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Mustang 2010
Actually, in mid-August we were supposed to go to Ladakh on the 6000m 'Kang Yatse' and 'Stok Kangri'. On 06.08. In 2010, an exceptionally heavy monsoon brought extreme amounts of rain and caused massive landslides and mudslides. A trip to Leh had become impossible. With the help of Dorjee Sherpa from 'ICE LAND TREKKING' in Katmandu we were able to organize an ad hoc trek to remote Mustang.
Dry rocky landscapes with colorful oases in the villages and the surrounding fields. On foot and on horseback to Lo Man Tang - royal seat and main town - partly in the rain and through flowing rivers. The monsoon was also exceptionally felt in Mustang on the actually very dry north side of the Himalayas directly on the border with Tibet.
Nepal 2007 - Baruntse
In October we reached Lukhla via Katmandu and Pokhara with ever smaller planes. From here we had almost four weeks to climb the Baruntse (7168m). But first it was eight days over several passes to the very remote Honku Valley south of Makkalu and Everest.
We set up two high camps and took our time acclimatizing. Unfortunately, not everything went as planned from the base camp: in addition to a failure due to pulmonary edema, our group of five became smaller and smaller due to exertion and the cold.
Franz and Gregor's attempt at the summit failed after the glorious idea of spending the night in the 2nd high camp with minimal luggage. At almost 7000m Gregor also turned around - didn't fit...
Uganda - Rwanda 2007
Lisa, Teresa and Christine reached the rainy slopes of Mount Ruwenzori through the jungle of Ruwenzori Mountains National Park. From there Lisa and Christine continued to climb the glaciated Margherita Peak (5109m). In many years, the path resembles a mud slide. July 2007 was largely dry weather, a major win for the area.
After Mount Ruwenzori, well acclimatized, we continued to Rwanda in the mountains of the Bwindi National Park. Here the three experienced several impressive encounters with the mountain gorillas of the Umubano and the Susa Group.
UNFORGETTABLE!
Karakorum 2006 - Gasherbrum II
In 2004 I (Gregor) decided to climb one of the 14 highest mountains in the world. I had been preparing for this for two years. Gasherbrum II (8034m) became my goal because of the "relatively" safe route and the altitude that can be reached without oxygen. Through a commercial expedition by AMICAL ALPIN, I became part of a motley team. The week-long climb over the Baltoro Glacier past K2 and Broadpeak was impressive.
The ascent led over four high camps to the sharp summit ridge. On 07/10 Early in the morning at 6 a.m. I stood in perfect conditions with nine participants, two Pakistani porters and our guides Michi Wärthl and David Göttler on the summit of Gasherbrum II.
Peru 2004
The first destination we reach in a donkey trek is the camp above the Llanganuco lakes in the Huandoy massif. Then the next morning first awakening in the fresh snow and on to the high camp on the glacier below the Huandoy. From there on the Nevado Pisco (5752m). More fresh snow during the night. The attempt to get to the Huandoy East (6070m) via the east ridge sinks in the snow.
Then we went to Artesonraju (the mountain from the Paramount Pictures logo...). From the high camp for acclimatization again in the direction of Paria Grande and there unfortunately headfirst into the crevasse of the bergschrund. Lisa worked hard to bring me back to the surface. With a broken arm and a few other injuries, he returned to Switzerland for treatment. We decide to focus a bit more on mainstream routes in the future...
Peru 2003
We start in Huaraz, the lively starting point to the mountains of the Cordillera Blanca. After a short acclimatization in the city we continue to the farming settlement of Collon and with mules to the Ishinca Base Camp. There a great camp at the cold mountain stream. Here we meet Michael and Sibylle (with whom we have always done great tours together...). From the camp on the plain we climb Nevado Urus (5420m) and Ishinca (5530m).
After a day off we feel fit for the Tocclaraju (6032m). We set up a high camp at about 5300m and spend a quiet night. We continue early in the morning - past a larger group of Japanese on the steep snow and ice peaks of Tocclaraju.
We are the first this season and we (Lisa, Christine and Gregor) can really enjoy the summit. A total of - in all these years - probably the most beautiful mountain experience for us.
Ecuador 2001
For acclimatization we first undertake a longer trek around the Altar massif and climb the Cerro Pasochoa (4199m) and Cerro Jacocha 4650m. We are in the deserted Pampa and are really surprised when, after five days in the no-where, we actually meet the jeep that will take us back to Quito as agreed. Now on to the Cayambe (5897m), the three of us reach the summit early in the morning after a cold night.
Then we try our hand at Antizana (5790m) but spend several days in fog and rain in the tent and only manage a hesitant attempt to get to the summit through the crevassed flanks. Finally, we continue on to the Chimborazo (6270m) on which we exhausted ourselves completely in the previous year without success. With "good" fresh snow, the three of us happily reach the Ventimilla summit.
Ecuador 2000
We start in the lively metropolis of Quito. To get used to the altitude, we first hike up the Cerro Pasochoa (4199m). Relatively quickly we continue to the Illinizas. This should take revenge soon...
After we first climb the Illiniza Norte (5126m) from the 'Refugio Nuevos Horizontes' we spend another night at 4740m. When we start the ascent to the lliniza Sur (5248m) the next morning I am tormented by a raging headache and I am walking in wavy lines. I need to be convinced that I have altitude sickness. Medis and an immediate descent help. After a sufficient break we climb the Cotopaxi (5897m) in a wonderful atmosphere. Our attempt at the Chimborazo fails - we are too tired and want to come back.
Bolivia 1998
From La Paz to the mountains of the Codelliras Real. After a short acclimatization in La Paz with mules to the camp below the Condoriri (3750 m). Then on to the peaks of Cerro Jallayco, Nevado d' Illusion and Pequenjo Alpamayo (5410 m) respectively for altitude adjustment. We tried the Condoriri but quickly gave up because it was so brittle.
Then we continued with the llamas to the Huayna Potosi (6094 m). There we made a high camp at 5200 m and climbed from there to the summit the next day.
The highlight was climbing Nevado Illimani (6462 m). Here, too, we made a high camp in the "Nido des Condores" at 5450m before climbing the steep and icy flank to the summit the next night.
Kenya - Tanzania 1997
Our first "big mountain trip" takes us to Tanzania and Kenya together with our friends Götz and Geli. We climb Kilimanjaro (5895m) via the less frequented and somewhat adventurous Umbwe route and reach Uhuru Peak very happy and very tired.
After a short rest we continue to Mount Kenya (5189m). The mountain is very rocky and steep and therefore has a very different character to Kili and you climb a classic alpine-style rock route. The four of us reach the summit and can abseil down to the camp on the same day.
As a 'reward' we go on a safari afterwards and we can admire the spectacular nature extensively.