Why Climb Island Peak with Alpine Ascents?
Key Elements of Climbing Island Peak with Alpine Ascents
- Experience. While some outfitters take climber with no experience up the glaciated Island Peak, we expect climbers to have prior crampon and self arrest experience. In turn we treat this as a serious mountain climb giving respect to the climb as well as a goal of summiting. Alpine Ascents guides are revered as outstanding mountaineers, instructors and cultural enthusiasts. Climbing and trekking high peaks in the Himalayas fully encompass the expertise of our staff. Their passion and knowledge of Nepal is contagious, and will certainly add to the already profound richness of this expedition. We are confident that our expertise in this region is unsurpassed. We have been guiding in Nepal during the past two decades and have consistently run expeditions from year to year. The familiarity with the region, combined with our expertise and knowledge around the world, lend a depth and richness to every expedition that we feel is unrivaled in the guiding community.
- Guides. Part of Alpine Ascents International's success is based on our small and select group of highly experienced guides. Alpine Ascents is very fortunate to have close friends and an expert staff in Nepal. Note: guides are subject to change. Your guides will be Himalayan veterans. This is what separates this expedition from others, you will have the opportunity to climb with some of the foremost climbers from the US and Nepal. Previous lead Island Peak guides include Todd Burleson, Lakpa Rita Sherpa, and Ben Jones. In the event we have a very small team we may employ some of our Everest Sherpa gudies to lead the trip.
- Sherpa Staff. In addition to our western guides (see above notes), the trek will be supported by a team of Sherpa. We have been working with the same team for over 15 years, and our deep-rooted friendship with each member makes for a wonderful exchange of ideas, laughter and assistance. Porters and yaks will move the majority of our gear (for the Island and Kala Pattar portion) and personal packs up the mountain, enabling trekkers time to fully appreciate the surrounding environment.
- Lodging& The Khumbu. We lodge in Sherpa villages, many of them remote, giving us a rare look into both traditional and monastic communities. Our lodging along the way is usually in tea houses. We access these villages through our long time Sherpa friends with the belief that a sharing of cultures is paramount in our understanding of the world. While the environs are often primitive by western standards, they are balanced by the warmth and tremendous support of the Sherpa people. Our nights before the climb will be in a fully stocked camp tent at Island Peak Base Camp.
- Two Seasons Offered. Our Spring trip often has you traveling with our Everest climbing team en route to Everest Base Camp(17,300’), affording a unique opportunity to experience the excitement of an Everest expedition. Our fall trip can offer a less crowded time in the Khumbu,and is considered by many the prime trekking season.
- Cybercasts. All our treks will have a cybercast (blog) page on the Alpine Ascents websites, with either audio or text updates every few days often with photos. Family, friends, and thousands from the general public can follow the team on their trek from Kathmandu to Base Camp and back.
- Logistics. As part of the expedition we have selected the climb of Island Peak because of its sheer beauty and location in this Buddhist influenced region. We believe that the climber should be lost in the world of mountains and travel unfettered by the rigors of food preparation, lodging and logistics. Alpine Ascents offers the most comprehensive program available, utilizing a distinguished staff of Sherpa, huge 4 season tents and a diverse assortment of quality meals. (Some of the food is flown in from the US. Although the local food is a part of our diet, we find a wide variety of food helps keep climbers and trekkers, healthy and strong). Our nights before the climb will be in a fully stocked camp tent at Island Peak Base Camp.