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Archive for April, 2014

Foreign Press Release from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation in Nepal

Thursday, April 24th, 2014

Today, April 24, 2014 the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation in Nepal sent out a Foreign Press Release discussing the upcoming expedition season on Mount Everest. Below is the text from the press release. To see the official press release click here.

Press Release

Today, one high level delegation headed by Hon’ble minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Bhim Prasad Acharya had visited the Mount Everest Base Camp and seriously discussed with mountain guide, supporting climbers and other concerned people. The delegation comprised with representatives of different tourism related organizations.

During the discussion, the minister had urged to continue the expedition activities to all team leaders and members and requested to all concerned agencies to fix ladder and rope. At that time the supporting climbers also agreed to support expedition activities.

However, if some expedition team wants to quit the expedition for this season and request the ministry to extend their permit, the ministry would make necessary process to extend the time of their permit for the next five years for the expedition team of 2014 spring.

Here, the ministry strongly request to all the expedition team to continue the expedition because they have made all the required arrangement for completion of their expedition.

Madhu Sudan Burlakoti

Joint Secretary

Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation

Shocking News from Base Camp

Friday, April 18th, 2014

We feel stunned with sadness and our hearts are heavy today. We awoke early on “Good Friday” morning in Canada to learn of the most tragic event in the climbing history of Everest. The potential for this catastrophe in the Khumbu Icefall has always existed. For more than 50 years death has been known in the Icefall. But the scale of this is unprecedented. We see the faces of Sherpa friends we have lost and our tears, our thoughts and our prayers are with their families.

We want Berg Adventures clients to know that none of the Sherpas who have worked with them directly on BAI treks and climbs were among the 16 men who were lost in the Icefall today. But every Sherpa is a part of a small, close community. This sad, sad day will tear into every Sherpa family that we know.

The fabric of Sherpa family and cultural life is strong. This is a devastating loss but the wheel of life with suffering, sorrow, joy, beauty, compassion continues. The reverence that we have shared along those beautiful trails beneath Ama Dablam, Nuptse and Chomolungma endures and grows.

Wally, Leila, Sara and Deirdre,

The Berg Adventures Office

Berg Adventures’ List of Upcoming Trips in 2014: Africa and South America

Wednesday, April 9th, 2014

In the coming months Berg Adventures will be making trips to some of our favorite past destinations and also visiting some new exciting locations! We have put together a list of our upcoming trips and expeditions. If you were wondering what your next great Berg Adventure will be, then this list will help you decide which expedition will be best suited for you!

Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro is a classic Berg Adventures trip and there is no better way to reach the top of Africa at 19,340 ft/ 5,894m then with the amazing spirit and camaraderie that is well known on our Kili trips! Wally Berg will be returning to Tanzania to lead a climb VIA the Lemosho route from August 2 – 15. This will be a great opportunity to gain climbing experience from Wally who has been to the summit of this great mountain over 52 times!

To see what other climbers have said about their amazing experiences on Kilimanjaro check out some of their testimonials. For more information on our scheduled 2014 climbs, or to discuss customizing your own Kilimanjaro climb, click here to ask our office for details!

Camping at the Lava Tower

Camping at the Lava Tower

Summit success!

Summit success!

Having a great time in Crater Camp after a successful summit!

Having a great time in Crater Camp after a successful summit!

Wildlife Safari

We could not think of a better way to celebrate your climb of Kilimanjaro then one of Berg Adventures’ luxury Wildlife Safari. Our 3 and 6 day safari itineraries are perfect for combining a Kilimanjaro climb and luxury safari viewing. Exploring the wilds of the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire is the ultimate experience for groups of all ages and is great for a family getaway!

Capturing the wildlife in the Serengeti

Capturing the wildlife in the Serengeti

If you are looking for a different Safari experience, then traveling to Mahale National Park in Western Tanzania to trek with the chimpanzees will be something you will not want to miss. This special adventure takes you to the shores of Lake Tanganyika where you will have great opportunities to trek with the chimpanzees! From fishing and swimming the deep clear waters of the lake, to viewing the stunning bird life and trekking with the chimps, you will certainly walk away with memories to last a lifetime!

Relaxing accommodations on the beaches of Lake Tanganyika

Relaxing accommodations on the beaches of Lake Tanganyika

Chimps in their natural habitat

Chimps in their natural habitat

Bolivia Mountain School

Would you like to brush up on your mountaineering skills while conquering some of the most alluring peaks in the southern hemisphere? If so the Bolivia Mountain School program is the one for you! This year from May 30 – June 8 we will be going to Bolivia to do an Introduction to Alpine Mountaineering Course. Our goals this year will be Cerro Austria 17,550ft/5,348m, Pequeno Alpamayo 17,618ft/5,370 and Ilusion 17,487/5,330m. During the expedition climbers will learn and review glacier travel, climbing techniques and mountaineering skills such as crossing techniques, ice climbing and roping. Come join us in Bolivia this summer to enjoy two weeks in this fascinating, colorful country while learning the basics to make climbing a rewarding lifelong activity!

Practicing route finding in Bolivia

Practicing route finding in Bolivia

Reaching the summit of Pequeno Alpamayo

Reaching the summit of Pequeno Alpamayo

Mendoza Wine Tour

In our opinion, there is no better place to explore the flavors and traditions of Argentina then in Mendoza. As the heart of Argentine wine and culinary, Mendoza is emerging as a world-class destination for true wine and food aficionados. A Mendoza Wine Tour with Berg Adventures will lead you on a journey to some of the most prestigious wineries, world-class restaurants and stunning hotels and bodegas located at the foot of the Andes. Prepare to immerse yourself in true Argentine culture and contact us today about your own “Mendoza Wine Tour” with a Berg Adventures wine guide.

A visit to Mendoza is truly a trip for any wine and food lover!

A visit to Mendoza is truly a trip for any wine and food lover!

Beautiful views and many vineyards await in Mendoza!

Beautiful views and many vineyards await in Mendoza!

Berg Adventures’ List of Upcoming Trips in 2014: Asia, Australasia and Europe

Wednesday, April 9th, 2014

In the coming months Berg Adventures will be making trips to some of our favorite past destinations and also visiting some new exciting locations! We have put together a list of our upcoming trips and expeditions. If you were wondering what your next great Berg Adventure will be, then this list will help you decide which expedition will be best suited for you!

Deluxe Khumbu and Everest Base Camp Trek

Next week from April 19 – May 12 we will be returning to the Khumbu as part of our Spring Everest Base Camp Trek. Each year we return to trek through the mighty Himalayas and visit Base Camp as expedition climbers prepare to make their ascent on the world’s highest peak. We will begin our journey in Kathmandu; fly to Lukla and then trek through the homeland of the Sherpas, through colorful welcoming villages, past monasteries all the way to Everest Base Camp. The trek will include an acclimatization climb of Kala Patar at 18,600ft/5,670m where stunning views of Everest and surrounding peaks will amaze! Follow our daily dispatches as we document the team’s day to day activities through stories and photos.

Walking into the village of Thame to our cozy lodge

Walking into the village of Thame to our cozy lodge

Friendly faces welcome us everywhere we go!

Friendly faces welcome us everywhere we go!

If you want to join a trek to Base Camp and feel next week is too soon, we will be returning to Nepal for a fall trek to EBC from October 18 – November 10. As an optional extension to this fall trek we will be climbing Island Peak (20,305ft/6,189m), where climbers will be able to refresh and improve their alpine climbing skills. This is a spectacular climb of easy to moderate difficulty and some experience walking with an ice axe, using crampons and doing self-arrest will be necessary.

Incredible views of the summit ridge of Island Peak

Incredible views of the summit ridge of Island Peak

The latest word at the Berg Adventures office is that we also may have some interest in an Ama Dablam expedition this fall. Contact our office if you are interested in becoming a team member on this classic Himalayan expedition experience. If Ama Dablam has always intrigued you, visit some expedition history from our archived 2002 Ama Dablam dispatches.

Climbing up to Ama Dablam

Climbing up to Ama Dablam

Mount Elbrus

Berg Adventures is always excited to return to the Caucasus Mountains each year to reach the highest point of continental Europe, Mount Elbrus. The climb is a glacier climb of easy to moderate difficulty and is perfect for those who want an introduction to high altitude climbing, or those who wish to brush up on their mountaineering skills.

Climbing above the clouds to the summit of Mount Elbrus

Climbing above the clouds to the summit of Mount Elbrus

But climbing Mount Elbrus will not be the only thing on our list. We begin our Russia experience in St. Petersburg where in June the festival of the “White Nights” is celebrated while the sun never truly sets. After taking a “Midnight Train” to Moscow we will enjoy the magic of the Red Square, which is right across the street from our hotel, before travelling to the Elbrus for our climb. It is not too late to sign up for this incredible adventure, our visa invitations have been issued and we can add you to the list! Contact us today about joining our June 27 – July 12 expedition.

Touring the famous museums in St. Petersburg

Touring the famous museums in St. Petersburg

Trekking in Iceland

This summer we will be making our first trip to the land of fjords, volcanoes, geysers and “out-of-this-world” landscapes: Iceland. Our time in Iceland will be spend trekking through the Fjallabak Nature Reserve where you will have the opportunity to climb the Hekla and Blahnukur volcanoes, trek through the active geothermal areas of the Reykjadalir Valley and soak in the famous hot springs of the Blue Lagoon! This is a trip filled with plenty of adventure and rich with stunning natural landscapes just waiting to be explored.

If more climbing is what you had in mind then we are also adding an extension of climbing the highest peak in Iceland; Hvannadalshnukur (6,900ft/2,100m) where the glacial moraine makes for great mountaineering and impressive natural formations. Come join us and stand on the top of Iceland!

Incredible out-of-this-world landscapes in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve

Incredible out-of-this-world landscapes in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve

Looking out onto beautiful rolling hills from the top of a Volcano

Looking out onto beautiful rolling hills from the top of a Volcano

Carstensz Pyramid

This March six Berg Adventures climbers and guide Brent Bishop embarked on the adventure of a lifetime in Papua Indonesia. The team travelled to Bali and onwards to the thick jungles of Papua to climb the most remote and technically challenging of the Seven Summits: Carstensz Pyramid. This was not your typical seven summits climb! The team took to trekking through trackless forests, crossing tiny bridges over large flowing rivers, walking through grassland marshes and muddy passes only to reach one of the most thrilling limestone climbs out there.

Perhaps one of the most exciting parts of this expedition was the local Dani porters that trekked to and from Base Camp with the climbers. Between the lengthy negotiations to pass through their villages, impressive camps they set up and excited spirit and dramatics this was truly the most unique adventure! Read Brent Bishop’s accounts “Life at Camp with the Dani and Mani Tribesman” to see how enlightening it was for climbers to step into this world!

The excitement doesn’t end there! We will be returning to the remote jungles of Papua in October to once again climb this incredible mountain. Don’t miss out on the opportunity; contact us today about climbing Carstensz Pyramid http://www.bergadventures.com/v3_trips/australasia/carstensz-pyramid-itinerary.php with Berg Adventures October 11 – November 03.

The trek to Carstensz Base Camp offers some of the most beautiful trekking

The trek to Carstensz Base Camp offers some of the most beautiful trekking

It also offers many challenges!

It also offers many challenges!

Incredible climbing and views on Carstensz summit da

Incredible climbing and views on Carstensz summit da

What You Really Need to Know about Altitude Sickness

Wednesday, April 2nd, 2014

Traveling to altitude for the first time can be scary because you don’t know what to expect. Prepare yourself and cast your fears aside. Did you know that only 0.05% of people who trek to Everest Base Camp at the same pace as Berg Adventures develop severe cases of altitude sickness known as HAPE and HACE? Read the full article here for more information about altitude sickness including physiological responses, common symptoms and when to seek medical attention.

Do you have more questions about altitude sickness and preparing yourself? Contact our office!