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We’re giving away a free Berg Adventures poster to one lucky person. It is easy to enter; just ‘Like’ us on Facebook before Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 11:59pm. We will randomly select one lucky winner who will be notified on Thursday, May 24. If you already ‘Like’ us, you will automatically be entered to win! Click here to find us on Facebook.
The winner will be able to pick between these two awesome posters.
Karina is one of the most remarkable and accomplished young mountaineers in her region, Kabandino Balkaria, Russia, where Mount Elbrus is located. She grew up in the city of Nalchik, near the mountains, and at a young age she found herself going to the hills to ski, climb, and improve her skills as a guide. Karina first worked with Berg Adventures in 2003.
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!
Berg Adventures has mapped out a day to day calculation of altitude, distance, and trekking time for the Lemosho route. This is a tool to give you a better idea of what to expect when climbing up to the top of Africa.
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.
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.
Meanwhile, back in Canada, Joanne and David Genyk are packing up duffle bags and backpacks preparing for their next Berg adventure. On this journey, they will experience a whole new culture very different from Tanzania, Africa. Joanne and David will arrive straight into the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu; then trek through the liveliness of the Khumbu valley; remote villages, thin air, and towering peaks, as they follow the Everest climber’s footsteps into base camp.
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!
Ripe with untapped opportunities for outdoor exploration, Turkey is a spectacular travel destination for adventure seekers. Join us as we climb Turkey’s highest mountain, Mount Ararat at 16,854ft/5,137m. A glaciated, dormant volcanic cone, Mount Ararat has long been a site of intrigue because, according to Judeo-Christian tradition, it is the final resting place of Noah’s Ark. We will leave the quest for the Ark to the experts and focus on the summit, but we’ll keep our eyes open just in case.
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.
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!
We’d like to introduce Howard Stockburger, a Berg Adventures climber and member of our 2012 Aconcagua Expedition. He sent us a great recount of this year’s climb that we are happy to share with you. Read Howard’s article and visit other BAI climbers on the Meet a BAI Climber page.
Aconcagua climber Howard Stockburger
To plan your own Aconcagua adventure, visit the Aconcagua homepage or contact our office to get the latest Aconcagua brochure.
Say it ain’t so. The crooked, weather-beaten summit sign on Kilimanjaro will no longer greet climbers as they cross the mountain’s summit ridge and climb the mountain’s highest point. Now a shiny new sign stands at attention on Uhuru Peak waiting to congratulate a new generation of climbers.
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
Berg Adventures started the year right on Kilimanjaro. Climbers Tim, Terri and Rafael all made it to the summit of Africa’s highest mountain this January. Ascending along the Lemosho Traverse, the team spent nine days on the mountain and summited the 19,430ft/5,895m peak on Day 8 after spending a night in the crater at 18,700ft/5,700m. We enjoyed listening to their enthusiastic dispatches each morning in the office; they certainly sounded like they were having a great time. Congratulations Team!
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.
The team is welcomed to camp with singing and dancing. Maybe we should start a Berg Adventures choir!
When the team reached the trailhead at the bottom of the mountain, a buffet lunch and a team of acrobats were waiting for them.
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!
Visit the stunning homeland of the Sherpa people and stand in the shadow of the mountain they call Chomolungma – Mount Everest. Whether you want to climb a 6000m peak (or an 8000m peak!) or you want to embark on a trekking adventure, we’ve got the perfect trip for you.
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:
For more information about our Everest Base Camp Trek click here.
For more information on our Christmas Trek click here.
