May 21, 2015
The view (photo: Tom Allred)
IMG lead guide Erica Engle has been checking in at IMG headquarters to keep us updated. Here’s the low-down:
May 19: The team had a big first day on the mountain. The entire team carried from the landing site to 9,500 and made a cache of gear there. The day was long and arduous due to the snow conditions, a surface crust that broke through occasionally to knee depth even with snowshoes on. This is mostly due to warmer than expected conditions, with a daily freeze/thaw cycle down low on the mountain. It should be better up above the freezing level (hovering currently at 9,000 feet).
May 20: Better day today! The team got an early start for better snow conditions and moved up to a camp site at 10,300 feet. They established a good camp and are all set at the new location. Tomorrow they will descend to the cache at 9,500 feet and pick up the rest of the gear left there. The remainder of the day will be a rest day for all.
The weather remains clear and warm. Good conditions are predicted to last through Friday, with no major storms expected. All systems are go.
George Dunn