Kuznetsova Anastasia

Nastya Kuznetsova, a guide of the 7 Summits Club, reports from Nepal:

Nepal Everchess 2024, Ferice 4200 m - Lobuche 4900 m, trekking to the Everest base camp.

Snow greetings from the Himalayas!  Today we woke up to the sound of helicopters in the village of Feriche at 4,200 m. The morning was sunny and the helicopter companies operating communications throughout the valley between the Everest base camp and Lukla took advantage of this. Helicopters scurried back and forth across the valley like bumblebees over a sunflower field.

We are gaining further heights. The trees have already disappeared, followed by creeping coniferous shrubs with tiny flowers of Alpine meadows. The height in the cafe was fixed at 4600 m. Then a long climb is already under the snow to the memorial complex of the dead climbers. Every time we pass through here, we visit our friend Valery Rozov.

The village of Lobuche met us with snowdrifts and snowfall. Here we also met our guys from the team that goes to the summit of Lobuche with Sergey Avtomonov.

In the late afternoon, nature gave us a gift and showed us the surrounding Summits in the sunset light. Tomorrow we should reach our main destination - Everest Base Camp. Part of the group will go there with climbing at Kala Patthar, the other part will go directly to BC.

Your guides are Valery Myasoedov, Andrey Berezin, Anastasia Kuznetsova.

Nepal, Lobuche 4900 m.

Nastya Kuznetsova: news from Nepal, the Everchess 2024 team or "Your own board".

Nepal, Everchess 2024 team, Namche – Deboche.

Today was a rhododendron fantastic trek! The team made the march from Namche Bazaar (3450 m) to Deboche (3850 m) through a rhododendron flowering forest. According to the participants, it was an easy route compared to yesterday's acclimatization (aka rest day).

Later in the evening, another dream of some participants came true. First, we could have a cup of freshly brewed coffee with fresh pastries.

And secondly, we visited the famous Tibetan monastery of Tinboche, where we managed to see the footprints of the lama on the stone, and we also received a blessing from a Buddhist monk for our team.

In the evening after dinner, the trekker team decided to hold their alternative highest-altitude tournament at the Everest base camp, but not in chess, but in dixie cards.

Tomorrow we will go to Feriche (4,200 m). Your guides are Valery Myasoedov, Andrey Berezin, Anastasia Kuznetsova.

Nastya Kuznetsova, a guide of the 7 Summits Club, reports from Nepal:

 News from Nepal from the Everchess team". Day of acclimatization in Namche Bazaar (3840 m). Today was a busy day! Our task was to acclimatize and see all the beauty around.  We started with the monument to Tenzing Norgay (the first Sherpa to climb Mount Everest with Edmund Hillary) surrounded by panoramas of mountain ranges including Mount Everest. For some team members, their wish to see Mount Everest has already been fulfilled right here.

Then we plunged into the life and history of Sherpas in the museum of the deaf-mute photographer Sonam. The next point was the sun terrace listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the highest mountain hotel - Everest view hotel (3880 m). We felt lucky, because we were alone in a usually crowded hotel and the view of Mount Everest opened up to us. Thanks for that!

And the most interesting thing was the live music on the piano performed by our youngest participant Peter Minko. It was amazing! Magical music on the background of stunning mountains!

Then lunch in the village of Kumjung, where the main dishes are made from potatoes. And, of course, the Kumjung Tibetan monastery, where, in addition to the yeti scalp, Tibetan books with Buddhist teachings and other relics are also kept. We returned to Namche through the rhododendron forest, the flowers of which are still in buds.

Tomorrow we will move towards the Tengboche Monastery. Everyone really wants to get into the service. Let's see how it will be.

Your guides are Valery Myasoedov, Andrey Berezin, Anastasia Kuznetsova.

Nastya Kuznetsova: news from Nepal, the Everchess 2024 team or "Your own board".

Greetings from the magical Himalayan valley leading to Everest! It is magical because wishes are fulfilled here and because it is beautiful. I would like to remind you that a team of chess players with a support group is climbing to the Everest base camp in order to take part in the world's first high-altitude chess tournament organized by the Russian Chess Federation.

The team is in good shape and in a good mood! Today our way lay from Phakding to the main city of the valley - the capital of the Sherpas Namche Bazaar (3450 m). We gained about 800 m in height, left at 9.00, arrived around 17. That is, it is clear that they were in no hurry, but with jokes and jokes they smoothly gained altitude.

The chess team wasted no time, the participants played several games "blindly". Along the way, exclamations like E2, G5 were heard every now and then, and when the others decided to clarify what this meant, it turned out that the guys were playing on the move without boards, keeping the whole game in mind. Was it possible? Something incredible! I didn't know until now that it was possible!

According to Andrey Minkov, and according to the results of the Russia - Nepal chess tournament, possible favorites for the upcoming match have already been determined. These are Alexander Ryazantsev, the grandmaster and coach of the Russian national team, and Yuri Kalinichenko, who decided to join the team at the last moment and ascends to the Everest summit with his charming wife Anastasia.

Along the way, we soaked up the beauty of the valley and felt the energy and special atmosphere of the Hillary Bridge, the name of a man revered among climbers.

In the evening we walked through the streets of Namche Bazaar at sunset, after dinner we divided according to interests.

A team of chess players trained their brains, but no longer with chess, a card game with some interesting name.

Another part of the team spent the evening playing dixie and talking about the peculiarities of brain activity depending on the height factor and not only with comments from our participant, Professor of neurology Eduard Yakupov, who runs his blog and helps people with sleep disorders.

Tomorrow is the day of acclimatization and the second night in Namche Bazaar.

Your guides are Valery Myasoedov, Andrey Berezin, Anastasia Kuznetsova.

Nastya Kuznetsova, a guide of the 7 Summits Club, reports from Nepal:

Nepal/Lukla, Evechess 2024 team news.

Hello everyone! We had some important news today. First of all, the whole team flew from Kathmandu to Lukla! Two helicopters flew from Kathmandu and took off at 5 and 7 a.m., the other half of the team took off to Lukla from Ramechap and left Kathmandu at 2 a.m.

The team gathered in Lukla and went on the route to the Everest base camp. Today's destination is a great lodge in Phakding on the riverbank, where you can still enjoy a hot shower and heated white sheets. 

Now we are resting and preparing for tomorrow's transfer to the capital of the Sherpas Namche Bazaar (3450 m), where we will spend 2 nights.

Your guides are Valery Myasoedov, Andrey Berezin and Anastasia Kuznetsova.

Phakding / Nepal.

Nastya Kuznetsova, a guide of the 7 Summits Club, reports from Nepal:

News, Nepal EVECHESS 2024 team

Greetings from exciting Kathmandu!

Today was an amazing day!  In the morning, the rest of the team arrived and immediately after the flight joined a tour of Kathmandu with the incendiary Elena Trishankova. The tour took place in the top places. We started from the royal Durbar Square, where we reviewed all the carvings on temples depicting scenes of the Kama Sutra and not only, received a blessing from the living goddess Kumari.  

At the Swayambunath Monkey Temple, we made a bark around an ancient stupa, admired the views of Kathmandu from the top of the hill and purchased the most sonorous and clear-sounding singing bowls from a local master.

At the Buddhist stupa, Boudinath received a blessing from local monks (its will be useful to us now), found their place in the wheel of samsara, relaxed on the roof with beer and a breeze, went to the tank painting school.

Instead of 4-5 hours, it turned out to be 7! And it could have been even more if it hadn't been for the international chess tournament, in which our team is represented on the Russian side.

The tournament was exciting. All the fans were sweating and rooting for ours. There was a live broadcast. There were 5 rounds, everyone played with everyone. The score is 4:1 in favor of the Nepalese team.

After the match, a welcome dinner was held in the almost throne room. And after dinner, those who did not have enough of the tournament went to play a little more chess. Tomorrow we have a "fly to Lukla" quest and the first day of trekking!

Your guides are Valery Myasoedov, Andrey Berezin, Anastasia Kuznetsova.

Nepal / Kathmandu

Nastya Kuznetsova, the guide of the 7 Summits Club, reports from Nepal:

  Nepal news, Day 1, April 29th. The EverChess 2024 team. Greetings to all from dusty Kathmandu! Here begins one of the most intriguing expeditions of this season, or maybe of the year, or maybe in general in history. The intrigue is that the Russian Chess Federation, with the support of the 7 Summits Club, is organizing an international chess tournament at an altitude of 5,300 m for the first time in history. It will take place at the Everest base camp, at the camp of the Everest expedition of the 7 Summits Club, where the high-altitude adaptation of the expedition participants is already underway.

The participants of the tournament will have to follow the classic trekking route to the Everest Base Camp in order to have time to adapt and get used to the altitude by the beginning of the tournament. The tournament itself is scheduled for May 8, 2024.

  Part of the group has already arrived and is resting after the flights, we will meet the rest of the participants tomorrow. But that's not all! Tomorrow, in addition to a tour of the ancient beauties of Kathmandu with an amazing guide Elena Trishankova and a welcome dinner, another significant event will take place. It will be a friendly match between the chess players of the Nepal Chess Federation and our chess players from Russia. The President of the Nepal Chess Federation has already come to us today to discuss the details. He wants to take part in the tournament personally!

In the meantime, our team is just going to Kathmandu and all the fun is still ahead!

Your guides are Valery Myasoedov, Andrey Berezin, Anastasia Kuznetsova from Kathmandu, Nepal.

Anastasia Kuznetsova, Manager of the 7 Summits Club: Today our SuperGirls team went on the Marangu route on Mount Kilimanjaro.

It rained for almost 5 hours, all the way to Mandara Hut. But we were not discouraged. The girls are great fighters! We did it!  In the evening, we celebrated the birthday of our cameraman Ilya Gladkikh. Everyone is happy. Tomorrow we move to the Horombo camp at 3800.

Greetings from the White Walkers group from the slopes of Kilimanjaro! This morning started with dancing and warm words. Next, we had a long but fascinating descent through the jungles of Kilimanjaro. We were very lucky to meet colobuses, monkeys that live only in these forests.

The long-awaited gala dinner ended with the presentation of medals and certificates in a romantic atmosphere under a starry sky and a bright bonfire flame. These moments will remain forever in the hearts of our participants! No one wanted it to end! And after that, we shared our impressions and made plans for the next mountains.

Guides Evgeny Fedyunin and Kristina Putintseva from Tanzania.

Greetings from Tanzania from the slopes of Kilimanjaro from the guides Evgeny Fedyunin and Kristina Putintseva! Today, our group "White Walkers" moved to the Kosovo assault camp (4800 m). Almost all groups start from the Barafu camp (4600 m), translated from Swahili as "snow camp". Our teams start from Kosovo, which allows us to save at least 1 hour of time and 200 m of drop during the assault.

Today the team will have to go out on the assault, we need to prepare and have a better rest. Guys! We wish the team good luck and keep our fists up for them! We are waiting for further news.

Anastasia Kuznetsova, guide and manager of the 7 Summits Club reports from Ecuador:

I remind you that there are 10 volcanoes in Ecuador above 5000 m and only one of them above 6000 m, it is also the highest peak of Ecuador and the furthest point from the center of the Earth - Chimborazo volcano (6310 m). Chimborazo is a project mountain and the dream of many climbers. I must admit that recently, for one reason or another, the groups on Chimborazo remained without the summit, to our great regret. One of my tasks was to figure out what is wrong and why the participants fail to reach the top.

   I received a certain acclimatization, although the group and I did not climb 2 of the 3 peaks, but high-altitude overnight stays were made and acclimatization rotations were made. The logistics at Chimborazo is built in this way. First you come to the administration of the National park. You show your permit and the residence permit of the guide (you can climb according to the rules only with licensed guides), you draw up the necessary documents. Then you go to the parking lot at 4800 m, where there is a shelter, but few people use it, because now local residents are responsible for it and it is sparsely populated and uncomfortable.

   Basically, all climbers make the march from a parking lot at 4800 to a high-altitude camp at 5,300 m. Moreover, as a rule, everyone goes at once in assault boots and carries all their belongings on themselves. And although the move to a high-altitude camp is considered easy (like 2-3 hours on a gentle path), but the drop of 500 m and the height itself above 5000 m has not been canceled. Most climbers come to the camp already tired, and after a few hours they go to the assault, so it is a great recommendation to negotiate in advance about the services of high-altitude porters. We immediately include this in all our national team programs, and I used this service myself, which allowed me to come to the camp light and not get tired on the way.

The start was scheduled for 23.00, so that there was a reserve of time, and so that there was an opportunity to go at your own pace. The sunset was excellent, but at the exit the weather was so-so (strong wind, intermittent precipitation and lack of visibility, but in Ecuador the weather changes every 15 minutes, you can't guess in advance and it's almost useless to look at forecasts). The guide called the weather a bad word, but decided to go anyway.

 We dressed warmly and went. On Chimborazo, first there are approaches to the slopes of the volcano along rocky ridges with elements of climbing, then several long snow-covered steep slopes with cracks (it seems that this will never end). Then the last steep part ends and it seems that here it is the top (marked with an inconspicuous rod), but this is only the second peak (6200 meters with something), and there is still an hour's journey to that cherished one along the next hard part, and there is no sign at the very top, nothing. Only snow on the rounded top!

To say that I would not have ascended without a guide is to say nothing! Edgar Parra understood everything and did everything to get me up. He carried all my heavy things, dressed and took off my mittens when I was no longer able to do it myself, said that I was walking very well when I was almost unable to move, smeared cream and gave tea, dragged me on a rope when I periodically fell into a semi-comatose state after 6000 M. On the other hand, if I didn't have such a goal and motivation to go to the top, then he alone would hardly have brought me there. That is, it was still a team effort - my desire and his experience.

When we were descending and I was impatient to get to the camp as soon as possible with shaking legs and hands, Edgar decided to show me another cool thing – via ferrata, which he and the guides from the local mountaineering federation punched. "Just show" did not work! He strapped me to it with a rigid safety harness and told me to get down. I realized that until I descend from this cliff in boots with cats on my arms and legs shaking after the mountain on iron brackets and a stream flowing down from above, there is no chance to reach home. What can you not do to just let them let you go!

Guide and manager of the 7 Summits Club Anastasia Kuznetsova reports from Ecuador:

News from Ecuador, climbing the Cayambe volcano. Hello everyone! Today, the culmination of the program is an assault on Ecuador's Cayambe volcano (5790 m), the only volcano with a glacier located on the equator line.

The day before, we arrived at the Olea Ruales shelter later than planned, but went to bed early. We decided to go out in two teams with an hour difference. As a result, everyone met about 4 hours after the start of the first team.

A lot of teams started from the shelter that night, there was not a single empty seat in it. As a result, somewhere in the middle of the route, team after team began to turn around due to avalanche danger. We stayed the longest, left the main route to the ridge, where the ascent is more difficult, but safer from the point of view of avalanches. We climbed up to 5400 m by dawn, 300 m remained to the top of the most difficult section - a steep glacier with open and closed cracks. The steep climb took more time and effort. We decided to stop, fix the altitude and start the descent back until the hot equatorial Ecuadorian sun melted the glacier like butter. For most of the team members, it was the first experience of such a height! Everyone is very impressed!

After the mountain, we moved to a hotel on the shore of the picturesque volcanic lake San Pablo in the area of the town of Otovalo.

Today there will be a farewell dinner and tomorrow departure to the airport and then who goes where. The guys are flying to the Galapogos to get acquainted with Ecuador in all its manifestations.

I'm going further along the rest of the volcanoes, there are 78 of them in Ecuador!  I will tell you the details in the next issues!

The news was written by Anastasia Kuznetsova, manager of the Ecuador direction. Photos and videos from the team's super-guide Boris Egorov. We are not saying goodbye!

Guide and manager of the 7 Summits Club Anastasia Kuznetsova reports from Ecuador:

Hola from Ecuador! Today we said goodbye to the beautiful hacienda La Cinega and its eucalyptus groves and headed closer to our main goal - Cayambe volcano. But, along the way, we will have another stop for the night in a beautiful place - the thermal springs of the Pappayakta Valley, originating from the Cayambe and Antisana volcanoes. Cascades of baths with mineral water of different temperatures in a blooming garden and views of volcanoes are very similar to a paradise where you want to stay longer.

On the way to Pappayakta, we wanted to taste a local delicacy - "kui" in one of the local "kui", but something stopped us, in the end we decided to abstain and have lunch at the hotel.

Tomorrow there are extensive plans - the birthday of one of the band members (the author and ideological inspirer of this trip) and moving to the shelter of the Kayamba volcano, from where the group will have to storm this key peak.

Guide and manager of the 7 Summits Club Anastasia Kuznetsova reports from Ecuador:

 In the morning, we left the capital of Ecuador - Quito early and moved towards Machachi (local Chamonix), where there are many volcanoes large and small around. Today, the plan was to continue acclimatization on the next volcano - Iliniza Norte (5127 m), with a height comparable to Ararat. We have to get to the refuge at 4800 m, spend the night there and go out on the mountain in the morning.

On the way to Iliniza, we stopped for rent and had lunch at one of the authentic Machachi restaurants, which turned out to be very useful before going to the shelter with a 900 m climb (the march from 3900 to 4800 m). On the way to the refuge, panoramas of the volcanoes of Cotopaxi, Antisana, Cayambe, Corazon (translated as heart) were opened. At sunset we reached the Nuevos Gortzontas shelter at 4800 m. For many members in the team, this is the first experience of a night in a mountain shelter and the first night at such an altitude.

We got up early in the morning to go to Iliniza. But, the weather did not please. A cloud hung over the mountain and all the slopes were wet and dusted with snow. We decided not to go to the top along the rocky route along the ridge, but to walk along the saddle in order to acclimatize better.

As soon as we left the refuge in the direction of the valley, the weather began to improve, the clouds dispersed, the sun came out and all the snow on the slopes instantly melted, as if nothing had happened.

 After a night at the refuge, we had lunch in a traditional Ecuadorian restaurant and rest in the ancient hacienda of La Cinega. The hacienda itself is a unique atmospheric place with a rich 400-year history. This estate has been owned from generation to generation by one family, starting from Marquis Mateo, that is, from 1695 to the present.

This estate has witnessed important events in the history of Ecuador, establishing itself as one of the oldest and noblest mansions in the country. Important people stayed here, including Alexander Humboldt, the founder of botanical geography.

And now our group is resting before moving on towards the Cayambe volcano.

Hola from Ecuador! How can you start the day so that you have enough energy for the whole day? For example, go to a yoga studio early in the morning. There, Master Santiago will quickly teach you how to do all the asanas deeply and correctly.

But, the main info-reason, of course, is not this one. The group finally reached the volcanoes and made their first acclimatization climb on the volcano Ruco Pichincha, which overhangs Quito with its slopes. For most of the members, this was the first high-altitude experience. Everyone did a great job! Although, for many it was not easy at all! We were very lucky with the weather! As soon as we got back down, a couple of minutes later a heavy downpour began.

On the way we saw parama (high Andean steppes), the famous "Ecuadorian Edelweiss", a lot of Andean rabbits and, of course, a bird on the top, which has already become a symbol of this place.

Tomorrow we leave Quito and go towards the next volcano Iliniza Norte.

 Guide and manager of the 7 Summits Club Anastasia Kuznetsova reports from Ecuador:

Today we continued our acquaintance with the capital of Ecuador - Quito, which means, of course, "the center of the world". And the name of the country Ecuador, as it is not difficult to guess, means "equator".

The morning began in the Gothic cathedral, on the Condor tower, from where you can see the whole of Quito and its symbol - the statue of the Virgin Mary with wings towering on top of the hill.

Then we got lost in the colonial streets and squares of Quito, looked into the Franciscan monastery, where an ancient brewery still exists and operates, got to a local festival, had lunch in a traditional restaurant overlooking the main square of the city. And at the end of the day we stood, of course, on the equator line with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and the other in the Southern Hemisphere.

Tomorrow we climb the mountains! Our first volcano is Ruco Pichincha.

Guide and manager of the 7 Summits Club Anastasia Kuznetsova reports from Ecuador:

Finally, the whole group is assembled and we begin our acquaintance with Ecuador with a visit to the cloud forest of Mindo. Cloud forest is a zone of equatorial rain forest stretched along the western slope of the Andes at an altitude of about 2000 m. Moisture evaporates over the Pacific Ocean, rises and settles in the form of thick clouds along the Andes ridge at about these heights. A dense blooming lush forest with lianas, bromeliads and tree ferns among the clouds looks mysterious and mysterious.

Mindo is the closest nature reserve to Quito with such a natural area.

There are many different activities for every taste. Someone rafts on a local mountain river, someone feeds a hummingbird with sweet nectar, someone watches butterflies and orchids.

We went hiking through the rain forest to a series of waterfalls, reaching the starting point on the local version of the cable car through the blooming valley.

The highlight of the day was a visit to a local farm where handmade chocolate is made from cocoa, which is grown right here. Already on the way we were knocked down by the magical rich aroma of freshly made hot chocolate. Then we participated in the process of making chocolate from the very beginning, from tasting fresh coffee beans, a bit like lychee. Next comes their fermentation in special trays under the open sky. In small farms, fermented grains are fried over a fire in a large cast-iron frying pan, fried grains are peeled and rubbed with a stone in a stone bowl. It turns out 100% cocoa bean paste without any additives.

Next, the paste is heated, various incredible additives are added and poured into molds for chocolate bars.

Of course, we didn't leave until we tried all kinds of pure 100% chocolate and chocolate with additives of lemongrass, mint, coffee, dry tropical fruits, orange, black pepper. The husk also goes into business. It makes a wonderful tonic drink.

In general, the day was a success!

Greetings from Ecuador! News from the team of Rustam and Ivan. On November 6, 2023, the guys climbed to the high-altitude camp of the highest peak of Ecuador - Chimborazo volcano (6310 m). Rustam reports that, unfortunately, he felt ill here because of altitude sickness. There was a fever, weakness, low oxygen. It looks like there are enough mountains this time.

The first signs of weakness appeared already at the entrances to Chimborazo, but despite this an attempt was made to climb. The night at the base camp showed everything. It was decided to turn around. Rustam writes that he is generally satisfied with the overall results of climbing the third peak of Ecuador, but it would not be a wise decision to take risks and move on. It was a difficult but rewarding experience.

 Now Rustam has safely descended from the mountain and is preparing to return home. The main conclusion is that it is necessary to concentrate only on the main goal - Chimborazo, without climbing other volcanoes. They really take a lot of energy.

We draw conclusions. Let's move on.

News from Ecuador. The team of Rustam and Ivan are going according to their plan. Before Chimborazo, the guys will have to climb first Kayamba volcano (5790 m), then rest and only then climb Chimborazo. It is very important to find that line and balance between good acclimatization and physical fatigue. It is very important that before the main peak you are well acclimatized and full of energy and strength to perform the main task.

The guys reached the top of Kayambe volcano (5790 m). Congratulations to Rustam on his achievement! According to Rustam, it was a powerful challenge and he felt better this time!

Now it is very important to rest, sleep and gain strength for Chimborazo! The preparation stage is over, we are nearing the key moment!

Meanwhile, while the Alexander-Franklin bunch acclimatize and practice under the icy rain on the slopes of the Kotopaxi volcano, the team of Rustam and Ivan, only about 20 km away, ascends the neighboring Ilinitsa Norte volcano (5126 m) in excellent weather conditions (sun and light clouds).

But, despite favorable weather conditions, according to Rustam, if an unprepared climber goes to this mountain, he will have an "adrenaline shock".

The guys "took a normal walk to the top", the whole day was full of ascents and descents. That was awesome! Everyone feels good! In the photo and video we can see that the Cotopaxi volcano is still erupting.

And after a successful ascent, of course, a well-deserved rest and recovery before the next peak!