Finally, a breakthrough day. Our excellent Sherpa climbing team ran up to the midpoint of the icefall where we'd cached gear yesterday. They put all of that on their backs and busted on up to establish Camp 1 at approximately 19,800 ft. Two of the guys, Rinjin and Sonam then cruised on up to Camp 2 (Advanced Base Camp), claiming our campsite -which will be crucial with the mountain as busy as we expect it to be- and retrieving our ABC gear from last year ("abandoned" when the season came to an unexpected end last year). Meanwhile- Chhering, JJ Justman and I guided the climbing team on our much anticipated "dress rehearsal" for the Icefall. We were up at 3:30 AM, eating at 4 AM and walking by 4:30 AM. The intention was to travel smoothly and efficiently to the midpoint of the Icefall and return to base... as a check that the entire team would be ready for the committing step of moving to Camp 1. We did just that on another perfect weather morning. It was encouraging for all of us, and a little awe inspiring when three of the Icefall Doctors caught up and passed us as if we were standing still -all while carrying heavy and cumbersome sections of ladder to put in place at yesterday's trouble spot near the top of the Icefall. About two hours into our climb, we hit our own first real ladders and aced a half dozen awkward crossings. We took a break at the midpoint, still in deep and cool shadows and then got set for the equally challenging descent to Base. The team cruised through this test, showing the advantages of two weeks of training and acclimatizing. We were back down to the luxuries of Base Camp by 9:30 AM, feeling like we'd already put in a full day of hard work. The remainder of the day was spent resting, talking with climbers and guides from neighboring trips, and enjoying a few hours more of T-Shirt weather before we bundled up again for the late afternoon clouds. Best Regards, RMI Guide Dave Hahn

On The Map

Another early morning, another attempt to get through the Khumbu Icefall. Thwarted. We were still hoping to accomplish a recon/carry and so I headed out with our Sherpa climbing team at 4:30 AM. As we started, the Sherpa teams ahead of us formed a solid parade of headlights, snaking up through the glacier in the darkness. We made fine progress though, easily passing our highpoint from the other day. That last time the weather was poor, and this time it was perfect, so we could see everything we needed and wanted to see about the climbing route. Our luck ran out near the top of the technical difficulties when we skidded to a stop at 7 AM at the tail end of a monumental traffic jam. We spent 90 minutes inching upward, stomping our feet to stay warm (we were still in deep and cool shadows), and alternately eyeballing the ice towers hanging over our heads and the nearby site of last year's tragic avalanche. Finally, with perhaps a hundred Sherpas at full stop between ourselves and a fairly difficult wall climb, we determined that we'd pushed our luck far enough. We descended, cached the load at the icefall's midpoint and got ourselves out of the line of fire and on our way back to Basecamp. Sherpas and climbers did eventually make camp one and even camp two on this day, but the missions took perhaps three times as long as they should have, with much of that time spent at risk... Not for us. We reached sunny and safe Base Camp shortly after JJ Justman had departed with our team for a Pumori Camp One hike. The route needs more work and we conveyed this idea as best we were able to the Icefall Doctors and their administrators. In general terms, it takes a safer path than the routes of recent years, but more work needs to be done and more ladders need to be fixed in order to handle the Sherpa traffic, let alone the less skilled foreign climbers who will soon hit the climb in great numbers. Best Regards, RMI Guide Dave Hahn

We are back safe and sound in Kathmandu. Everyone is enjoying the comforts here at the Yak & Yeti Hotel, a long hot shower, good food, and the warm temperatures. It's been one amazing adventure with a great team and it will be sad to say goodbye, but we are all looking forward to getting back home to our loved ones. Thanks for following. RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

Hello again It was a nice warm day here on our final hike to Lukla. We started early to beat the traffic and made good time, yet taking time to enjoy this peaceful and majestic place. There were still dozens of loads headed for Base Camp as always, because much of the needed supplies arrive via plane or from a few days away by mules. We even saw someone carrying a kitchen sink! Which I'm sure is for one of the new tea houses being built that line the trail to Base Camp. With a little luck we hope to be back in Kathmandu tomorrow morning. Keep your fingers crossed for us. RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

On The Map

Hello again everyone. All is still well here in the Khumbu as the remaining team members made our way back into Namche. It was a super busy day on the trail with climbers, Trekkers, yaks, and porters all bound uphill to Everest Base Camp. We slowly made our way through the trail traffic and enjoyed one last good view of Everest. Along the way we ran into several old friends from my past trips and stopped to wish everyone good luck and finished the day off with a nice reunion with one of RMI's finest Billy Nugent. Godspeed my friend! Tomorrow we'll be moving out early on our final leg of the journey back to Lukla. So please keep you fingers crossed we have good weather and can make our flight back to Kathmandu the following morning. RMI Casey Grom and crew

On The Map

Hey everybody. This is Casey Grom checking in from the Everest Base Camp Trek and Island Peak Climb. Wanted to let you know we are all down, safe and sound. Two of us were able to reach the summit yesterday. Tried to give a call last night, but could not get reception in this little valley that we are in. As well as there is still no cell service or wifi up here. Apparently they have been having technical difficulties down valley. But everyone's doing great after our climb, which was a cold one, we descended back down to Chukung and spent the night in a tea house and everyone is feeling fantastic this morning. Beautiful day again here in the Khumbu. Our plan is to hike down to Pangboche today. All of the trekkers should be catching their flights today from Kathmandu and headed home. We certainly miss those guys and I'm sure you guys back home do too. They should be there very soon. The team is great here and looking forward to getting down to some thicker air and before too long, Kathmandu. So that's all for now. We'll check in again hopefully with some pictures when we get into some service or wifi. Thanks you guys. Good bye. RMI Guide Casey Grom

On The Map

Hey Everybody, This is Casey Grom checking in from the Everest Base Camp Trek and Island Peak Climb. Just wanted let you know that everything's going great here in the Kumbu. After having an incredible day at Base Camp, the team descended yesterday through a little bit of snow all the way down to Pheriche. It's about 12 miles and it took our group a little over 7 hours, so quite a long day on our feet, but everyone did great! Everyone certainly enjoyed the drop in altitude and the thicker air. It was only 14,000 feet, but everyone could feel the difference. Everyone is doing great and last night we ran into two of RMI's finest Jeff "JJ" Justman and of course Dave Hahn who are leading our Mt. Everest climb this season. It was great to see those guys and touch base and wish luck to those guys and the climbing crew that is with them. After getting a good night's rest, the team got out this morning and had relatively early breakfast. The trekking group headed back to Namche. The Island Peak team and myself headed up the adjacent valley and are relaxing here at Chukung. It was bit of a sad day saying goodbye to our friends that we spent so many great days with, but I am sure those guys are doing great now down in Namche enjoying the warm air, cell service and WiFi. Unfortunately for us, we won't have cell service or WiFI here in Chukung as there has been some issue with the receivers. Anyways, we're headed up the valley a little further and expect to be at Island Peak Base Camp tomorrow. We'll try to check in via satellite phone we can get reception up there. Thanks a lot. We'll talk soon. RMI Guide Casey Grom

Casey Grom and team checked in from Everest Base Camp. They arrived there yesterday under stormy skies and cloudy conditions. Today, the sun was shining and the team spent some time hiking around Base Camp and posing for photos in down suits. Everyone got to experience life at 17,575' complete with a shower at Base Camp. Tomorrow the team will start their descent heading back down the Khumbu Valley. RMI Guide Casey Grom

Namaste Everyone All is well here on the trek! Yesterday we left Pheriche and hiked further up valley to Lobuche, we slowly made our way along the winding path that we share with other trekkers, porters heavily laden with loads bound for Base Camp, and yaks who aren't as keen to share the trail. We made good time and enjoyed the astounding views before reaching our lodge for the night. In the afternoon we took a short walk to a overlook of the Khumbu glacier where we could just make out base camp far in the distance. Today we hit the trail around 8:30 and reached our last and final camp, called Gorak Shep, before we head into Base Camp tomorrow. After arriving we had a light lunch and the headed up to Kala Patar which is the high point on this trek at 18,300'. At the top of Kala Patar we could easily see Everest Base Camp and had amazing views of Everest as the weather was relatively nice. Everyone is currently relaxing in our tea house enjoying the warmth of the fire. There's been lots of cribbage and plenty of good conversation with our team and other trekkers on the same journey as us. Looking forward to Base camp. RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

On The Map

It's snowing up here! Today was a rest day here in Pheriche, and we went on a short acclimatization hike to 15,500' to take in the views. We set a new altitude record for some and even managed to see Island Peak down the neighboring valley. The weather started clear once again but quickly turned to clouds and even began snowing a little bit right after we made it back and had lunch. At 3 pm the Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA), which is a very small and seasonal hospital had a talk on Acclimatizing which we sat in on. We wrapped up the evening with another wonderful meal here at the Himalayan Lodge in Pheriche and a few more games of Cribbage. All is well and everyone is feeling well and in good spirits. RMI Guide CaseyGrom and crew

On The Map