Berg Adventures Blog

Everest Base Camp Trek Spring 2013: What Makes It Special?

February 6th, 2013

This spring marks both the 60th anniversary of the first ascent of Mount Everest, as well as the 50th anniversary of the first American ascent. It will be an exciting time in Everest’s Khumbu region and we welcome you to join us in the celebration!

In April 2013, Berg Adventures alumni will attempt to summit Mt. Everest for themselves. YOU have the opportunity to trek with the team to Everest Base Camp where you will spend two nights enjoying the camaraderie as the team prepares for their ascent to the top of the world. What else makes our Spring 2013 Everest Base Camp Trek so special?

Trekking with a Berg Adventures Mount Everest climbing team is not inherently different from our other Base Camp treks; we follow the same trails, see the same remarkable scenery, stay at the same welcoming tea lodges and eat the same delicious home-cooked meals. What makes this trip different is that you get to experience the trek through the eyes of an Everest climber.

The Boudanath Stupa in Kathmandu

From the moment you land at the Lukla Airport, you will feel the excitement of the season upon you. The air is palpable with the feeling of anticipation and all hopeful eyes are cast upon the summit of the great Chomolungma. You will see the signs of expedition preparation at every turn: endless trains of yaks carrying climbing gear and supplies, teams of climbers gathered around maps, lamas offering blessings and locals offering well wishes, and the transformation of Everest Base Camp from a pile of moraine into a bustling city of tents.

Mist descends upon the village of Namche Bazaar

Spending two nights camping at Everest Base Camp with the team will be an unforgettable experience that will give you one final glimpse into the life of an Everest climber. At camp you will get to see the challenges that the team faces as you stare up at the dramatic wall of the Khumbu Ice Fall, watch the snow blowing off of Mount Everest’s summit and feel the cool morning air before the sun reaches camp. With a bit of luck, you may find yourself at Base Camp for the traditional Buddhist ceremony called the pooja. Not until the pooja has been performed can the team proceed into the Khumbu Icefall.

Colorful tents reflect the vibrant atmosphere of Everest Base Camp

On this trip you will receive all of the benefits of a Berg Adventures trek – excellent guides and support staff, a private team cook serving three hot, fresh meals and at least one snack per day, cozy nights in welcoming lodges and a level of service that will make you wish that everyday could be a Berg Adventures Day!

Questions? Contact our office: info@bergadventures.com

Trip Dates: March 22 to April 12, 2013

Posted in Everest, Everest base camp |

Vinson 2012 Expedition Photo Recap

December 11th, 2012

On Dec. 5 at 3:25 pm (CLST), Wally Berg, Todd Passey, and Vaughan Barlow made it to the summit of Mt. Vinson! This marks Vaughan’s first ascent of Mt. Vinson, and the 5th of his continental high points of the Seven Summits. It is the 17th for Todd Passey and the 7th for Wally Berg.

View photo recap part I and part II.

Vaughan at the summit of Mt. Vinson

Posted in General |

BAI Gift Certificates Now Available

December 1st, 2012

Not sure what to get that special someone for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays or any other special occasion? Why not gift an adventure!! BAI now offers gift certificates in any denomination!

Berg Adventures gift certificates can be redeemed for any one of our trips worldwide!

See BAI store for more details.

Posted in General |

Elbrus 2012 Expedition Recap

August 1st, 2012

Berg Adventures had another great season on Elbrus this year. It was a season full of sun, plenty of laughs and countless memories.

As always, the team started in Saint Petersburg and after seeing the sights they traveled by midnight train to Moscow. They visited the Red Square (literally across the street from their hotel!) and saw the iconic St Basil’s Cathedral before flying to the Caucasus Mountains.

BAI guide Karina greeted the team at the airport in Mineralnye Vody and drove them to Terskol where the climbing portion of the trip began. Each day they hiked and climbed in the mountains around Terskol, using the chairlifts to facilitate their acclimatization to the altitude. Once they were ready, they moved up to The Barrels at 14,110ft/4,300m where they spent three nights as they staged their summit attempt.

On July 11, the team woke up at 1am for a 3am departure. The weather started out badly, but the wind died down and the sun came out as they reached higher elevations. It turned out to be a beautiful day to stand on the summit of Mount Elbrus (18,586ft/5665m), the highest point on Continental Europe!

Enjoy these great photos from the 2012 expedition.

Like what you see? Join the Berg Adventures Elbrus Expedition team in 2013! Click here for more information.

The Team arrives in the Caucasus Mountains.

Starting our acclimatization hike with a chairlift ride

The view from one of our acclimatization hikes

Karen on the chairlift to the Barrels

Mac on Elbrus

Barbara climbs higher.

Jason with the summit of Elbrus in the background

Another beautiful day on the mountain – the twin summits of Elbrus

Karina is at home on the mountain.

Setting out on summit day

Karen climbs above the clouds.

Approaching the summit of Elbrus in the sun

Lenny on the summit of Elbrus

Hugo brought his family all the way to the top of Russia.

Heading back down the mountain

Posted in Elbrus, Expedition News |

A Special Birthday Climb of Kilimanjaro: Trip Recap

July 20th, 2012

We had a fantastic time on Kilimanjaro this June on a special birthday climb for Dr. Charles Martin who turned 75 this year. With him for the challenge were his three daughters and some other close friends and family – a dream of his for a long time now. It was a wonderful trip and everyone realized their goal, to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro. Way to go team!

Plan your own birthday adventure or family reunion on Kilimanjaro. Call our office today!

Visit the Kilimanjaro homepage for more information.

Click here for upcoming dates or call us to discuss setting your own custom trip dates.

Steve and Susan in Arusha

Looking out above the clouds

Doc and his daughters on Kilimanjaro – the dream

Our beautiful camp at the base of the Western Breach

Doc on the Barranco Wall

Rita enjoying every minute

The team made it to the top of the Barranco Wall

Happy Birthday to Doc Martin! Complete with a cake baked right there on the mountain.

No birthday would be complete without champagne!

The team climbs higher.

Almost there!

A Red Bull pick-me-up at Stella Point for the final push. Our BAI staff are always full of surprises.

Doc and his daughters on the summit of Kilimanjaro

The doctors on the summit

Back to camp we go – so much snow on Kilimanjaro this year!

Posted in Expedition News, Kilimanjaro |

Climb Aconcagua – to the Rooftop of the Western Hemisphere

July 4th, 2012

Every January, we start our new year with a climb of South America’s highest peak, Aconcagua. Standing at a jaw-dropping 22,841ft/6,961m, Aconcagua is a true mountaineering challenge that requires strength, endurance and careful acclimatization. The climb is beautiful and full of excitement – a perfect adventure!

A beautiful day for a climb

The sheer magnitude of Aconcagua makes it a great destination for anyone looking to gain expedition experience and also exposure to a high altitude climb. Those with their eyes set on Himalayan climbs will find our Aconcagua expedition to be a valuable part of their training and preparation.

Aconcagua

A lunar landscape high on the mountain

At Berg Adventures we always offer the highest standards in the industry. Our Aconcagua expedition is certainly no exception to this rule. Camps are comfortable and stocked with the highest quality of gear and supplies. Our guides and porters will carry all group gear, but if you also want someone to carry your personal gear, private porters are available. We do not hire porters when we arrive in Argentina, instead as bring in our experienced and professional Bolivian team of guides and porters so make sure you let us know in advance!

Osvaldo carries a big load.

Food on the mountain is exceptional and we pride ourselves on offering a wide variety of fresh foods. Favorites on Aconcagua include Taco Night, pancakes (with real maple syrup!) and hamburgers (no easy feat for our cooks at above 18,000ft/5480m). Hydration is important at altitude, so make sure that clean water is readily available to climbers and we serve plenty of hot drinks throughout the day to keep you moving and feeling good.

Aconcagua is different every season and weather is always an important factor that we consider for our summit attempt. We get detailed forecasts every day and try to time our summit attempts just right. At the end of the day, however, the mountain always has the final say so patience is important. That’s what makes Aconcagua so exciting and humbling. Join us in January to see for yourself!

Aconcagua from a lookout early in the trip

Plaza Canada Camp

Looking down at Plaza Canada

To learn more about the climb, visit our Aconcagua homepage or contact our office. To hear about last year’s climb check out the archived dispatches and read Howard Stockburger’s trip summary on the Meet a BAI Climber page.

Posted in Aconcagua, Expedition News |

Explore Tibet with Berg Adventures

June 13th, 2012

Berg Adventures is heading to Tibet in October/November this year and you’re invited to join us. Tibet is known as one of the spiritual centers of the world, but it is so much more.

The Tibetan Plateau sits at an average elevation of 13,000ft-15,000ft/3960m – 4570m. The historic capital is the incredible city of Lhasa which lies at a height of 11,450ft/3490m and it is the perfect place to start our adventure as it submerses us in the rich culture and Buddhist traditions of Tibet. One of our first stops is an architectural wonder, the Potala Palace, which was constructed in the 1600s atop Marpo Ri (“Red Hill”) and stands watch over the capital city. The building is enormous standing 13 stories high, 1,300ft/400m long and 1150ft/350m wide with walls that are 16ft/5m thick at the base. Inside the palace holds 1000 rooms, 10,000 shrines and 200,000 statues. We will also visit the city’s monasteries and walk around the Jokang Square.

Potala Palace

After exploring Lhasa, we begin our journey down the Friendship Highway which connects Lhasa with Kathmandu. We will travel through incredible remote and expansive terrain surrounded by the world’s highest peaks including Mount Everest which lies on the border between Tibet and Nepal. Our overland journey back to Kathmandu will introduce us to rural life in Tibet where the economy is dominated by subsistence agriculture – not an easy job on the high plateau. Only a handful of crops grow here including barley, buckwheat, rye and potatoes, though some lower valleys are more fertile and agreeable for less hardy crops. Herding animals is also a common form of subsistence and you will see many sheep, goats, and of course, yaks.

A woman walks along a remote section of the Friendship Highway

A colorful horse pulls a wagon

A roadside stop to pose with a friendly yak

A highlight of the journey will be to see Mount Everest from the north side. We will visit Everest Base Camp North which is accessible by road, unlike the South Base Camp in Nepal which is only accessible by foot. Click here to see the Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary for details.

Everest Base Camp North with Mount Everest in the background

Trip dates inclusive of international travel from North America are October 25 – November 7, 2012. This trip is also available as an extension of our October Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal. See Mount Everest from both sides!

To learn more, visit the Berg Adventures Tibet Homepage or contact our office info@bergadventures.com.

Posted in Tibet |

Meet the BAI Climber: Raquel Coelho

June 12th, 2012

Meet the Berg Adventures Climber, Raquel Coelho, who climbed with us on Lobuche in October 2011. In addition to being a great climber, she is also a skilled photographer. To see some of her spectacular photographs and to read her interview with Leila Silveira, visit our Meet the BAI Climber page!

Raquel Coelho

Posted in General |

Wally Berg to Speak in Halifax June 5

May 29th, 2012

Join Wally Berg and the Nova Scotia Nature Trust in Halifax on Tuesday, June 5 at 7pm for a presentation about Patagonia. Wally will share photos from his adventures, discuss conservation in Patagonia and walk through the itinerary of the NSNT fundraising trek taking place in February 2013. Following his talk is a showing of the film 180º South about the Patagonian adventures of climber Jeff Johnson. The event will take place at the Labatt Breweries Atlantic Beer Institute. See the event flyer for more details.

Join the Patagonia ‘W’ Trek for the Nova Scotia Nature Trust! Note that the dates have changed:

February 1 – 9, 2013

Visit the Berg Adventures NSNT Patagonia homepage for more details.

To find out more about other Patagonia adventures, visit our Patagonia homepage.

Posted in General, Patagonia |

10 Reasons to Join Berg Adventures in Ecuador

May 29th, 2012

Why should you join Berg Adventures on this exciting expedition to Ecuador where we will climb some of the world’s tallest volcanoes? I’ll tell you why…

You get the opportunity to climb the three tallest mountains in Ecuador – Cotopaxi, Cayambe, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo standing at heights of 18,900ft/5790m, 19,350/5,9000m, and 20, 701ft/6,310m respectively.
Berg Adventures guides are the best! They are experienced and enthusiastic.
We provide great communication with your families back home in our daily dispatches! We also have an emergency 24 hour on-call phone number which your family members can call should they need to reach you while you are away.
We always practice and review necessary skills before heading up the mountain. This trip will help you gain confidence and expand your mountaineering abilities.
You will see beautiful snow-covered summits and dramatic volcano craters. Plus, you will have the chance to stand on the farthest point from the center of the earth, the summit of Chimborazo.
Ecuador is known for its colorful markets. We will visit one of the largest and most famous ones, the Otavalo Market.
The culture of Ecuador is incredibly diverse. You will meet wonderful people, see unique works of art and taste delicious foods. Try the roasted guinea pig; it is a delicacy in Ecuador!
You will see amazing sunrises and sunsets in the highlands of Ecuador.
To recover from the rigors of climbing, we spend time at a beautiful hacienda with hot springs on-site.
Berg Adventures climbers are awesome! People who climb with Berg Adventures come from all over the world and are all passionate about adventure travel. Join the Ecuador Expedition Team and find out for yourself!