More than two weeks ago I received an sms from my friend Monica, who was on the North side of Everest, saying: "Billi, the earth is shaking and I have a feeling that it is really bad in Nepal." I immediately went on the net and information…
This is just a brief note to say that I am fine and I was not in Kathmandu when the devastating earthquake hit Nepal. I have been able to contact some friends and as far as I know most of them are ok. My house is still standing…
It is 18th of April. Exactly one year ago today, I walked into Everest Base Camp already knowing that a huge avalanche had come down the West Shoulder of Everest killing more than a dozen Sherpas. I remember seeing the heli flying up and down the Khumbu Icefall retrieving the…
I have just come back from a fantastic 52km race connecting Kathmandu's two most important stupas (Buddhist monuments) via 'the long way'. Richard Bull, the race organiser and founder of Trail Running Nepal, thought it would be a good idea to take a huge detour and run from Swayambhunath,…
The time of year has come and mountaineers, Everest aspirants, trekkers, clients as well as expedition leaders, mountain guides and Sherpas are getting ready to hit the big hills of Nepal and Tibet for the spring season. I have seen that some of them have already descended on…
Here are just a few impressions from our wonderful trip to Iran. They should just show the diversity and cultural richness of this country and its people and give you an idea of what we were allowed to experience. No more words needed...
Dear all After just having been to Iran with my friend Gerlinde, I remembered that I never informed you about the English translation I did for the book she wrote together with Karin Steinbach called "Mountains in my heart". I spent the best part of 2013 working on the book…
Sadly, our time in Iran is coming to an end and the kindness and generosity of the people is certainly reflected in the size and weight of our bags. "I think we have just packed around 30kg of presents," Gerlinde said lifting her heavy bag off the scales.…
"Your presentations have changed our lives," Ms Laleh told Gerlinde and me after having done our slide shows at the Koohbanoo exhibition in Iran. "It has been such a pleasure to have you here and we are all very happy," she continued. But the pleasure is ours and both Gerlinde and I are very…
I seem to have written the word 'apologies' rather often lately but I have just noticed that I have not posted anything since I first got to Islamabad in early October this year. So there you go - apologies for being so quiet but then again I usually refrain…
It may sound strange to someone, who has never been to Pakistan, but it feels great to be back in Islamabad, where I have lived on and off previously. And even though I have only been back for less than one week, I already feel well-ensconced in my…
Time has flown since we left Shisha Pangma ABC exactly one week ago, and I cannot believe I am already en route to Islamabad, where I will be working for the Swiss Humanitarian Aid for one month. The events of the past two weeks seem almost blurred and…
Robot: You may have heard or seen news of an avalanche on Shishapangma on 24 September, which very sadly took several young lives. Billi just reported briefly from Zhangmu as she returns to Kathmandu, possibly today (30th). You'll have a much fuller report of the happenings The…
Back at ABC For a more detailed report in German, please visit www.kobler-partner.ch.After three windy nights on the mountain, we are back at the comfortable altitude of 5,700m at our ABC, which feels great. I don’t know why some people claim that Shisha Pangma is the easiest 8,000m-peak…
We just got back from C1 at 6,400m. Even though Sisha Pangma is considered one of the easiest 8,000m peaks the distances are very long. Compared to Makalu, where a trip to crampon point (the place where you usually put on your big boots and your crampons)…
Robot: Lots of snow and drifting snow on Shishapangma which is making climbing high difficult for everybody. It needs patience. The team including Billi have been staying at Camp 1, and depending on conditions will move to Camp 2 tomorrow for a night or two then return…
We are actually supposed to be at Shisha Pangma BC already but Sergey's gear did not arrive yesterday as scheduled. I guess this is the beauty about travelling in these countries as nothing ever goes to plan and improvising is required. Well i I guess it's also…
After our Air China plane had hobbled along the pothole-ridden runway of Kathmandu Tribuvhan airport, I was glad to be airborne and embark on my next adventure. I was travelling with Sergey Baranov from Russia, who was on Makalu with me this spring, and the two of…
After only 10 days back in Kathmandu I am in the process of packing again for Shisha Pangma - the 14th highest peak in the world, which is entirely situated in Tibet. It reaches out to 8,027 metres above sea-level and is the smallest of the 8,000m-peaks.…
I have been wanting to update my site for a long time, however, work and travels have prevented me from doing so and now I am already back in Kathmandu helping Miss Elizabeth Hawley and getting ready for my next adventure, which will be Shisha Pangma (8,027m)…
I have just paid a visit to Just-One, the organisation you so kindly supported through my Rome marathon, and the kids there all shouted a very big 'THANK YOU' for your help. Declan and I did the accounts and we came up with a total of 695,000…
Apologies for not updating my site earlier, but I needed a few days to physically and mentally arrive back in civilisation after having been in the mountains for 47 days - 42 of which I spent at Makalu Advanced Base Camp at an altitude of 5,700m with…
All good here...getting warmer and less windy by the day and we are looking at going to the summit around 25 or 26 May...meaning that we will leave ABC either on 21 or 22nd May. I am well, eating well, feeling strong apart from the lack of…
A short update via Billi's friend Elke: "Back at ABC, due to strong winds, waiting for another weather window". Billi's Twitter updates via her satelite phone are now on the homepage: https://www.billibierling.com/
Hello All, A small update to say that I am fine, 11th day at ABC but winds are promising to abate around 16th May - which could be a possible summit window. Life at ABC is fine, the weather is kind to us and we are sitting…
We are still at ABC, enjoying the sun in the morning and the warmth of the sleeping bag in the afternoon as it usually snows after 2pm. The team is good but getting a bit impatient and bored with sitting around at ABC. For me, the days…
Hi all, This is Billi's Robot. Billi just called from her satphone from camp 2 (6400m). She says all is well. The Sherpa team are fixing ropes to camp 3 now (7400m). If all goes to plan then they will ascend to camp 3 and sleep one…
This is just a brief update as I thought I should make the most of the Ncell 3G network in Namche before I head into internet-free terrain. I arrived in Namche on Saturday afternoon after having been incredibly lucky to catch a flight to Lukla. The weather…
I have been back in Kathmandu for exactly one week now and I literally have not had time to stop and realise that I am actually back in my colourful life in Nepal. As I arrived back here pretty late this season I had to dive straight…
I made it. And I made it in good time, or at least in a time that I was pleased with ( everything in life is relative)! I finished in 04.05.03 and even though I didn't manage to stay below the 4-hour-mark I am happy. In fact…
