Besogonova Mariya

The group of the 7 Summits Club made an ascent on the top of Mont Blanc along the classic route through the Gouter Refuge. We sincerely congratulate Marina and Mikhail on their successful ascent! We wish them new successes, interesting trips and beautiful summits!

Natalia Smirnova: On January 30, we climbed the highest peak of the Philippine Islands - Mount Apo 3140 m. There are a total of 7 climbing routes on Mount Apo. We climbed the Kapatagan trail, which begins in a village with the romantic name Paradise sitio. The beginning and end of trekking to the assault camp pass through the vast lands of local farmers - giant fields with potatoes and cabbage. The main part of the approach to the camp is a winding, rocky path in humid tropical thickets with palm trees, giant ferns, huge trees overgrown with moss and rivers.

The camp from where the ascent starts, which is called Gudi-gudi camp, is located at an altitude of about 2500 m in the jungle.

About 5 a.m. we left the camp to the summit. Unfortunately, due to the fog, we were again unable to admire the famous Philippine mountain sunrises. But that didn't make our ascent any less interesting.

We crossed at dusk a section that locals call Boulders - huge stone boulders. Mount Apo is a dormant volcano, as everyone can see. On the sidelines on the western side, we observed active sulfur fumaroles, the rumble of which can be heard even in the camp.

There is a small lake in the crater of the volcano. There are three peaks in total - Mother peak, Kidapawan and Digos. We have consistently bypassed all three and safely descended to the camp. And since instead of the 8-10 hours of ascent and descent planned by the guides, we managed in 5 hours, on the same day we went down to Paradise sitio and left for the city. Now we are relaxing on the beach, enjoying the ocean.

We sincerely congratulate Alexander Savelyev on his great victory - climbing the legendary Khan Tengri. The team of the 7 Summits Club wishes Alexander new victories and beautiful Summits!

This year, the Central Tien Shan was extremely demanding of climbers, no one managed to climb Pobeda Peak at all. The ascents of Khan Tengri were difficult, they became a serious test for the climbers. The more valuable is the victory!

Georgy Kuzmin, a regular participant in the programs of the 7 Summits Club, found himself in Nepal again after a long break. This time he chose the program of climbing Mera Peak. And he shares with us his travel notes and photos.

Finally again, the long-awaited Kathmandu. After an 8-year break, almost nothing has changed. From the first moment, a sincere, joyful meeting warms the soul, creating an incomparable mood, a flower garland that lies not on top of clothes, but right in the heart.  I was pleasantly surprised by the new A-Loft hotel, in some ways more interesting than Yak & Yaty. Especially the pool on the top floor, visually breaking off from the 16th floor somewhere into the abyss. Otherwise, the same noisy, hurrying Kathmandu, with a unique highlight of the presence of the scheming Hanuman.

Eight minutes before landing, Lukla was closed and we crash into the Paplu airfield against the rocks. Does anyone like crazy roller coasters? You are welcome! It was a wild cry, mixed with hysterical laughter, either from fear, or from delight.

Pilots are a miracle! How they do it is incomprehensible to the mind. We fall, very gently, on a short piece of asphalt, and the engines freeze with relief! Hurray! Lukla, a pleasant surprise in all respects, however, quite understandable. A clean, very cultured town. The whole atmosphere creates an upbeat mood. Finally, having traditionally turned the drums, and having asked for blessings, we embark on the first part of trek.

The second day...  On the pass there is an unexpectedly pleasant little stone palace with a young Nepalese princess, who is glad to "passers-by" . She greets with a kind, slightly embarrassed smile and hot tea. Cool after the wind. But immediately the descent from 4507 to 4200. Just half an hour and we are in the caring hands of the lodge . Without exaggeration, unexpectedly cool placement.

Mountains are always work, of course. (I don't mean professional guides. Everything is clear there). Often merciless, heavy. Lightness and lightness are impossible here. From the sofa and the office chair to come here is madness and a burden for those nearby. Even a good physical education is not a fact of success. You go to each mountain individually and physically, and psychologically and emotionally. Overcoming yourself, your weaknesses, sometimes purely on the outside.

I return to the frequently asked question: why do I go to the mountains?  I'm trying not to fuss: I watch the mountains grow up. Truly, there is no fuss.

The 7 Summits Club heartily congratulates Ilya, Mikhail and Sergey on the ascent of Huayna Potosi - the most beautiful six-thousandth mountain of Bolivia!  Yesterday, on 5th of October, Mikhail and Ilya successfully reached the top! Sergey, despite feeling unwell, reached the assault camp located at an altitude of 5250 m. Keep it up, guys! We wish you new heights and good luck!

During this turbulent time in Nepal, we received wonderful news from our climbers. Yesterday, Orhan Kazimov and Gennady Melnikov, under the guidance of Nepalese guide Pemba Sherpa, successfully climbed Mera Peak (6483m). They returned to the lodge this morning and plan to fly by helicopter to Kathmandu tomorrow.  We are very happy for the guys and congratulate them on their victory, especially since the ascent this year is not easy - a lot of snow and crevasses!

We pray for good weather in Nepal tomorrow morning and a window for helicopters!  For many, this is very important.

Participants of the individual program of ascent on Mera Peak" of the 7 Summits Club  Orkhan Kazimov and Gennady Melnikov came to the foot of the mountain. Today they reached the village of Khare (4,950 m), the last settlement in the valley. Tomorrow, according to the plan, there will be a day of acclimatization and preparation, then an exit to the assault camp, and the actual ascent.

A group of climbers on Lobuche of the 7 Summits Club arrived in Lukla yesterday and began their program with a walk to the village of Monjo. Today they are already in Namche Bazaar, where they will acclimatize for 2 days. Namche met the guys with a little rain, but now everyone is in the lodge, where it is dry and almost warm.

The second new group of the 7 Summits Club arrived in Lukla today. In the plans: trekking to the base camp of Mount Everest, followed by an ascent on Island Peak. Today, the team started moving along the route. Today, according to the plan, we will spend the night in Monjo, tomorrow they walk to Namche Bazaar.

News from Kazbek: Yesterday, September 10, a group of the 7 Summits Club climbed on the top of Mount Kazbek (5033 m). Ekaterina and Nadezhda reached the highest point, congratulations on their well-deserved and difficult victory! Julia heroically went to the assault, but she had to return because of health problems. The whole group went down to the intermediate camp at 3500 yesterday, today they continue their descent and plan to spend the night at the base camp at Karmadon springs.

Members of the 7 Summits Club group Alexander and Lilia successfully climbed the summit of Mount Kazbek yesterday.  The 7 Summits Club congratulates climbers with success, well done! The group is coming down now.

Our nearest groups on Kazbek will start on August 17th and September 5^th.

Great news from Kazbek! All members of the 7 Summits Club group reached the top of Mount Kazbek! The condition of the climbers is good, today they plan to descend to the intermediate camp at an altitude of 3500 m. Tomorrow - to Vladikavkaz and home.

A group of climbers of the 7 Summits Club on Kazbek (via North) successfully continues the program. Today, our members went from the base camp to the camp 2, located at an altitude of 3500m. Tomorrow, the plan is to go to the assault camp.