All news: January 2024

Olga Rumyantseva, a guide of the 7 Summits Club, reports from Tanzania:

Greetings from Tanzania from the band Big Change! Today we made an almost heroic crossing of the Barranco Wall. The usually exciting climb was complicated by the fact that it had been raining since six in the morning. We waited for a while, hoping that it would stop. But the rain didn't stop. Therefore, we decided to climb the wall in the rain. Climbing rocks with streams of water flowing over them is not easy. But we did it.

After a small tea party, spiced with rain at the top of the Barranco wall, we continued on our way to the Karanga camp. Still in the rain. Only sometimes, through small gaps, it was possible to notice what beauty was around.

The sun came out in the camp for a while, so we managed to dry things. And after that, a rainstorm with snow fell on the camp and almost washed away the camp.

However, this cataclysm was also survived.

Now we are resting and preparing for the ascent to the summit, which will begin tomorrow evening. While there is an opportunity and good conditions, we check all things, select clothes. Well, we are mentally preparing, of course.

Olga Rumyantseva, the guide of the 7 Summits Club, reports from Tanzania:
Greetings from Tanzania from the Big Change group! The third day of walking on Kilimanjaro was marked by crossing the Lava Tower. In the first half of the day, we climbed to the Lava Tower at an altitude of 4,630 meters, simultaneously admiring the incredible clouds that decorated our path.
Lunch was waiting for us at the Lava Tower. As soon as we entered the dining tent, it began to snow, sometimes turning into a small hail. So we had to make part of the way down in the snow and rain. And then to the most beautiful area - with beautiful senecia trees, waterfalls, and the snow-covered wall of Kilimanjaro. The snow ended very successfully at that time, and nothing prevented us from admiring the beauty.

The guide of the 7 Summits Club Andrey Berezin reports from Argentina:
Buenos Dias from the slopes of Aconcagua! The Gatito Luis group, after several days of waiting for the weather window, climbed to the top of Aconcagua! The weather was perfect, there was practically no breeze. Now we are about to go to the beautiful city of Mendoza. The guides of the group are Andrey Berezin, Sergey Avtomonov and Valery Myasoedov.

Anastasia Besogonova, manager of the 7 Summits Club, reports from Chile:
The Pacific coast is cool at night and in the morning, hot in the afternoon. Everything happens slowly and steadily. The first group of Ojos flies home, the next group is slowly coming to Baja Ingles.
For those who arrived a day earlier, intercontinental flights, a kaleidoscope of airports, worries about luggage are all over. You can wander along the shore of the bay, admire the beaches, try the freshest seafood in local restaurants. There are advantages to being slow, too.
Most of the group is arriving today, and a completely different story will begin.

Dmitry Semenov, the guide of the 7 Summits Club, reports from Argentina:

Greetings from our new super-team "cHronic climbers" from Argentina! Today, after our first overnight stay near the Inca Bridge natural monument, we headed to Aconcagua National Park. We marked our permits and headed to our first Confluencia camp (3400 m.) The journey took three hours, and here we are in this hospitable camp. Now we are resting and preparing for tomorrow's acclimatization rotation. The guides of the group are Alexander Dorojukov and Dmitry Semenov.

Olga Rumyantseva, a guide of the 7 Summits Club, reports from Tanzania:

Greetings from Tanzania from the team "Big Change"! The second day of our trip to Kilimanjaro is coming to an end. A day that brought a variety of changes.

The constant change of landscapes. The forest was replaced by shrubs, beautifully decorated with selfie moss. A variety of flowers appeared, growing directly on the stones. After we came out of the forest into the open spaces, wonderful views opened up around us, forcing us to constantly stop to admire them. The rains promised by the forecast did not happen today.

Or rather, we had no time to leave the camp when it began to rain. We waited it out. And we passed the main part of the way without rain. And the sun appeared closer to the camp. Today we climbed to the Shira camp at an altitude of 3,850 meters. After lunch, we walked around the neighborhood. We looked at a large cave, obsidian placers and all sorts of beautiful views.

And after we returned to the camp, we had a ceremony to meet the team. And in the evening we had a very beautiful sunset and delicious borscht.

Olga Rumyantseva, a guide of the 7 Summits Club, reports from Tanzania:

Hello everyone from Tanzania! Today, the third group of the new season set off along the Machame route towards the summit of Kilimanjaro. After much thought, they decided to name the band "Big Change". Our group is quite small, but very optimistic and combative. And in a different way, in the difficult weather conditions that have now hit Kilimanjaro, it is impossible.

One of the additional difficulties that happened to the team was the luggage that did not arrive in Africa. We hope that the participants will be able to meet with it tomorrow.

Today we went through a very beautiful jungle and climbed to the Millennium Camp at an altitude of 3,000 meters. We got caught in the rain a little and mixed mud, but everyone is in a great mood.

Alexander Dorojukov, a guide of the 7 Summits Club, reports from Argentina:

Buenos dias, amigos! A new group of the 7 Summits Club on Aconcagua has started, the name was coined - "cHronic climbers". In sunny Mendoza, we checked the equipment, exchanged a lot of money, received permits and then started to the entrance to the national park. Wish us success! Guides Dmitry Semenov and Alexander Dorojukov.

Alexander Abramov, President of the 7 Summits Club, reports from the USA:

Wow, that was a birthday! 60 years, anniversary. You won't believe who you tell. It doesn't happen that way. The day started very optimistically. The sun was shining and minus 25.

The plan was to visit first the American base in Minot. Then drive to Canada and celebrate my birthday there. We even ordered a cake and a restaurant.

Our caravan was stopped at the border with Canada. At 8 hours from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., we were checked, interrogated, all cars were carefully checked and the contents of all computers and phones were checked. Since we were already late for the restaurant, we celebrated my DR right at the border control with a performance of the Happy Birthday.

 The interrogation was going on for 8 hours. We each answered 100 questions. The funniest one was: what are my connections with the Russian Geographical Society?

And as a final point and an anniversary gift, I was given a document stating that my visa was suspended on January 12, which I should have been informed about. But they did not inform and did not name the reasons. But I can't enter Canada.

 I mean, I can't go to the North Pole. The showdown lasted several hours. Saying goodbye to the team, we hugged. As a result, Kostya Vasenko took me to the town of Minot, 150 km from the border. There is an airport there. And now it's 3 a.m. It's all so sudden.

Now I'm lying on the bed and slowly blinking away the gifts of fate for 60 years. What's it? Leap year or a gift of fate? We'll wait and see.

I'm looking at tickets to Iguassu Falls right now. Departure is in 4 hours. And what, you need to cheer up somehow.... Go ahead! The adventure continues!!!

Nikita Slotin, a guide of the 7 Summits Club, reports from Chile:

Greetings from Chile from the group "Machines"! On January 15, at 1 a.m., the group moved out of the camp on Laguna Verde by car. At 3 a.m., the movement started from the shelter of the Tejos. The starry sky, and then the first rays of the sun, illuminated our path. The weather favored us, the sun was shining, a light breeze was blowing. There were a lot of climbers that day. I have not seen such traffic jams to the summit tower yet. In two ropes teams, at 13 and 15 o'clock, our full team stood at the top of Ojos del Salado. 360-degree views opened up to the eye, it's beautiful! The mountain was very difficult for the participants! Safely and also in full force, the group went down to the cars and safely reached the camp. We're going down to the ocean today.

Which is more suitable: 3 by 20 or 2 by 30? The man seems to be in the prime of his physical and intellectual powers. That means two by thirty. On the other hand, there is youthful enthusiasm, lightness and indefatigability on the face. How can all this be combined with the number 60? Yes, it's just a start to new records, to the title of "most-most" in another "weight" category. We wish our captain new victories, ideas, desires and opportunities! Good luck, heavenly mercy, weather on request, happiness in all respects!

Alexander Abramov, President of the 7 Summits Club, reports from the USA:

Today was an exciting day. We left Minneapolis. Then we drove towards the Canadian border. We stopped to have a snack and refuel in the city of Fargo, which is famous for the movie and TV series "Fargo". This movie is black humor. People are constantly being killed there. And all this happens in winter in a blizzard. That's right. A blizzard immediately began and it became creepy. After all, films are not made just like that. But overall, it was a beautiful day.

I went to Gym in the evening. 10 km uphill on a treadmill and an hour of strength exercises restored confidence and strength. We drive for 7-8 hours every day and movement is necessary in order not to freeze in the driver's position forever.

Tomorrow is the Canadian border and my anniversary. We will celebrate the anniversary in the USA in the morning and celebrate it in Canada in the evening. 60 years after all!

The guide of the 7 Summits Club Andrey Berezin reports from Argentina:

 Buenos Dias from the slopes of Aconcagua! News from the Gatito Luis group. Strong winds at the top of Aconcagua have made adjustments to our assault plans. Therefore, in order not to turn sour at all, one of the days of rest we decided to take a walk around the neighborhood. Part of the group with Edgar climbed the summit of Cerro Bonete, the other part of the group visited glacial icebergs, also known as calgaspores, near the camp. Today we are preparing for the ascent and tomorrow we are going to storm the summit. The guides of the group are Andrey Berezin, Sergey Avtomonov, Valery Myasoedov and Edgar Parra.

Alexander Abramov, President of the 7 Summits Club, reports from the USA:

Today we left Chicago and it was a hard day. We drove more than 600 km to Minneapolis on icy roads. The temperature is already -23 degrees. In the morning, the non-freezing liquid in the window washers froze. We had to stop and warm it up with boiling water at the gas station. We bought a new liquid at -37C.

The whole road is littered with long tracks that have flown into a ditch. These are the consequences of bad weather and a snow-covered highway. We drove carefully. No more than 120 km per hour and discussed how best to drive 4x4 or how?

Minneapolis surprised me. It's a nice huge, but kind of homely city.

In the evening, we also managed to drive to a REI store. We bought equipment for the spring Everest and summer K2. In the evening there is a Japanese restaurant.

I need to sleep, because in the morning at 6:30 I have to go to the gym. Constantly driving, the body grows stout and weak. We need a load.

 Nikita Slotin, a guide of the 7 Summits Club, reports from Chile:

Greetings from the group "Machines" from Chile! The process of acclimatization and rest is completed. Today we conducted classes on the use of jumars and abseiling devices and now we are fully ready to go climbing. All participants feel good, are in a fighting mood and are ready to climb to the top. Tonight we are going to storm the summit of Ojos del Salado.

On January 4, the team of the 7 Summits Club climbed the highest volcano in Antarctica, Mount Sidley (4265m). The assault exit from the camp (2900) to the camp (2900) took about 13 hours. Four people completed the Seven Volcanoes project with this ascent. Now the list of Russians who climbed all seven volcanoes has grown from 8 to 12 people. There are 43 people in the World, Russia is much ahead of everyone!

The Seven Volcanoes program has been completed: Nikolai Tomchak, Oleg Pipkov, Evgeny Fedorov and the expedition leader Lyudmila Korobeshko. The rest of the ascent participants are 1-2 Summits away from the completion of the Seven Volcanoes program. This is the first Kazakhstani to reach the top of Sidley, Yuri Lukyanov. As well as Sergey Vasiliev, Igor Rebelsky, Andrey Kravchenko and Vladimir Solovyov – all Russians.

Alexander Abramov, President of the 7 Summits Club, reports from the USA:

The wind was blowing so hard outside all night that I thought it was the air conditioner roaring. Today was an interesting day. Kostya Vasenko and I got up at 6:30 a.m. Let's go to Gym. We worked out for an hour before breakfast. At 9 a.m. we went out to the cars. They're all in ice. The doors barely opened.

Go. The track is in ice. They gradually accelerated. Today there was a section of about 500 km between Detroit and Chicago. There were at least 10 cars lying on the roadsides, which had already flown off the highway. Tinsmith's Day. Before reaching Chicago, about 100 kilometers away, such a case occurred.  Either drunk or stoned, an African-American with dreadlocks and a Lancer was driving in the left lane. It looks like it's caught on a snow bank. He started spinning on the road. And smoothly demolish it in the right row. In which our column was traveling. He flew straight into the car where Lesha Safonov and Vasya Shakhnovsky were sitting. Lesha managed to slow down, and the torpedo flew between the first and second cars into a ditch. To be honest, it was sooo dangerous. On an icy road, he could just push the car into a ditch. They didn't have time to film it, of course. But it's imprinted on my brain. Everyone is alive. 

Since we arrived in Chicago early, we decided to take a ride through the center. We saw the third bridge, under which the brothers from the movie Brother 2 met. Actually, it was a fun trip.

We're going to Minneapolis tomorrow. It's already minus 20. And in Yellow Knife, the intermediate finish of our race, it is already minus 35.

Andrey Berezin, the guide of the 7 Summits Club, reports from Argentina:

Buenos Dias from the slopes of Aconcagua!  Our group "Gatito Luis" conducted an acclimatization rotations with an overnight stay at Nido de Condores. The night went well. After that, we went down to the Plaza de Condores base camp. We will wait for the weather window here. The guides of the group are Andrey Berezin, Sergey Avtomonov and Valery Myasoedov.

Boris Egorov, the guide of the 7 Summits Club, reports from Argentina:

Greetings from Patagonia! It's sad to report some news, but I have to. Our weather "window" collapsed and only a "window pane" remained. It happened on the eve of the exit, when the last preparations had already been made and we were ready to go to the approach to the mount of Fitzroy. We had to make plans on the go. And instead of Fitzroy, they decided to climb a small one-day wall. Still, here, on the edge of the world, you can't lose even such small opportunities. And we did the right thing! We climbed classic route on Aguja Guillaumet. Kilometers along trails and unpleasant drifts, snow and ice under the mountain and in front of the very top, but then 15 ropes of very pleasant climbing on granite of medium difficulty. We acted safely and fairly quickly. It's nice to be a well-coordinated team and enjoy climbing. Plus one steep wall passed, a little more experience and now, as Alexey said: "Fitzroy is surrounded and he has no chance left." We will try to make the ascent next time.

Guides Boris Egorov and Vladimir Murzaev

Artem Rostovtsev, a guide of the 7 Summits Club, reports from Antarctica:

 Hello Seven Summits! These are the far South, Antarctica. Vinson Massive, expedition on Mount Vinson with Artyom Rostovtsev. Yesterday we moved from Union Glacier to Base Camp and today we decided to go straight up to Low Camp. We're fine here, we're alone – no more commands, no one bothers us. The plan is to spend a couple more days here, but we will look at the weather. Everything is fine with everyone. The group feels fine, the participants are motivated. We will relax and then continue to storm the summit.

 Photos from Punto Arenas