinner the teams favourite game – Yaniv!!

Day 3 – Namche to Kumjuma – Deep blue skys | Everest & Ama | Skipping | Cry at Mafia

Posted on April 3, 2012

Hello everyone

Another ‘easy day’ to allow our body’s to acclimatise to the ever thinning air so today we took a gentle pace out of Namche and headed up and over towards Khumjung and the Everest View Lodge at just under 4000m.

Its hard to describe in words just how breathe taking the views have been today…but ill try and paint you a picture. As we came over the top of the hill an hour or so after leaving Namche everyone stopped in silence and stared out across the vast Kumbu valley and at the giant white mountains. In our panoramic we had 6000m, 7000m and 8000m mountains – including the worlds highest – the mighty Everest, which at 8848m was nearly 5000m higher!! With not a cloud in the sky and only colourful prayer flags flapping gently in the breeze, the world stood still for the team as I pointed out various peaks – in particular the stunning Ama Dablam which myself and Bon had climbed 6 months previous.

We enjoyed some hot choc and hot lemon at the Everest View Lodge and allowed some time for our body’s to adjust to the new altitude before taking a leisurely hour walk down the other side of the hill to a small settlement called Kumjuma and my favourite lodge – Ama Dablam View with the wonderful Tashi.

She welcomed us with a warm open smile and we all enjoyed a good lunch and a very relaxed afternoon in the glorious sunshine. We even managed a bit of skipping!!

The team spent the afternoon reading, snoozing, playing with the local dog and drink lots and lots of hot lemon!

The evening consisted of more cards and a few brilliant games of Mafia, and with tiredness setting in a small blunder caused uncontrollable laugher amongst the team and even bought tears to some!!

A great dat day, and a fun evening. Tomorrow morning I have arranged something very special for the team which I know they will like.

I will post some pictures when I can. I have put pictures on twitter @jcgexpeditions

Island Peak – Namche Bazar, Yaks, Spoons & Yaniv! (Beaver is here!)

Posted on March 31, 2012

Hello everyone!

So, we are 2 days into our trek now and having a great time!

Rewinding 2 days…after a VERY early start we lucked out with good weather and jumped aboard the first flight to Lukla. There was room for just 14 people on the plane and its an incredible 45 min flight, landing on the shortest steepest airport in the world!! (check it out on youtube).

After the exhilaration of the flight we had some hot drinks and breakfast in Lukla before setting out on the trail – the team were biting at the bit to get going!

The first day we trekked through lush green fields and quaint little farming villages. The team experienced their first Yak train and stayed carefully mountain side away from the massive horns!! We took it slow and gained and lost altitude through out the day. We took a leisurely lunch in Phakding before continuing on our way to Monjo and to Hill Top Lodge.

The evening was spent relaxing, playing cards and reading books. I introduced Yaniv to the team which went down well. We also enjoyed a few hectic games of spoons before embarking on a mammoth session of Mafia – the teams new favourite game!!

We kicked of day 2 just before 9 and soon reached the official entrance to the Everest National Park! The trek was brilliant…more bridges, more yaks and lots of laughs. The views still amaze the team and lots of pictures are being taken. A long steep climb lead us winding up towards our next destination – Namche! At around 3400m we are starting to gain some good altitude and many of team can feel the thin air.

We spent the afternoon wondering about Namche, enjoying the delights of the Bakery and playing pool in the Irish pub.

Thats all for now. Just a reminder i am tweeting thought out the day as i can do it via txt. So keep unto date @jcgexpeditions.

There is a new member to our team which some of you will know about…Beaver

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