We trekked to Manaslu Base Camp (Manaslu Circuit) as part of our project to trek to the base camps of all the world’s 14 highest mountains over 8,000m. You can read our blogpost on our Project Base8000 website.
Expeditions
Cho Oyu Base Camp
We trekked to Cho Oyu Advance Base Camp as part of our project to trek to the base camps of all the world’s 14 highest mountains over 8,000m. You can read our blogpost on our Project Base8000 website.
Watch the Video!
Related Posts
- You can read more about our whole Tibetan journey here.
- Read how to get to Tibet
Nepal: Makalu Base Camp
We trekked to Makalu Advance Base Camp as part of our project to trek to the base camps of all the world’s 14 highest mountains over 8,000m. You can read our blogpost on our Project Base8000 website.
Watch the Video!
Related Posts
Pyrenees: Winter Expedition Skills Course
In this post:
Introduction
Undertaking a winter expedition skills course in the Pyrenees can throw up the odd surprise. This one proved no exception.
From climbing, snowshoeing, abseiling, glacier travel, crevasse rescue, avalanche assessment and response, self arrest, knots, rope work, mountain hut life and jumaring to digging a snow hole. Except for a summit of the highest mountain in the Spanish Pyrenees, Pico Aneto, we did it.
The weather forecast was looking reasonable. With our expert guides, we all set off for what was to prove an experience of our life. Anticipating around 3 hours to snow shoe up to the Refugio Renclusa (2,140m) from where we left our van, we took seven hours.
Finishing in the darkness, we fell into our hut somewhat weather beaten, but with spirits intact. Along with freezing conditions, snow blowing from every conceivable angle you could imagine and a few ‘motivating’ words to the group – this all set the tone for the rest of the trip.
Expedition Life
Mimicking expedition life, each of us carried around 15-18kg. This included all of our equipment and food required for the next five days on the mountain. It made for heavy going at times in breaking ground through the deep snow pack. Taking in turns to cook the meals in teams – well let’s just say the porridge was often of a standard found on most expeditions. That’s all I’m going to say about the cooking!
I don’t know about you, but being confined to a hut for a couple of days can drive people crazy. Especially very active ones. So, when our very experienced guides suggested we head outside in a blizzard in minus 23deg C temperatures for a short roped up walk, well, we all followed but with some trepidation. After all, we had all signed up for a winter expedition skills course – so bring it on.
Over the next few days we practiced building snow anchors for varied terrain conditions, self arresting with an ice axe, digging a snow cave, climbing and abseiling skills and learning how to spot an avalanche risk area. As if to prove a point, there were avalanches setting off all around us. This was not surprising given the fact that overnight we had something like 2-3m of snow and lots of wind.
Pico Aneto
Teaching us the basics of expedition life and the skills gained, we had then planned to climb up to the summit of Pico Aneto. Pico Aneto is the highest mountain in the Pyrenees and Aragon, and Spain’s third-highest mountain, reaching a height of 3,404m.
Well, that was the plan until mother nature intervened again. With conditions never experienced before in these parts even by local standards, the forecast at the summit was 120 km/h winds and minus 42deg C. Wise heads prevailed and we decided along with our guides to exit stage right and head back down to the relatively safety of where we had left our van. Relative being the operative word as first of all we had to locate the van, then dig it out from the snow drift that it was buried under.
Now, we didn’t know it at the time, but the people in charge of the Refugio had been out filming this crazy international crew of ours. The footage even made it onto the Spanish TV news much to the delight of the local Spanish police that we bumped into, who knew more about us then we of them.
We capped off a great week by honing up on our rock climbing skills and crevasse rescue techniques on some local crags near Luchon, France. We may have gone away not knowing each other, but we all came back as friends and learnt a lot about our capabilities and working as a team.
Onwards and upwards!
Trevor
Insights
- There are numerous companies or guides offering winter skills expedition courses. In the Pyrenees, we recommend 360 Expeditions based in Luchon, France
- Guides – listen and adhere to your guide’s instructions, they are the experts and know more than you for a reason.
- Always check the mountain weather forecast before heading out e.g. Mountain Forecast – Pico Aneto.
- Go on a winter skills course with an open mind and willingness to learn. You’ll gain more confidence in the mountains for your next trekking or mountaineering expedition.
A climbers approach to climbing Mt Everest
Introduction
Having been on numerous expeditions to Everest Base Camp (EBC) during the spring climbing season of April/May, I have had the pleasure to meet climbers of various nationalities that have summited or are attempting to climb Mt Everest.
Mt Everest is known as Sagarmatha (Nepal) and Chomolungma (Tibet, China). It stands at 8,8848m and is the highest mountain in the world.
The striking observation from talking with these climbers is their mental toughness. Willing to push their bodies beyond the average physical human endurance to achieve their goals is an achievement in itself.
Training in an altitude gym in Sydney and running up and down sand dunes, I am inspired by the amount of training a climber puts in. One of these, Scott Elleman, is planning to climb Mt Everest this spring.
Interview
The following is an interview I conducted with Scott prior to departing for Nepal.
Trevor: As an introduction, tell us a little about yourself.
Scott: My name is Scott Elleman and I’m 56, so yes, a baby boomer. Born in Bondi to 10 pound Pom parents, I grew up in England joining the Royal Navy at age 17 and then the Royal Australian Navy following my return to Australia 17 years ago. When not training or thinking or planning the next adventure, I’m working with our Navy helicopter fleet.
Trevor: How did you get into climbing?
Scott: It just happened. One thing led to another and next thing you know you’re hanging somewhere precarious wondering why you couldn’t be like the next door neighbour whose weekly outdoor adventure meant a few rounds of golf and a trip to Aldi. But that’s not me. I guess I started the usual way with hiking and camping and learned to climb in places like Bethesda in Wales and Aviemore in Scotland.
Trevor: What other climbing have you done previously?
Scott: Ha! Lately, just the sand dunes at Cronulla. Seriously though, it’s a great workout for aspiring climbers. Three years ago, I took my boys to Everest Base Camp (EBC) and returned to Nepal one year later to climb Lobuche and up to Camp 2 on Mt Everest. Last year, we had a month in Bolivia climbing Pico Austria, Paqueno Alpamayo, Huayna Potosi and Illamani high camp. Let’s also not forget New Zealand’s beautiful Tasman Glacier and the Remarkables in the South Island. All great preparation for the big one!
Trevor: Why climb Mt Everest?
Scott: I remember back in 2015 when I trekked with my sons to EBC, it was the majesty of the Khumbu Valley that absolutely blew me away. After I had climbed Kala Patthar and looked across the valley at Nuptse, Lohtse and Sagarmatha (Mt Everest), something clicked inside me and resonated in a way that I can’t easily explain. After returning to Australia, I was reading an article in a magazine about Nepal and it just hit me like a tonne of bricks. I had unfinished business and at that point set myself the challenge of a summit attempt on Mt Everest. But that will only ever happen if I’m good enough AND the mountain and weather gods are willing.
Trevor: What are the key elements of your preparation?
Scott: I’ve read and leant a lot about using your body’s own fat reserves for energy and generating slow ‘twitch’ muscles. Most of my training has been based on developing these physiological techniques. Aside from swimming for an active recovery, there are a number of key components to my training plan: weights, distance, stamina and hill climbing.
I carry a weighted pack every day and up the weights for longer hikes around Berowra and the Blue Mountains with as much up and down as I can find. Climbing Cronulla’s sand dunes with 20kg for 3 hours really hits the spot and specialised altitude gyms are brilliant for really knocking the ball out of the park.
Trevor: What is your favourite go to food at altitude?
Scott: That’s easy – spaghetti and meatballs MRE’s. MRE’s are American Ready to Eat meals and I just love their spaghetti and meatballs.
Trevor: What do you think will be your biggest challenge or challenges in climbing to the summit of Mt Everest?
Scott: Anything and everything is possible, but probably me. I may be my own biggest challenge. Other challenges are staying healthy and averting any frost bite, and assuming that there’s enough spaghetti and meatballs. Also, the mental anguish that comes from being away from your loved ones can be a difficult demon to live with amongst the immense beauty of being in one of the most majestic and powerful places on earth.
Trevor: Which expedition company are you going with and why?
Scott: I chose IMG (International Mountain Guides). Hailing from Seattle, USA, IMG are recognised worldwide as having an exemplary big mountain expedition organisation, excellent client summit percentages and an incredible safety record with accompanied logistics. I have climbed with IMG twice before and find we are a very, very good fit.
Trevor: Where do you see yourself in years to come? Climbing more mountains?
Scott: Definitely more climbing. There is so much to see and do. I’ll keep going until my body gives up. Then spend my remaining years reminiscing on how truly blessed I was to have lived such an amazing life doing what I loved.
Trevor: Finally, if someone wanted to get into mountaineering, what would you suggest their first step to be?
Scott: Start on some small mountains, add some endurance and strength training and get involved. New Zealand has some great introduction to mountaineering courses where you’ll be roped up, on crampons and navigating crevices. And that’s just on day two. There are so many options out there, and there’s bound to be one that’s just right for you. I’ve friends that love the 4,000m mountains. Those that will go to 7,000m but prefer to hike in as is the case for Aconcagua. Those that like the harder technical 3,000m peaks in New Zealand and those that don’t care so long as they’re out there having fun. Whatever climber you end up being, be a good one and accept that no matter how high or far you go, the joy is in the journey.
Onwards and upwards!
Trevor