I just put up a summit video of Cho Oyu from October 2006.

On YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp43kxX6gFw


Hope it inspires someone to get out and do it!

Snowflake

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Yeah this was the first time I ever paid anyone to go climb. I had always done it by myself or with friends, organizing food, fuel, medical kit, etc. But the Himalaya seemed like a bigger step logistically that I didn't think I'd get it together by myself to summit in the rather small window of opportunity.

Prices of many outfitters are public information (on the website) so it's not really a personal question. I went with IMG, primarily because of the reputation for camp cleanliness and good base camp food - I lost 10 pounds on Denali and so I wanted to make sure I'd eat on this trip.

I had been over 20K three times before just climbing with friends - in the Karakorum, in the Andes, and on Denali - so I felt pretty confident about my being able to summit (excepting weather or stomach ailments). IMG charged 12K in 2006, plus airfare to Lhasa. I pretty much had all the necessary equipment leftover from Denali, except for the down suit. Turns out I didn't need it (but wore it anyway) as my body burns warm - I kept opening the tentflaps at 24K which didn't go well with my tent mate.

It is certainly doable to be less supported, as far as outfitters go. But as I am nearing 50 I wanted to stack the odds in my favor. The extra cost was justifiable in that my lost salary was way over the expedition cost - so I only wanted to do this once.

I'm jealous but congratulations. I see Mike Hamil and Paneru at the top with you.

I cant wait until I get there. Thanks. Ryan

radson wrote:I'm jealous but congratulations. I see Mike Hamil and Paneru at the top with you.

Yeah they we both good to have around. In about a week I'll put up a video of all the Sherpas introducing themselves, because they are they real stars. You can see Phunuru in the film "The Endless Knot" because the Alex Lowe Climbing School is held in his village.

More videos.
If you go to the video linked in the first post of this topic, and click on "More from pdsnowflake", you will find three other videos:

1. Cho Oyu ABC puja. A mandatory pre-climb experience to appease the Turqoise Goddess. It must have worked.

2. Cruising to Cho Oyu Camp 3. A very quick overview of the route to camp 3.

3. Leaving Cho Oyu. THis is the last clip of a 30 minute video I am making to show to civic groups (schools, scouts, etc) and thanks all involved with the climb, primarily the sherpas. Don't take it as an ad for the outfitter, although I was happy with them.

All videos have music in the background, performed by an East Coast folk-rock duo called the Kennedys. I listened to them while on the mountain and their Buddhism-influenced lyrics seemed real fitting to the scenery.

I have another video that has all the Sherpas introducing themselves and talking about their experiences, and I will post it once I get their permission in March or April.

These are not "extreme" climbing videos, but just a way to share what a fun experience moderate Himalayan climbing is.

Namaste,
snowflake

Great videos snowflake. I'm sitting on an oil rig and back in Tibet in 3 weeks but watching your videos makes me soooo restless to get back amongst the Himalayas.