Monkey Mountaineering

11/12/2024

Last weeks was the summit of Catbells in the Lake District - great work if you correctly identified it.

Today is International Mountain Day and so we are celebrating the iconic Kilimanjaro.
It’s the biggest free standing mountain in the world and at 5895m it’s the highest mountain on the African continent.

Although they are receding as a result of global warming, Kilimanjaro is host to a number of glaciers which provide a vital water source for the populations living on and around the mountain as well as local agriculture and food production.

Lower down, its fragile montane and cloud forests are biodiverse and home to multiple species, some of which are endemic to Kilimanjaro.

Tourism plays a big role on Kilimanjaro with thousands of visitors attempting to reach its summit each year generating millions of dollars in revenue for the Tanzanian Government, a small percentage of which stays in the local economy benefiting the people who live and work there.

Booking a trip to Kilimanjaro is easy as there are hundreds of tour operators offering various different packages but beware, not all are equal. If Kilimanjaro is on your bucket list and you want to soak up the spectacular views from the summit then make sure you book with a KPAP member. That way you will be on a trip where the local staff are treated well and not subject to exploitation. You will also be more likely to be successful as a happy support crew on the mountain generally equals a much better experience.

To play your part in helping to preserve this wild and beautiful mountain, book using a tour operator who has sustainable practices. Only climb in a small group (maximum of 8 people) to minimise your impact and when you go, leave no trace…

Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints.

Happy International Mountain Day

05/12/2024

Photographs don't do this view any justice - it's far more awesome when you are there in the flesh, taking it all in!

This is Everest just before dark, viewed from Kalapatthar.

Why not join us and see it for yourself in 2025?

Unleash your inner explorer - visit Everest Base Camp with Monkey Mountaineering.

04/12/2024

Only three weeks to go until Santa struggles down your chimney!

Last weeks was a very snow Aourirt n'Ouassif, a brilliant 2726m viewpoint in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Unfortunately no one correctly identified it! If you want to climb this gem then get in touch for more info.

This weeks photo is from almost exactly 2 years ago - I think plenty of people will have been here. Who can name this popular summit?

28/11/2024

Just over a month ago we were having our photo taken by the iconic graffitied rock at Everest Base Camp.

It’s difficult to describe how totally awesome the journey to get there is and the absolute sense of achievement you get when reaching this rock.

The only way to understand it is to do it yourself!

Why not join us for this amazing adventure in 2025 - autumn trek dates coming soon…

27/11/2024

Can you believe it’s Wednesday again already?
And it’s the last Wednesday in November – only four more Wednesdays to Christmas!

Last week we showed you a chilly photo of the summit of Helvellyn in the Lake District – despite the popularity of this summit, there were no correct answers!

Who can name this week’s summit?
(clue: it’s not in the Lake District)

21/11/2024

When you visit Nepal on one of our trip we often include a sightseeing day in Kathmandu.

One of the sites we visit is the UNESCO world heritage site of Pashupatinath Temple, one of the sacred temples of the Hindu faith.

Across the Bagmati river from Pashupatinath Temple you'll see Sadhu.

Sadhu literally means 'good man' or 'holy man'. These men have given up all their material attachments and worldly belongings to live a simple life.

They are often colourful and enigmatic.

Not all of them are genuine though and some will demand payment when you try to take their picture!

If you haven't been on one of our treks or visited Kathmandu or Nepal then why not add it to the top of your list and make it a reality in 2025?

20/11/2024

Welcome to Wednesday - winter has arrived to some parts of the UK, are you ready to get out in the winter hills and mountains?

Last weeks mountain was the superb summit of Sgurr nan Gillian in the Black Cuillins on the Isle of Skye - one of my favourite UK summits.

This is also one of my favourites but can anyone tell me where this rimed up trig point is?

13/11/2024

I’ll bet you’d thought we’d forgotten about - well, we haven’t we are just pretty disorganised today!

Last week we showed you the summit of Ben Vane - who knows what this week’s summit is?

12/11/2024

Thinking of climbing Mera Peak?

Here is our number one top tip to help you be successful.

There are a number of different ways to approach Mera Peak. The route you select will have an impact on how long the journey takes, how well you are able to acclimatise and ultimately whether you successfully reach the summit or not. The shortest route includes a crossing of the Zatrwa La within the first few days of the trek.

Short itineraries are attractive because they reduce the amount of time you need to take off work and offer, in theory, the same outcome as itineraries spread over more days. The short itinerary also has the advantage of generally having a lower price and let’s face it, who wants to pay more for something when you can get it much cheaper?

The Wilderness Medical Society suggest that the best approach to avoiding the problems of altitude related illness such as AMS, HACE and HAPE is to follow a gradual ascent profile. They advise ‘…above an altitude of 3000m, individuals should not increase the sleeping elevation by more than 500m per day and should include a rest day (ie, no ascent to higher sleeping elevation) every 3 to 4 days’.

A short itinerary is very unlikely to follow these guidelines and so there will be insufficient time to acclimatise. This in turn significantly reduces your chances of summit success whilst increasing the likelihood that you will develop AMS or the more serious and life-threatening conditions HACE and/or HAPE. These conditions will curtail your trip and according to the UIAA, ‘…each year, fatalities from these conditions are reported amongst mountaineers and local workers who cross the Zatrwa La’.

Whilst a short itinerary might appear both time and cost effective, it can significantly reduce your chances of summit success on Mera Peak and can lead to serious complications including death.

Fortunately, this issue can be resolved relatively easily. Choose an itinerary that takes a gradual approach to Mera Peak, does not cross the Zatwra La in the first few days and has one or two acclimatisation days programmed in, a good example of a Mera Peak itinerary designed for success can be found on our website. This is simple if booking a trip in the UK as most, but not all, UK providers design their itineraries with acclimatisation in mind. Whilst this might cost a little bit more both in terms of time and money, I can guarantee that it will be worth it. If you choose to arrange your trip after having arrived in Kathmandu, in one of the many trekking agencies in Thamel then make sure you negotiate an itinerary that meets the criteria described above.

Read full article here:

Generally, if you want to be successful then you need a plan - here is our plan for how to successfully climb Mera Peak.

07/11/2024

It’s just about 2 weeks ago that we were in Nepal, soaking up the culture and sights in Kathmandu after a fantastic and 100% successful Everest Base Camp trek.

If you were on our trek, are you missing it?

If you’ve been to Nepal, did you enjoy it?

It’s a hugely diverse and vibrant place to visit and Nepali hospitality is second to none.

If you haven’t been then I thoroughly recommend you add it to your list and make it happen - you definitely won’t regret it.

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06/11/2024

Happy Wednesday!

No points for correctly identifying Toubkal last week but here’s something much more challenging - what mountain am I standing on this week?

01/11/2024

Pinch Punch - First of the month!

Welcome to November - we thought we'd start the month off with a great bit of feedback that we received earlier this week.

Tim came to Everest Base Camp with us last month and had a thoroughly amazing time - you can read his full review here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wp8XYnDFgg4R57zR6

If Everest Base Camp is on your bucket list then why not get in touch - scheduled dates are on our website and we can also arrange bespoke dates and private group trips.

Don't delay - book today!

31/10/2024

Environmental Responsibility.

What does that mean?

Well, it can mean many things and one way we like to view it is that we leave no trace and make a positive effort to leave the environments that we visit in a better condition than we found it.

Tricky to achieve perhaps?

If you are in the Khumbu in Nepal you can exercise your environmental responsibility when you trek out towards Lukla from Namche Bazaar.

As you pass the checkpoint below Namche you can pick up one or more of these 1kg bags, carrying out old plastic bottles and tin cans that have been collected up from the trail by a team of dedicated volunteers.

Easy - why not get involved and make a difference?

30/10/2024

Just pause for a moment and imagine how it might feel to stand right here…

OK, you don’t have to climb up on the metal pyramid but just imagine standing on this summit, breathing in the cool fresh air and marvelling at the fantastic 360 degree views…

This is the summit of Toubkal, the highest mountain in Morocco and the whole of North Africa.

It’s a great introduction to trekking at altitude, non technical and easily attainable for anyone of average fitness.

Our next trip departs on 15 March 2025 and we still have space - DM us now to grab yours!

No points for correct guesses this week but well done if you correctly identified last weeks mountain as Nuptse, the 7861m giant that’s just over a mile to the WSW of Everest.

23/10/2024

Almost forgot it was Wednesday today!

Who knows what this magnificent mountain is?