All ready for Mera ascent

Here in Kathmandu all the preparations are complete for our forthcoming ascent of Mera Peak. A charter flight has already taken the food and equipment to Lukla and we are now awaiting the arrival of the team who are expected over the next several days. Weather conditions in the Khumbu have improved slightly and we are hoping that we will have favourable conditions for both the climb and the Paragliding flight from the summit. We are
scheduled to fly the team in on 31st October and to start the walk in to the mountain the same day.
More soon.....

Bad weather in Nepal

Conditions in Nepal are currently very unseasonal - the normal cold clear skies have been replaced by wet stormy weather. This has brought the snow level way down and has made some of the high passes much more difficult than usual. Despite the continuing weather issues we are hoping to start the Mera expedition on time though some re-scheduling may well be needed.

Group Return to Kathmandu

After a successful trek to Chukhung Ri 5550 m, the group have now returned safely to Kathmandu and will continue their journey to Europe in the morning.

Group Arrive Namche Bazaar

The group have now arrived safely in the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar and are now enjoying an aftrenoon of rest and relaxation. We plan to remain here tomorrow for acclimatisation before heading to the monastary at Thyangboche and then on to Dingboche for more acclimatisation before our trip to Kala Pattar. The weather has been quite mixed so far with higher than expected winds and some cloud which has hidden the high peaks from view (A bit Scottish really). We will be unable to further update the blog until we are back here in Namche as there are no computer facilities higher at this time.
More in about a week's time....

Group arrive Kathmandu

Our group from Scotland have all arrived safely in Kathmandu. We will be flying up to Lukla in the early morning of Tuesday to begin our trek to Kala Pattar. One potential problem is that the Maoists have established a checkpoint close to the Sagarmatha national park gate and are "requesting donations" from trekking parties. This has been an issue previously in other areas but is an unwelcome new factor in the Sherpa heartland.
More soon....

All quiet in Kathmandu

Things are quiet in Kathmandu due to the festival of Dosai which has seen many locals at home with family rather than out working in the normally busy streets of the capital. The political unrest which was such a worry earlier in the year is also not an issue at the moment. Talks between the Government and the Maoists are due to resume next month and until then things are unlikely to change. Kathmandu is expecting a large influx of tourists this weekend which will, it is hoped, boost the local economy which has been suffering badly during the last two seasons.
Conditions right now in the mountains are said to be very good with no fresh snow for over two weeks - Looks good for trekking.
More later....

Nepal '06 - Kala Pattar Trek

October '06 brings Adventure Extreme back to the Himalaya's with a group from Scotland. The plan is to trek through the Khumbu following the classic Everest approach, gaining altitude daily. The trek will culminate in an ascent to the famous Kala Pattar 5700m. The viewpoint is probably the best place from which to see Mt Everest as the whole Khumbu Glacier, Western Cwm and summit is perfectly displayed, almost posed, for the camera.
We will be updating this weblog as frequently as possible whilst the trip is actually under way so check back and follow our progress.
More soon....

Himalayan Paragliding - Mera Peak

This season our objective is the spectacular Mera Peak, set in a remote valley system and in the shadow of three of the world's highest mountains, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu. Our plan is to trek into the Hinku Valley from a STOL landing strip at Lukla - this involves crossing a 4000m pass on day 2 followed by a paraglider flight down to Tagnag, a small habitation. From there we plan to climb Mera from a base camp on the Mera La, a three day ascent, and to fly from the summit.
Our exit from the area back to the Khumbu will be, weather permitting, via the high and challenging Amphu Lapsha Pass, a three day climb at altitudes of over 5000m.

You can follow Adventure Extreme's progress online on this weblog.