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Archive for the ‘High Pass of Everest’ Category

Recapping Our Favorite Moments of 2014

Friday, December 19th, 2014

As yet another amazing year of adventures comes to and end we are looking back at some of our favorite moments of 2014. Enjoy these recaps of our teams’ success!

Paul Kitney started 2014 off with a climb of the second highest peak in South America: Ojos del Salado. He, Osvaldo and the BAI Bolivia climbing guides were our first team to reach a summit this year.

Thumbs up to starting the year off right with a summit of Ojos del Salado 22,615ft/6,993m

Thumbs up to starting the year off right with a summit of Ojos del Salado 22,615ft/6,993m

To continue off our success in South America our team of 9 climbers from Switzerland, Canada, Australia, Brazil, New Zealand and the United States were on the highest mountain in South America, Aconcagua at 22,841ft/6,962m.

Our Aconcagua team enters the beautiful Aconcagua Provincial Park

Our Aconcagua team enters the beautiful Aconcagua Provincial Park

In February we had two very memorable climbs of Kilimanjaro:

First Danny and Hendrik, two friends from the United States traversed to the top of this seven summit mountain via the Umbwe Northern Circuit route. Crossing some of the more remote and quite trails they reached the summit just as a snow storm was about to hit. They made it down to their lower camp just in time with memories to last a lifetime.

Danny and Hendrik with their guides Emmanuel and Samson on the top of Kilimanjaro

Danny and Hendrik with their guides Emmanuel and Samson on the top of Kilimanjaro

While Danny and Hendrik were making it down Bharath Samrat and his team of BAI guides and staff and journalist Shelia Nykwist were trekking to the summit as the wind and snow were picking up. After a night of sleeping with strong winds and freezing temperatures the team made it down to celebrate the achievement of Bharath’s inspirational dream, reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro at 19,340ft/5,895m.

The team after reaching the summit, just as the snow is rolling in

The team after reaching the summit, just as the snow is rolling in

In March BAI embarked on a unique expedition to one of the most remote summits that we climb: Carstensz Pyramid in the jungles of Papua, Indonesia. Our team took on the ultimate challenge of trekking, exploring and climbing their way to the top at 16,024ft/4,884m.

Trekking through the exotic thick jungles of Papua

Trekking through the exotic thick jungles of Papua

Carstensz Pyramid offered climbers some exciting traverses on their summit day

Carstensz Pyramid offered climbers some exciting traverses on their summit day.

Our first trip to Nepal in 2014 was with long time BAI climbers Dave Cohn, the Brown famil: Jim, Ryan and Jackson and their good friend Jim Allen. The team took to the trails experiencing the beautiful and colorful Sherpa culture and breathing the fresh mountain air as they reached Everest Base Camp at 17,500ft/5,334m.

The team in front of the ancient Tangboche Monastery

The team in front of the ancient Tangboche Monastery

Jackson surrounded by the great Himalayan peaks

Jackson surrounded by the great Himalayan peaks

This year during our Bolivia Mountain School expedition we were so happy to be a part of Chris Von Gartzen’s Climb for Paws. This fundraising climb was a mountaineering expedition to raise awareness for the plight of street dogs around the world. Chris and Micheline Thibodeau spent a week brushing up on their mountaineering skills and summiting Pequeneo Alpamayo, the 17,618ft/5,370m glaciated peak.

Chris and Micheline on Pequeno Alpamayo summit day

Chris and Micheline on Pequeno Alpamayo summit day

Micheline went on to join our group of 6 climbers from Canada, the United States and Sweden as they set out to Russia to explore the famous streets of two of the world’s most fascinating cities St. Petersburg and Moscow before travelling south to reach the summit of Europe’s highest point: Mount Elbrus.

The after midnight sunsets along the stunning streets of St. Petersburg never disappoint

The after midnight sunsets along the stunning streets of St. Petersburg never disappoint

The team on the summit of Mount Elbrus 18,510ft/5,642m

The team on the summit of Mount Elbrus 18,510ft/5,642m

In August we returned to Africa to enjoy the spirit and camaraderie that BAI Kilimanjaro climbs are famous for. This time the team experienced sleeping at high camp in the light of the Supermoon. Dancing, singing, incredible views and awesome team spirit were just some of the highlights of this fun-filled expedition.

Dancing and singing is what Berg Adventures Kili staff are famous for.

Dancing and singing is what Berg Adventures Kili staff are famous for.

BAI climbers were some of the first to reach the summit and stand in front of the newly erected summit sign.

BAI climbers were some of the first to reach the summit and stand in front of the newly erected summit sign.

Dave Cohn certainly had a year of achieving goals. After trekking through the Khumbu in May he returned to BAI with another impressive expedition in mind. He travelled to Bolivia in August to first immerse himself in the rich Bolivian culture before moving onto the Cordillera Real to reach the summit of Pequeno Alpamayo. His summit day is one we will never forget!

Dave Cohn geared up for his summit day on Pequeno Alpamayo.

Dave Cohn geared up for his summit day on Pequeno Alpamayo.

We were delighted to begin our busy fall season in Nepal off with father daughter comic duo Rich and Bonnie Alessio, a.k.a., the Grizzled Mountain Man and his trust sidekick the Sweaty Mess. This fun filled team trekked the Khumbu offering safety tips and entertaining explanations of the rugged mountain terrain as they made their way to Everest Base Camp.

Our comic book heroes high-five to a successful day of trekking in the Khumbu

Our comic book heroes high-five to a successful day of trekking in the Khumbu

A Guinness World Record was set and great adventure was had by all when BAI ran the Far Cry 4 “Quest for Everest”. With Dave Morton and Tom Grimshaw along to do the filming and Wally and Deirdre on hand along with Temba and the Sherpa staff, we ran what was most definitely the most unique trip on the BAI 2014 calendar. Will Cruz was the man of the hour when he set the record.

A unique experience for BAI; playing video games at 18,500ft5,650ft

A unique experience for BAI; playing video games at 18,500ft5,650ft

Our final expedition in Nepal included three enthusiastic teams of trekkers and climbers.

Our Fall 2014 Expedition team at Everest Base Camp

Our Fall 2014 Expedition team at Everest Base Camp

Barbara and Scott Martyn travelled from Canada to reach the base of the world’s tallest mountain. Their adventure included a tour of the famous streets of Kathmandu, a trek through the scenic trails of the Khumbu, a hike up Kala Pathar and an afternoon standing in awe at Base Camp.

Barbara and Scott along the trails

Barbara and Scott along the trails

After Ken Poskitt trekked to Base Camp with the fall expedition team he and his guide departed to explore some of the high reaches of the Everest region. Crossing some of the highest passes they made their way to Gokyo where they spent a couple nights in the remoteness of the edges of Gokyo Lake.

Ken stands proud at Everest Base Camp

Ken stands proud at Everest Base Camp

As Ken was making his way off to the High Passes Bob Mangino and father and son duo Frank and Travis Brier were preparing for their attempt of Island Peak. Their summit day was full of success as they climbed to the summit of the glaciated peak in great time and enjoyed the amazing views of the towering Himalayan peaks surrounding them.

The Island Peak team enjoying the summit

The Island Peak team enjoying the summit

Congratulations to all of our trekkers, climbers and expedition teams for their incredible accomplishments. Thank you to all of you at home who followed along on dispatches and supported our teams as they turned their dreams into realities. Don’t miss out on your next great adventure; contact our office for more information and to make your own great memories in 2015!

A Recap on our Fall Season in Nepal

Thursday, November 27th, 2014

We are wrapping up yet another successful expedition season in Nepal . Berg Adventures is so proud of all climbers and trekkers who took on challenges and achieved their impressive goals!

We began this fall season with our comic book duo “the Grizzled Mountain Man and his trusty sidekick the Sweaty Mess”. This fun father daughter team, Rich and Bonnie Alessio, trekked through the Khumbu and kept us smiling as they called each day with updates. Their dispatches or “episodes” were filled with beautiful photos, informative explanations and stories of their three week adventure. After their Berg Adventures trip ended Bonnie went on to Bhutan to take part in a biking adventure. We can’t wait for the next book. As the duo would say; “Till next time”!

Father and daughter team Rich the Grizzled Mountain Man and Bonnie the Sweaty Mess

Father and daughter team Rich the Grizzled Mountain Man and Bonnie the Sweaty Mess

Read the stories of the comic book “Alessio’s Adventure” by checking out their dispatches.

Alessio Adventure team at Everest base camp

Alessio Adventure team at Everest base camp

Our next Nepal expedition was the Quest for Everest trek with Ubisoft. Ubisoft, the creator of the Far Cry videogames, held a contest for one lucky gamer to trek to Everest base camp and play the 4th installment of the game along the trails. It was an awesome experience for the entire team and full of unique moments. Some of the trip highlights included Will and the Sherpa team playing Far Cry 4, Wally and Deirdre meeting the comic book duo Rich and Bonnie on the trails, spending three nights camping at Everest base camp and our first time in the jungles of Chitwan. After returning home from the trek the team was so happy to find out that after a 7-hour day on top of Kala Pathar the team had helped Ubisoft secure the Guinness World Record for the Highest Altitude Console Gaming Session.

Part of the Quest for Everest team; Deirdre, Wally, Sonam, Tom, Will and Dave pose below the Icefall and the Far Cry 4 Camp

Part of the Quest for Everest team; Deirdre, Wally, Sonam, Tom, Will and Dave pose below the Icefall and the Far Cry 4 Camp

You can read all about this once in a lifetime journey of Ubisoft’s Far Cry 4 Quest for Everest site.

A once of a lifetime opportunity; playing video games at 18,500ft

A once of a lifetime opportunity; playing video games at 18,500ft

The last group to meet in Nepal was our Ultimate Nepal Adventure Team. The group had quite the agenda. With three expeditions planned they all met in Kathmandu ready to take on their goals. For Scott and Barbara Martyn it was to reach Everest base camp and stand in the shadows of the world’s tallest mountain. They trekked with their team through the Sherpa villages and enjoyed the beautiful mountain scenery the Himalaya have to offer.

The ultimate adventure team

The ultimate adventure team

Scott and Barbara on top of Kala Patar

Scott and Barbara on top of Kala Patar

For Ken Poskitt it was to continue on from Everest base camp into the High Passes of Everest. After departing from the group in Pheriche he and his guides continued on to the more remote passes of the Khumbu valley. They trekked three impressive passes; the Cho (La 15,748ft/4,800m), Gokyo Ri (17,576ft/5,357m) and Renjo La (16306ft/4,970m) while staying in some beautiful lodges and homes of our Sherpa friends.

Ken having a great time at Everest Base Camp

Ken having a great time at Everest Base Camp

You can see more from these two great adventures by checking out the dispatches.

Our last group set their goals with an incredible feat; reaching 20,305ft/6,190m on the summit of Island Peak. The group enjoyed their time at Island Peak base camp and high camp as they acclimatized, practiced their mountaineering skills, and prepared their gear for the climb. After waking in the early morning for an alpine start Bob, Frank and Travis began their accent of this glaciated peak. After reaching the summit the team, with their climbing guides Sandkup Sherpa and Jatha Rai, made it back down to base camp at noon where nice hot meals and Ang Temba Sherpa were waiting to congratulate the team!

Our amazing climbers at the top of Island Peak

Our amazing climbers at the top of Island Peak

Check out the Island Peak dispatches for some great photos.

After such an awesome season in Nepal this fall we are heading back to Nepal to trek to Everest Base Camp from April 18 –May 11, 2015. Don’t miss out on your ultimate Nepal adventure! Contact our office for details.

For your chance to see incredible views of Everest join us in April when we return for our base camp trek!

For your chance to see incredible views of Everest join us in April when we return for our base camp trek!