Hi,
Anyone know anything about Arun Treks and Expeditions company.

I am considering a climb of Baruntse in the fall of next year and they have it on their list. Has anyone climbed with them and if so, what are they like?

Im sorry I dont know Arun but I am climbing Baruntse in March and will be able to tell you what it is like.

Thanks Radson, I would appreciate that.
Are you travelling independently or going with a commercial outfit?

I went with Arun in 2002 on the Makalu-Everest trek. We crossed the Sherpani and West Cols, and spent a night each at what I was told is Baruntse Camp I and Base Camp (in that order).

At the time Arun was owned by Gary Guller. He summited Everest the following year, with one of the Sherpas who was with us, and it now looks like he has sold off the company to his Nepali associates. When I went it was a small group: 4 trekkers plus Gary as leader, and the staff. It was an outstanding trek, one of the more difficult to organize, but Arun handled everything smoothly and efficiently. I can't say if there have been any changes with the new ownership.

We did lose a porter to altitude sickness in the Hongu. He had been with us since the start at Tumlingtar and collapsed when we were at Panch Pokhari. Every effort was made to save him, but the evacuation involved first ascending 600 meters. He succumbed on the descent. It could have been any of us.

I have a couple of photos of Baruntse on SP:
http://www.summitpost.org/view_object.php?object_id=76967
http://www.summitpost.org/view_object.php?object_id=77431

Good luck on your trip.

No worries. I am too much of a wimp to climb independently. My partner and I are going with a new outfit called mountain professionals. We are looking for a third to get a 10% discount which would save us $1000 We had 3 but our danish friend was instead lured by Ama Dablam.

Everest guide Jamie McGuinness reported that "...Dawa from Arun Treks also gave oxygen to David and tried to help him move, repeatedly, for perhaps an hour. But he could not get David to stand alone or even stand resting on his shoulders, and crying, Dawa had to leave him too. Even with two Sherpas it was not going to be possible to get David down the tricky sections below..."[3]


This is from wikipedia, sourced from mteverest.net

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Sharp

Nima Dawa was the Sherpa on our Makalu trek who summited Everest with Gary Guller in 2003. He had also climbed a new route on Everest with a Danish (?) group a few years before. Strongest guy I ever met. If he is still with Arun Treks then that is a good thing.

Thanks guys for the info. Radson, If I were free in March I'd love to join you but unfortunately I can't get away for that long so early in the year.

No worries mate, I shall continue my shameless begging until I find some unfortunate soul to join us.