• 8 November
• 7 November
• 6 November
• 4 November
• 3 November
• 2 November
• 1 November
• 30 October
• 29 October
• 28 October
• 27 October
  
• 26 October
• 25 October
• 24 October
• 23 October
• 22 October
• 21 October
• 20 October
• 19 October
• 18 October 
• 17 October
• 16 October
• 14 October
  
• Team Roster

8 November –

TODAY’S TWEET FROM EXPEDITION LEADER DAN MAZUR: NOW DOWN IN SAFE KHUMBU VALLEY. WONDERFUL 2 BE IN THE HOME VALLEY OF EVEREST, SHERPAS, YAKS, DELISH CHOCO CAKE. ALLSWELL 

7 November –

TODAY’S TWEET FROM EXPEDITION LEADER DAN MAZUR: WE ARE AT AMPHU LACROSSED AMFU LABSA PASS 5900M/19,352FT. 16 MEMBERS, 7 SHERPS, 9 KITCHEN CREW & 34 PORTER. ALL SAFE ON ROCK, ICE & SNOW.

6 November –

TODAY’S TWEET FROM EXPEDITION LEADER DAN MAZUR: WE ARE AT AMPHU LABTSA HIGH CAMP, ALT 5675M/18,614FT. WEATHER PERFECT. WE PLAN TO CROSS THE PASS IN EARLY MORNING. back to top

4 November –

TODAY’S TWEET FROM EXPEDITION LEADER DAN MAZUR: 10 MEMBERS & 8 SHERPS SUMMIT BARUNTSE 7152M/23,000FT. SUNNY, CALM, CLEAR - AMAZING VIEWS. EVERYONE IS BACK SAFE & SOUND.

Our tents and dining tents are in High camp. Photo Frank Seidel. Our Sherpa team resting in high camp. Photo Frank Seidel.

3 November –

TODAY’S TWEET FROM EXPEDITION LEADER DAN MAZUR: IN C2 @ 6373M/21,100FT. TODAY WAS SUNNY. 2NIGHT WINDY & COLD. 14 MEMBERS & 6 SHERPS GO 4 SUMMIT IN 6 HR. PLS WISH US LUCK

TODAY’S TWEET FROM EXPEDITION LEADER DAN MAZUR: 15 MEMBERS CLIMB TO C1 @ 6110M/20,040FT. SUNNY, NO NEW SNOW. ITS WINDY BUT ROUTE SEEMS TO BE IN GOOD SHAPE FOR CLIMB.back to top

TODAY’S TWEET FROM EXPEDITION LEADER DAN MAZUR: 1 MEMBER SENT A "SPOT BEACON" MESSAGE 2 THEIR FAMILY & INADVERTLY BEGAN SEARCH & RESCUE. THEY WERE FINE OF COURSE. OOPS!

 

Carla Strong practicing abseiling on ice training day, Naulekh Glacier. Photo by Andrew Davis.

2 November –

TODAY’S TWEET FROM EXPEDITION LEADER DAN MAZUR: REST DAY AT BARUNTSE BASECAMP. SUNNY, WARM, WATCHING 7 PEOPLE SUMMIT THROUGH BINOCULARS. TOMORROW ITS OUR TURN.

1 November –

TODAY’S TWEET FROM EXPEDITION LEADER DAN MAZUR: ACCLIMATION WALK TO WEST COL, CIRCA 6000 M/19,680FT. SUNNY DAY, NICE VIEWS OF, & A RADIO CALL WITH AMA DABLAM. CONGRATS!

 

Milan Sramek (Slovakia) soaks up a twilight's last spears of sun at Tagnag Lake. Photo by Michael Moritz. Carla Strong (New Zealand) and Holly Budge (England) get their climbing kit on for ice climbing training at the Naulekh Glacier. Photo by Andrew Davis.

30 October –

TODAY’S TWEET FROM EXPEDITION LEADER DAN MAZUR: IN BARUNTSE BC @ 5400M/17,712FT. 360D MNTNS, BENEATH E FACE, SHERPS & MEMBERS DANCED UP A STORM @ 2DAYS PRAYER CEREMONY. back to top

29 October –

TODAY’S TWEET FROM EXPEDITION LEADER DAN MAZUR: BARUNTSE TEAM WALKS UP THE WARM HONGKU VALLEY TO SETHO POKHARI @ 5150 M / 16,892 FT. SUNNY DAYS & GORGEOUS FULL MOON.

28 October –

TODAY’S TWEET FROM EXPEDITION LEADER DAN MAZUR: NOW WE R ONLY BARUNTSE EXPEDITION. WE MISS OUR MERA FRIENDS. WE ARE CAMPED @ RATO- ORAL @ 4800 M / 15,744 FT. SUN, GRASS, WARM.

27 October –

Today's dispatch is written by Jennifer Klich and Holly Budge.

On Friday 26th October, Holly Budge, Corne Deelen and Sherpa Jangbu summated Mera Peak at 6.00am, after leaving high camp at 2am. Over the next 10 hours, 20 more members of the Summit Climb team and 9 sherpas successfully summited.The weather was sunny blue skies, little wind, with a spectacular view of the surrounding Himalayan peaks including Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho-Oyo, Ama Dablam, Pumori & Baruntse. Holly snowboarded from half way down the descent, after crossing the crevasse, back towards high camp. She said the snow was difficult to ride on, with icy sections & hard, bumpy bits resulting in a bruised bum!  Dan put his skiis on and decided the snow was too icy and would wait for better conditions next time. Good move Dan! Yesterday, we bid farewell to 12 members who are trekking back to Lukla over the next 5 days, then flying back to Kathmandu. 17 members, including three females, are now preparing for the second half of their trip, to climb 7000m peak, Baruntse. They are trekking through the valleys for the next two days to reach Base Camp. Over the next 10 days or so, the team will continue to acclimatise and make preparations for their summit bid around November 4th, even though it has been rumoured that no-one has successfully summated Baruntse this year. The girls, including Holly Budge, Jen Klich & Carla Strong are definitely holding their own against the boys, in the cards games as well as on the mountain, admiring the sherpas from afar and perfecting the art of using a She-Wee! The team is expected to arrive in Namche Bazaar on November 10th, for some much needed chocolate cake, billiards and clubbing "sherpa-style".

Holly Budge snowboarding down Mera Peak, with Mount Everest in the background. Photo by Corne Deelen. Holly Budge snowboarding down Mera Peak. Photo by Corne Deelen.

Jangbu Sherpa and Holly Budge on the summit of Mera Peak, Everest in the background. Photo by Corne Deelen. Untouched rugged valleys abound in the vicinity of Mera Peak. As seen from Mera Peak summit in a photo by Michael Moritz.

Mera Peak Team resting on the foresummit, before ascending final ropes to the top. It is a perfect sunny day with no wind. Photo by Michael Moritz. Jangbu Sherpa stands atop the summit of Mera Peak and monitors the rope he fixed while Felipe from Brazil ascends. Photo by Michael Moritz.

Staff serving delicious lunch to members in tent on Mera Peak. photo by Michael Moritz. Mera Peak high camp with the Himalaya in the background. Photo by Michael Moritz.

Team climbs up to Mera high camp from the Mera La. Photo by Michael Moritz. Jennifer Klich, from Tampa, Florida, on the summit of Mera Peak. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Pumori behind. Photo by Lhakpa Garmu Sherpa.

Climbers descending the zig zag trails past crevasses and clouds, coming down Mera Peak. Photo by Micheal Moritz.  Lounging atop Mera Peak, soaking up the views of Lhotse South Face and Everest. Photo by Michael Moritz.

Yay, Bavarian Flag on top of Mera Peak, in the hands of Michael Moritz. Photo by Frank Seidel. Andrew Davis, from Edina Minnesota, on the summit of Mera Peak. Photo by Richard Cotter BERGHAUS

Rato Oral camp at 4400 metres - 14,400 feet on the trek to Baruntse basecamp; after a light dusting of snow. Photo by Michael Moritz. Heli comes in for a landing to pick up an exhausted climber. Photo by Michael Moritz.

26 October –

TODAY’S TWEET FROM EXPEDITION LEADER DAN MAZUR: ALL 21 MEMBERS & 9 SHERPAS ARE NOW ON THE SUMMIT OF MERA PEAK 6476 METRES / 21,241 FEET. SUNSHINE, NO CLOUD, NO WIND.

Joe Medina shows off at ice practice while James Kaminski, Shera Sherpa, Joel Kaminski, Richard Cotter, Toni Taylor, and Paul Brophy look on. Photo by Michael Moritz. The route to Mera Peak's summit in profile as seen from Kare Village. Photo by Andrew Davis

TODAY’S TWEET FROM EXPEDITION LEADER DAN MAZUR: WE WALKED TO MERA HIGH CAMP TODAY @ 5780 METRES / 18,958 FEET. CHILLY & WINDY BUT A GOOD CAMP WITH SPECTACULAR VIEWS. 

25 October –

TODAY’S TWEET FROM EXPEDITION LEADER DAN MAZUR: SUPER DAY @ MERA BASE ON THE SHORES OF NAULEKH LAKE. FUN ICE TRAINING FOLLOWED BY DELICIOUS LUNCH. WE ARE ONLY TEAM HERE ! back to top

Team photo before setting off for glacier training on the Naulekh Glacier at 5100 metres / 16,728 feet. Photo Dan Mazur. back to top

24 October –

TODAY’S TWEET FROM EXPEDITION LEADER DAN MAZUR: WE CROSSED THE MERA LA @ 5415 METRES / 17,761 FEET & REACHED NAULEKH LAKE @ 5100 METRES / 16,728 FEET. GORGEOUS WEATHER.

Australian friends Jules, Alice, Perry, and Sonja trying out their climbing harnesses. Photo by Jennifer Klich. Richard Cotter, Berghaus, reading 'Everest' by Sir Chris Bonnington, in Kare Village 4900 metres /16,072 feet. Photo by Andrew Davis. back to top

23 October –

Dear SummitClimbNews reader. We are currently away in a remote and lessvisited valley of Nepal which is near to Mount Everest. We are two trekking and climbing groups of men and women of all ages and abilities, one an "easier" trekking/walking trip to the top of Mount Mera at 6476 metres / 21,241 feet, and the other an accomplishable and exhilirating climbing trip to the top of Mount Baruntse at 7152 metres / 23,458 feet. After the treks and climbs are finished, we plan to cross the Amphu Labtsa Pass at 5839 metres / 19,151 feet and descend into the famous Khumbu Valley where Mount Everest is located. Upon our descent, we will walk past Everest to the romantic village of Namche Bazaar, capital of the Sherpa people where comfortable hotels and delicious bakeries abound. Finally we will fly from the tiny mountain airport of Lukla, back to Kathmandu, Nepal's capital city. After resting for a few days, we look forward to assembling our humanitarian team of men and women of all ages from all walks of life and then setting off into an unusually remote and roadless part of Nepal, where tourists never visit, to work together with poor Nepali families to deliver needed medicines, books and clothing, teach in the local schools, visit and care for patients in modest village hospitals, and to construct a new wing of classrooms, a library and computer room at the developing Charmading High School, which now serves 400 students and is the only high school of its kind in the region, offering poor kids the rare chance to study up to class 12. back to top

Let me share with you for a moment our present location. Currently our trekking and climbing teams of men and women of all ages and abilities are camped beneath the lovely and rarely spotted Mount Naulekh at 6368 metres / 20,887 feet. This morning we are relaxing in a pleasant camp on the calm shores of beautiful blue Naulekh Lake at 5100 metres / 16,728 feet. Surrounding us are Mounts Naulekh, Mera, lots of rocky "smaller" peaks, and the Chamlang mountain range, a massive snow and ice barrier on the otherside of the lovely, grassy Hingku valley. This afternoon we plan to walk a wee bit up hill for 20 minutes, in order to practice an our or 2 of rope training on some 6 metre / 20 foot high icy slopes of the Naulekh Glacier.This is a great place to train for ice climbing and glacier descending as it offers something for everyone, from the beginner to the expert.

Yesterday we crossed Nepal's famous pass, the "Mera La" at 5415 metres / 17,761 feet. There is a large flat glacier up there on the the top with a lovely winding walking trail over the brilliant white ice and stunning mountains all around. After resting today, tomorrow we plan to walk up to Mera High Camp at 5780 metres / 18,958 feet and then walk to Mera's gorgeous 6500 metre / 21,320 foot high summit, with some of the best views imagineable of Mount Everest, our world's highest, Mount Kangchenjunga,  3rd highest, Mount Makalu, 4th highest, Mount Lhotse, 5th highest, and Mount Cho Oyu, 6th highest. I can't think of any mountain which could provide such incredible vistas, unless it is mighty Mount Everest itself. back to top

Team walks to Kare Village, Triputi Peaks in the background. Photo by Michael Moritz. Milan Sramek and Teuvo Saario preparing our expedition solar equipment while Dan looks on in amazement. Photo by Michael Moritz.

Two of our group plan to add to Mera's fun and excitement by skiing and snowboarding down from the summit. What a thrill to slice soft fluffy powder while looking at Everest. The rest of the group will walk down on the wide and easy snow trail wearing their crampons. After climbing and descending Mera, our team will divide, 1/2 the group making the 5 day return walk to Kathmandu, where loads of comfortable hotels, delicious meals, refreshing spas and exotic temples abound. The rest of us will carry on down to Kongma Dingma Village at 4800 metres / 15, 744 feet and then on to climb famous Mount Baruntse, one of Nepal's "easiest" 7000 metre / 22, 960 foot high mountains, which is just 16 kilometres / 10 miles from Everest.

We are all very excited to enjoy the adventures to come and have been having fun being a part of this interesting and friendly group of men and women of all ages and abilities.

I wish you were here and send all my best thoughts and wishes to you and yours. Thank you very much. Best for now, Dan Mazur, Mera - Baruntse expedition leader

TODAY’S TWEET FROM EXPEDITION LEADER DAN MAZUR: WARM SUNNY REST DAY TODAY @ KARE CAMP. WE PREPARED OUR HARNESSES, ICE AXES, BOOTS, @ CRAMPONS; PRACTICED SELF ARREST. back to top

22 October –

TODAY’S TWEET FROM EXPEDITION LEADER DAN MAZUR: MERA BARUNTSE TEAM REACHES 4900 METRES / 16092 FEET @ KARE VILLAGE. VERY HIGH ALTITUDE. GOOD WEATHER. EVERYONE IS OK.

 

Mera Peak towers above Kote Village. In foreground prayer flags flutter and a solar panel stands upon a rooftop. Photo by Andrew Davis. Delicious spaghetti dinner prepared by our skillful cooks at Kote camp. Pasta with freshly grated cheese, fresh spinach, sauteed onions and grillled steak. Photo by Andrew Davis.

21 October -

TODAY’S TWEET FROM EXPEDITION LEADER DAN MAZUR: MERA BARUNTSE TEAM REACHES TAGNAG VILLAGE @ 4280 METRES / 14038 FEET, AFTER COOL CEREMONY @ LOCAL BUDDHIST TEMPLE/CAVE. back to top

Ms. Yangjie Sherpa serves good morning wakeup tea. Photo by Andrew Davis

20 October -

TODAY’S TWEET FROM EXPEDITION LEADER DAN MAZUR: GLORIOUS REST DAY IN KOTE. SUNSHINE, HOT SHOWERS, CLEAN LAUNDRY, GOOD FOOD, NATURE WALKS & NAPS. ALLS WELL. back to top

19 October -

TODAY’S TWEET FROM EXPEDITION LEADER DAN MAZUR: TEAM WALKS FROM CHETRA TO KOTE @ 3691 METRES / 12106 FEET. FEELS GOOD TO BE @ LOWER ALTITUDE. WEATHER STILL DRY.

 

18 October-

TODAY’S TWEET FROM EXPEDITION LEADER DAN MAZUR: MERA - BARUNTSE TEAM CROSSES CHETRA LA @ 4600 METRES / 15088 FEET, THEN CAMPS @ 415O / 13612 FEET. HIGH ALT BUT ALL GOOD. back to top

 

17 October-

TODAY’S TWEET FROM EXPEDITION LEADER DAN MAZUR: MERA - BARUNTSE TEAM TREKS TO KARKITENG @ 4000 METRES / 13,120 FEET. EVERYONE IS WELL. GOOD WEATHER.back to top

A prodigious pile of yak dung powers the mighty room heater in the big dining room in Kare Village. Photo by Michael Moritz. Delicate dry land autumn flowers grace an alpine meadow near Kare Village. Photo by Michael Moritz.

16 October-

TODAY’S TWEET FROM EXPEDITION LEADER DAN MAZUR: MERA-BARUNTSE TEAM REACHES CHUTANGA ELEVATION 3250 METRES / 10660 FEET. EVERYONE IS FEELING WELL.

  

Zopkios on the main street in Lukla. Photo by Frank Seidel. Zopkioks waiting for loads in Lukla. Photo by Jen Klich. Small plane landing at Lukla airport. Photo by Frank Seidel. Lukla street scene. Photo by Jen Klich.

Sunrise highlighting the cap of a nearby mountain peak was a breathtaking view to wake to.  Here we are in beautiful Lukla, resting and preparing for the trek up to Chutanga. We had an exciting flight from Kathmandu yesterday, where we could see the rocky landscape right next to the plane window! Zopkios (yaks) and donkeys, ornately decorated, in disciplined lines carrying goods, are plentiful to view and admire around town, as well as their hard working masters.  Amazing meals and local shrines are among some of the elements to enjoy, amongst the friendly group of climbers for Mera Peak ahead, with part of the group planning to continue on to Baruntse. Dispatch written by Jen Klich. back to top

Inside the plane on the flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. Photo by Peter Downie. Holly budge presenting a cheque to Mount Everest Foundation directors Murari Sharma and Deha Shrestha. Photo Dan Mazur. Girl standing in a doorway in lukla. Photo by Jen Klich. Paul Brophy presenting medicines to Jangbu Sherpa and Murari Sharma of the Mount Everest Foundation. Many Thanks to Mater Misericordiae Hospital Rockhampton and the Archdiocese.

Kathmandu - motorcyclists drive past, while a peddlers rolls a fruit cart covered with a white sheet. 2 women load basket with gravel, one with shovel and other aiding with rope tied to shovel. A monkey clan grooms one another beneath prayer flags at the monkey temple in Kathmandu. Photo by Carla Strong. back to top

14 October -

TODAY’S TWEET FROM EXPEDITION LEADER DAN MAZUR: ALL TEAM MEMBERS AND SHERPAS ARRIVE LUKLA SAFELY. ELEVATION 2808 METRES / 9200 FEET. MIXED SUN & CLOUD: WARM.

• Dan Mazur (Leader), USA/UK
• Jonas  L. , Belgium
• Luiz M. , Brazil
• James K. , Canada
• Alan  M. , USA
• Joel K., Canada
• Ms. Holly  B. , UK
• Paul  B. , Netherlands
• Corne  D. , Netherlands
• Ms. Jennifer K , USA
• Peter  D. , USA
• Richard C. , UK
• Teuvo S. , Canada
• Andrew D. , USA
• Frank S. , Germany