LNT

Namaste!
We are always glad to hear from prospective Alpine Ascents climbers! We have nothing but the highest of praise for Alpine Ascents. Our first trip with them was to Nepal for the trek to Everest Base Camp in the Spring of 1998. Our expedition leaders were Todd Burleson and Gordon Janow and this trip continues to be are all time favorite climbing adventure and we have climbed in South America, Africa and all over the US.

Since Everest Base Camp we have done the following trips with Alpine Ascents - Mt. Baker Mountaineering School, summer, 1998, with our 3 kids Mt. Kilimanjaro, summer, 2000 Alaska Mountaineering School, summer 2003 We were scheduled to go back to Nepal to climb Island Peak with Alpine Ascents in October of 2001, but with the events of 9-11, our kids asked us to postpone this trip.

My husband and I live in Kansas City, but spend a great deal of time in Colorado. This is where we train when we are preparing for high altitude trips by climbing lots and lots of Colorado's 14,000 ft peaks, ice climbing, back-country skiing and biking. The trek to Base Camp is long and steady, but Island Peak is a technical climb and is a whole different deal than the trek. I'm not sure which trip you are planning on going on, but this would make a difference about the degree of difficulty. Also, one never knows how your body will react to high altitude. Have you already done high altitude climbing?

Answers to some of your other questions -
*We have always found that the people that are wanting to tackle this kind of adventure are usually fun to be around.
*Ages on the Nepal trek - 23 to 64.
* We didn't feel like we were bumping into people everywhere. I understand that tourism in Nepal remains down, so would guess there are still not huge numbers in the Khumbu.
*No unexpected expenses - you will want to tip your Sherpas, but as I remember that was pretty well outlined in the Alpine Ascents info.
* I researched lots and lots of companies before we did our first trip and Alpine Ascents was always at the top in every aspect.
The trip to Everest Base Camp was a most incredible experience because there you are surrounded by these magnificent peaks in every direction that you look. But, what made the trip so unique to us was the wonderful culture of the Khumbu. The Alpine Ascents Sherpa staff have a way of sharing their environs and lifestyles with you. Todd Burleson and Alpine Ascents have such an outstanding reputation in the Khumbu and special doors are opened because of this relationship.

Good luck to you as you make your decision.

Becky & Warren Johnson