I dont' know when your half term would be, Iain seems to run coruses around end of Feb. start of March. If 2012 is any thing like this year, good snow/ice is hard to find unless you know area, Iain does and found us the conditions needed to practise winter skills.
If Iain manages to get a trip to Mera organised in 2012 or 2013 I might see you there.
Maybe if you PMed Iain, or contacted him via www.kendalmountaineeringservices.co.uk he might be able to give you advice, when he'd be thinking of running OMWS12.
I for one want to take part in the winter climbing as I had to miss doing it this year. Gary and Mark told me they really enjoyed it and would do it again and everyone, including myself, who did the other courses had a great time, learned a lot, or refreshed them in some things they had done before.
Sophia, treks to Mera, having looked at a few companies running them, usually take around 25 to 28 days. Depending on route taken or what camp summit bid is started from, some go from a 'mid' camp above base camp and others go from a 'high' camp above 'mid' camp, which adds another day, but helps with acclimatisation.
As for skills needed, it's not a 'technical' peak, so winter skills, (which Iain runs for OM'ers, are very good value for the amount charged and he is a very good instructor), rope skills like moving roped up, maybe using fixed rope, would be helpfull but I'm sure Iain would make sure if you didn't have the necessary skills, he'd show what was needed be forehand. You don't need winter climbing skills, like using double climbing axes but you will have to use crampons and a walking axe.
Hope this helps.
The seasons for trying any peak in the Himalyas are pre Monsoon, March/April/May and post Monsoon, September/ October/ November.
After November you are into Winter when most trekking/ climbing is almost impossible for most people.
Paul.
Hi Sophia,
Paul is reasonably accurate in what he says above. You don't need winter climbing skills but you would be advised to attend a winter skills course before going to Mera.
Also, we had two nights at 5045m (at Khare) before going up to High Camp at 5800m before going for the summit (6476m) the following morning. Above Khare, you climb on to the Mera Glacier so axe & crampons are required from thereon although we roped up only on the morning of the summit day as is a general requirement during glacier travel.
We did not, as some people do, spend an intermediate night at Base Camp (5350m) before heading to High Camp.
We climbed Mera peak in October 2009 and only just missed the end of the monsoon (it was still lingering for the first week) and we took three weeks over the trip.
I would aim to use the same itinery as we did then as it worked well. Rather than describing it all have a look at my blog posts from 2009 which well describes what we did and the way in which we prepared for our ascent of Mera.
If there is interest in my putting together an OM Mera October 2012 thread up, I shall do this and will speak to my Nepalese contact (Kami) about putting a price together based on the itinery outlined in my blog.
If you make Scotlandshire, next year, around OMWS12 gi is ashout, I hope to be doing a couple of Iain's courses.
WS, for a refresher and the climbing as I missed it last time.
Could meet and go out between courses. As long as you slow pace down a tad!! Not racing off like a mountain hare!!! My poor wee knees can't cope with that!!
I know you wanted to 'damage you knee before surgery' ! Maybe that's why mine went first!!
just a quick note to let you know that two weeks after the skills course (around 28th of march) I left for Kathmandu to join my fellow climbers and we headed for Tibet to Everest Base Camp. At 815AM on Saturday the 21st of May I stood on the summit and enjoyed the view on a beautiful clear day. I am the youngest person born in south Ireland to have done so. I got home last sunday and have been celebrating for the week!
The OM winter skills course was a major boost not only in picking up new skills and honing old ones but as a major confidence builder in terms of being able to look after myself on the mountains. Thanks again to everyone who took part and thanks to Iain for running it.
Hope life's keeping ya busy,
Mark
Hi Mark,
Well done on your achievement, so you are the youngest "Free Stater" to climb Everest, I take my hat off to you sir.
