The winner will be able to pick between these two awesome posters.

Trained at university to be an accountant, she decided to go to Moscow to pursue her academic career. Moscow is a massive city with a population of more than 13 million, which, as you can imagine, is a real contrast from the simple life of the Caucasus Mountains. We did not see her for a couple of years. She tells the story of one day sitting in a coffee shop in Moscow when a surprised and excited city dweller approached her table smiling, “you are Karina from the Caucasus!”

In that instant Karina was reminded to who she really is; she left the coffee shop, went back to her apartment, packed her bags, and the next day gave notice at the accounting firm. By the end of the week she was back in the mountains.

Karina’s love for the mountains is not only for her back yard — On May 21, 2011 Karina became the first woman from her republic to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

Every year during the winters you will find Karina in the Elbrus region, skiing and ice climbing. Her schedule is also filled communicating with the BAI Canada office while she prepares the visa details and logistics for the upcoming summer season. We are proud that “Karina from the Caucasus” is back where she belongs and that she is available to work for the successful and rewarding Elbrus climbs Berg Adventures clients experience each year.

Berg Adventures has a NEW date for the Elbrus 2013 Expedition: June 19 – July 04, 2013 *Summer Solstice in St. Petersburg.

On a sunny summer day not far from Mount Elbrus, Karina sits on her trusty 4-wheel drive, which has been on many BAI adventures in the Caucasus Mountains.

Berg Adventures 2010 climbing team with Karina

Karina leading a team up Elbrus

This amazing photo of the North Side of Everest was a part of the presentation that Karina gave in her hometown of Nalchik to celebrate her successful ascent of Everest.

Beautiful views of the Caucasus!

Here is an example:

Day 4 – Drive to Lemosho Glades 6890ft (2100 m). Meet local staff and porters. Hike to Big Tree Camp 9,200ft (2804m) in a beautiful old growth forest.

• Altitude: 6,890ft (2100m) – 9,200ft (2804m)
• Distance: 3 miles (5 km)
• Trekking Time: 3-4 Hours
• Overnight at Big Tree Camp

Of course there are always unforeseen circumstances on the day; multiple stops for photo opportunities, snacks, and storytelling along the trail, so the travel time may vary. Most important we tackle this trail pole pole (slowly) as to allow the body to properly acclimatize.

Go to Lemosho route itinerary page to learn more.

Dispatches coming soon!

Joanne and David celebrating their 2011 summit of Kilimanjaro

Prayer wheels along the trail

Everest base camp and the Khumbu ice fall – the gateway to the top of the world!

Mount Ararat

Before we venture up the mountain, we will acclimatize by exploring some of Turkey’s most exciting places. The journey begins in Istanbul, one of the world’s most historically rich cities. We take in a few of the key historic sites including the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar. Next we head to Cappadocia where huge pinnacles of rock define the region’s lunar landscape and where buildings, including our hotel, are carved into the rocky hills. We will begin by exploring the ancient underground cities that served to protect villagers from invading armies for centuries. Then, to stretch our legs and prepare for Mount Ararat, we will climb Mount Hasan at 10,672ft/3,253m in the Cappadocia region.

Istanbul’s Blue Mosque

A balloon flies over Cappadocia

Finally, we head to the mountain. The climb involves basic glacier travel, but does not require mountaineering experience. On summit day, you will walk with crampons and an ice axe to the summit, but we will practice proper techniques during our acclimatization hikes so that you will be ready. We will spend four nights/five days on the mountain.

Climb to the summit

Looking for a family get-away during summer vacation this year? Our Turkey expedition is great for families. While the mountaineering required on Mount Ararat is suitable for young teenagers, we can make other travel arrangements for family members who do not want to climb.

Contact our office for more information or to reserve your spot on this year’s expedition so that you can see the wonders of Turkey firsthand! Dates for 2013 will be available soon. Visit the Turkey homepage.

Purchase Book

When people think of Everest icons, climbers like Sir Edmund Hillary and Reinhold Messner come to mind, but behind the scenes there is another beloved icon working long, hard hours each climbing season. Her name is Elizabeth Hawley. While Ms. Hawley has never climbed Mount Everest, she could describe the mountain to you in such detail that you would never believe that she hasn’t even been to Base Camp. Since 1963 when she reported on the American Everest Expedition, she has been collecting and archiving information about Himalayan climbs making her the leading expert on the subject. This month our featured book is her biography called I’ll Call You in Kathmandu: The Elizabeth Hawley Story by Bernadette McDonald.

Read the full book review here.

You want to meet Ms. Hawley? Join our 2013 Spring Everest Expedition!

The Nova Scotia Nature Trust has put together a great website with all sorts of useful information about the trek, the cause and fundraising. Check it out! http://expeditionfortheearth.ca/

The inconceivably beautiful Base Las Torres

Cozy cabins at Los Cuernos

Towering peaks and flowing waterfalls characterize this incredible circuit.

If you have questions about the trek, contact our office at info@bergadventures.com or the Nova Scotia Nature Trust at patagonia2012@nsnt.ca

Aconcagua climber Howard Stockburger

To plan your own Aconcagua adventure, visit the Aconcagua homepage or contact our office to get the latest Aconcagua brochure.

Anyone who has climbed Kilimanjaro knows that the old sign was more than a place marker; it was a symbol of accomplishment providing climbers with the last push they needed to make it all the way to the top. The new sign will surely fill the important role of the old one, and we can only hope that before long it will be just as weather-beaten and crooked.

I can’t help but wonder about what happened to the old one. I’m sure there is a good story there.

Be one of the first to get a summit shot with the new sign and join us on Kilimanjaro this summer!

Kilimanjaro’s new look

Sign no more

Terri is to climb the Barranco Wall

Onwards towards the summit

Looking down at the glaciers below

Tim and Rafael stand on the summit with guides Julius and Emmanuel

Upon returning home, Tim shared these great videos with us.

Here’s what Tim had to say about it:

“Everyone from the other tours was gathered around to watch the show. This is why we LOVE Berg…NO ONE else does this stuff!”

A big thanks to Tim for sharing these videos and to the rest of the team for sharing their experiences too.

Start planning a Kilimanjaro adventure of your own. Visit our Kilimanjaro homepage or contact our office today!

A classic Sherpa village surrounded by towering peaks

All of our adventures in Nepal begin in the colorful city of Kathmandu where the historic sites, the restaurants and the shopping could keep you occupied for days on end. After two days in the city, we fly to a place that so greatly contrasts Kathmandu – the land of the Sherpa’s, Everest’s Khumbu Valley. Our classic trip, the Everest Base Camp Trek, is offered twice a year and it is truly spectacular. This year we are also offering a shorter trek through the Everest Region over the Christmas holidays. This trip is designed to be family friendly, so bring the kids! In the next few months, we will also be introducing a trek to the remote Dolpo region of Nepal. Stay tuned to the newsletters and Berg Adventures Blog for more on this exciting new adventure!

Ama Dablam – quite the sight

If you have never done much trekking before, the Everest Base Camp Trek is a great introduction. Days are long and you’ll often find yourself walking up hill, but the pace is relaxed and you will be well looked after. We stay in comfortable tea lodges in spectacular locations all along the route, and have arguably the best cook in the region whose specialties include roasted chicken, “sushi” and chocolate cake.

If trekking to Base Camp doesn’t sound challenging enough for you, ask us about our High Passes of Everest adventure or about climbing one of the renowned peaks in the Everest region such as Lobuche Peak, Island Peak or Ama Dablam. Each of these adventures travels to base camp with the trekking team before branching off to further explore the beauty of the Everest Region.

A beautiful view of Everest from Gokyo on our High Passes Trek

We are also excited to announce that we have an Everest Expedition in Spring 2013. For more information visit the Everest page on our website or contact our office to arrange a time to discuss your Everest climbing ambitions with Wally Berg, world-class mountain guide and Everest expedition leader.

Everest Base Camp 2012 Dates:

• April 22 – May 15, 2012
• October 8 – October 30, 2012

For more information about our Everest Base Camp Trek click here.

For more information on our Christmas Trek click here.

Saint Basil’s Cathedral

Mount Elbrus is the tallest mountain on continental Europe standing at an impressive 18,586ft/5,665m and is one of the Seven Summits. At Berg Adventures, our Mount Elbrus Expedition, and its unique and exciting travel program through Russia, is one of the adventures of which we are most proud. Wally Berg has operated the trip through St. Petersburg to Moscow then on to the Caucasus mountains to climb Mount Elbrus each summer for the past 18 years.

In 2011 companies operating on Elbrus faced major challenges due to a regional closure at the access point of the South Side of Elbrus. Teams cancelled their climbs and others chose to climb the mountain’s North Side which meant longer days and rougher conditions resulting in unhappy climbers and fewer summit successes. Not Berg Adventures. Thanks to our local contacts, our staff in Russia and in our office in Canada, and our longstanding ties to the local community, we were able to operate two climbing expeditions via the South Side of the mountain. We were the only company to successfully climb via the South Side that year. The 2011 season proved to be exciting and confirmed that Berg Adventures is prepared for just about anything and is dedicated to getting you up the mountain.

Join us for another great climb this season!

Trip Dates:

• June 29 – July 14, 2012
• June 28 – July 13, 2013

*Private trips available. Contact our office for details.

Click here for more information about climbing Elbrus with Berg Adventures.

To read about last year’s adventures read the dispatches here: trip 1 and trip 2.

The walking team included a variety of interesting people including the book’s author, Rick Ridgeway. Most of this epic journey traveled through remote national parks and protected areas putting the team face to face with all kinds of wildlife from lions, hippos, and crocodiles to the less intimidating ungulates and birds. They also saw elephants – lots and lots of elephants.

Read the full review here.

Purchase the book from Amazon.

The expansive plains of East Africa

Join us for an African Adventure of your own! We still have a few spaces open on our 2012 Kilimanjaro trips and safaris are available on request year-round.

Visit our Wildlife Safari homepage and Kilimanjaro homepage.

The Nova Scotia Nature Trust is a conservation charity saving the places Nova Scotians love. It is the only Nova Scotian organization focused exclusively on protecting outstanding natural areas through private land conservation. To learn more about the Nova Scotia Nature Trust, visit their website at http://www.nsnt.ca/.

Stay tuned for more information about this exciting adventure!

Trip Dates: October 6-20, 2012

We have many exciting adventures ahead in 2012 and 2013. Call us at 1-866-609-4148 or email us at info@bergadventures.com to start planning the trip of your dreams.

Wishing everyone a fantastic new year!