Who's Going:

  • 50 yaks
  • 14 climbing sherpas
  • 10 non-guided climbers
  • 6 trekkers
  • 5 kitchen staff
  • 2 trekking guides
  • 2 non-guided consultants/coaches

Day    Date Itinerary of the trek accompanying the climbers
1-2 Mar 21-22 Depart USA; most climbers and trekkers fly via Thai Airlines from LAX and cross the International Date Line en route with an overnight in Bangkok
3 Mar 23 Fly from Bangkok to Kathmandu; after clearing customs, team members are met at the airport for transfer to our hotel; evening welcome reception and dinner
4 Mar 24 Free day to explore Kathmandu's rich and diverse culture, including the Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath, and Swayambunath, the Monkey Temple
5 Mar 25 Fly to Lukla in STOL aircraft or helicopter; meet Sherpa support team and begin the trek to Base Camp with a short hike to Phakding on the Dudh Kosi River
6 Mar 26 Hike to historic Namche Bazaar at 11,300 ft. where where Nepalese and Tibetan traders exchange salt, dried meat, gold and textiles; explore Namche's village, Sherpa museum and markets
7 Mar 27 Acclimatization day in Namche; relax and explore the village, or make a hike to Thame, several hours up the valley, to see the monastery and the village.
8 Mar 28 Hike through Khumjung to Phortse, hometown of many of our expedition Sherpas. This is the "back way", off the main trail, and the route to Gokyo.
9 Mar 29 Climb to Tengboche; vistas of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam. Drop down and cross the Dudh Kosi River over a spectacular footbridge.
10 Mar 30 Acclimatization day in Tengboche; visit Monastery, attend ceremonies. On the trip back to Kathmandu, the rhododendrons will be blooming in this area.
11 Mar 31 Hike via Pangboche to Dingboche at 14,450 ft. Follow the River to a large Sherpa village up the valley, at the foot of Ama Dablam. Visit Pangboche monastery.
12 Apr 01 Acclimatization day in Dingboche; day hike up the Imja Khola valley to Chukung. Dingboche is a "warm" village, since it gets good sun during the day.
13 Apr 02 Hike to Pheriche, in the Dudh Kosi valley; visit high altitude research and medical center. This is the colder and windier valley, the way to Base Camp!
14 Apr 03 Ascend to Lobuche; trail passes through the Sherpa memorial on the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. Trail likely to be snow covered from here.
15 Apr 04 Hike glacial moraine to Gorak Shep, the last outpost en route to Base Camp. The route is rugged hiking on the rocky trail. Lots of yak trains going to the BC.
16 Apr 05 Acclimatization day in Gorak Shep, day climb of 18,300 ft. Kala Pattar. This is the staging area for Base Camp commerce. See the memorials to climbers.
17 Apr 06 Hike to Base Camp, about 17,300 ft. (depending on where it is set). If you are feeling strong, you can be at Base Camp before lunch time. Take it slow!
18 Apr 07 Morning Puja ceremony. Venture to the base of the Khumbu Icefall, and get some photos. Explore BC in the afternoon.
  April Remainder of April acclimatization and supplying lower camps.
  May As weather permits moving to higher camps and summit assault.

Jason Tanguay

Climbing Resume
70+ Ascents of Mt. Rainier, Washington (14,411')
1 Expedition to Mt. Everest (North Side)
1 Expedition to Cho Oyu
5 Expeditions to Mt. McKinley (20,320')
1 Expedition to Mexico: Pico de Orizaba (18,701') & Nevado de Toluca ( 15390')
1 Expedition in Chugach Range, Alaska
Winter ascent of Mt. Whitney, California (14, 495')
Several ascents in the Cascade & Olympic Ranges, Washington & Oregon
Co-recipient of the American Alpine Club's David A. Sowles Award 2001– “unselfish devotion to imperiled climbers”
Contributor of narrative to the book Detectives on Everest

Jason has worked as a professional mountain guide for the last seven years. Mountain guiding has taken him to many peaks in the western US and around the world, including the top of Mt. Rainier over 60 times.   Jason has guided on 4 Mt. McKinley expeditions, and 1 Chugach expedition in Alaska.  
In 2001 Jason reached 28,500 on the North Side of Mt. Everest as part of the Mallory and Irvine Research Expedition.  He turned around just below the summit to help two injured climbers. For this he received the Sowles award from the American Alpine Club. Jason has also climbed on Cho Oyu , the world's 6th highest mountain.

Jason holds a Masters in teaching and works as a high school biology teacher on Vashon Island in Washington . He became certified as an EMT in 1995 and is currently certified as a Wilderness First Responder (WFR).