FTA Ama Dab;am October 2008 - In Ama Dablam BC

The final section of rope from camp 3 to the summit
is being fixed in the next couple days and we are
heading up to c1 tomorrow. we have rested at bc and
Pangboche and are acclimatised and ready. We will be
among the first summits this season and feeling strong.

Today we have practised rope techniques and sorted gear
at bc. We already have tents at c1 and c2. Food is great
and we are getting special attention from ratna the cook.
sean
Ama Dablam BC, 30 October

Island Peak Summits!

Sean, Tsering, Mama, Wei, Antonin, Paul & Chris summited Island Peak Oct 26 in perfect weather.

After an evening at 5650m high camp Josh became ill and decided to stay back (He is feeling fine now). The rest of the team left at 3 and were on top between 6 and 8am. The team is back in base camp and despite being totally nackered, everyone is feeling fine. The team is now en route to Ama Dablam Base camp.

Word from Ama Dablam has been promising but we wont really know for sure until the team gets onto the route.


FTA from Island Peak base camp

Island Peak Summits!

Sean,Tsering, Mama, Wei, Antonin, Paul & Chris summited Island Peak this morning in perfect weather.

After an evening at 5650m high camp Josh became ill and decided to stay back (he is much better now). The rest of the team left at 3am and were on top between 6am and 8am. Everyone is back at base camp feeling fine and ready to move to Ama Dablam base camp on the 29th.

Is it just Ama now?

As the team approached Island Peak, we noticed something different about Ama Dablam; the hanging glacier known as the Dablam has lost at least 2/3 of its total mass. The Dablam has been slowly peeling off over the past years but this is different, it's a major change to the character of the mountain Not that I'm one to revel in base camp gossip, but according to retreating teams, the route still isn't open above what's left of camp 3. We shall see and keep you all posted.

On another note, the FTA team has reached Island Peak base camp and after sorting gear, doing a skills check and packing, we will move to high camp and if the wonderful weather holds, we will go for the summit on October 26.

Stay tuned...

Chris from Island Peak BC 5126M

Ama Dablam & Island Peak Expedition reached Namche Bazar

The team reached Namche Bazar last night and everyone is feeling great. We plan to stay here for 2 full days to aid in our acclimitization schedule. Today, we will climb up for some excellent views of Everest, Lhotse and of course the matterhorn of the Himalayas, Ama Dablam.

Josh, Wei, Antonin, Paul, Me (Chris) and Sean are feeling the excellent energy and this amazing place. Everyone is getting very excited.

We are headed up to climb Island Peak 6186M straigh away then Paul will go for a big trek up to everest base Camp. The rest of the team will go directly to Ama Dablam 6856M base camp and commence the main objective of the expedition. The south west ridge of Ama Dablam. The route is quite difficult but with the help of fixed ropes and Sherpa power, the objective becomes much more managable and a truely enjoyable experience.

Climb on!

Chris from Namche Bazar 3200M