Manaslu update

September 20, 2024

: Manaslu Basecamp (Phunuru)

: Camp 1 (Phunuru)

: Getting the oxygen gear set for summit bids (Phunuru)

Phunuru reports that since the fixing team reached the Manaslu summit, there have been a number of ascents over the last couple days. Meanwhile our climbers enjoyed three days of rest and preparation at Base Camp after their acclimatization rotation to Camp 3. This included getting their oxygen gear all set, and doing as much eating and sleeping as possible to get their gas tanks topped up for the big event! Their plan is to depart in the morning for Camp 1, then move to Camp 3, then to 4 and then hopefully to the top on the 24^th. We’ll keep you posted on how they are doing over the next several days!

Kili climbers reach Shira Plateau camp

September 19, 2024

: Machame Camp (Max Bond)

: Trekking up through the giant heather bushes to Shira Plateau (Max Bond)

: On the way to Shira Camp (Max Bond)

: The whole group at Shira Camp 12,500′ (Max Bond)

Max Bond reports the team had another beautiful day for their climb from Machame Camp up to the Shira Plateau (about 12,500ft). This expansive flat area extends to the west of Kilimanjaro and is actually the remnant of one of the ancient volcanos (as is the peak of Mawenzi to the east of Kili) that comprise the Kilimanjaro massif. Departing the forest zone immediately above Machame Camp the team ascended into a forest of giant heather bushes. Higher up they hit the first of the giant groundsel and lobelia plants that are only found at high altitudes near the equator. Now the entire team (climbers, guides, porters, cooks, camp staff, etc) are all together at the Shira Camp.

IMG climbers back to Base Camp; Fixing team reaches the summit

September 18th, 2024

Manaslu from near Base Camp (Phunuru)

Good news, from Manaslu! Phunuru reports that the IMG climbers have descended safely to Base Camp after their acclimatization rotation. Yesterday the team tagged Camp 3, before dropping down. Well done, team! Today six members of the sherpa fixing team reached the summit of Manaslu, so now the door is open for summit bids. Our climbers will take a few well-deserved days of rest, before heading back up.

September Kilimanjaro climbers are on their way

September 18, 2024

: Getting ready to hike at Machame Gate (Max Bond)

: Heading up into the forest from Machame Gate (Eric Simonson)

: Blue Monkey in a tree (Max Bond)

: The team at Machame Camp (Max Bond)

Max Bond checked in from Machame Camp to report that the team had a good first day on the trail. They departed the Hotel at 8am and drove up through the coffee, tea, and banana farms on the slopes of Kilimanjaro to the Machame village and Park entrance. While the team was checking in with the rangers and showing their permits, their Chagga guides Clemence and Mosses organized the porters with the loads which are checked by the rangers to ensure they are not too heavy. Then, it was a nice hike up through the forests of the lower slope of the mountain with good weather and some monkees along the way. The Machame Camp at about 9500ft is near to timberline, with a peekaboo view of the mountain through the trees. Everything is off to a good start and the team are doing well.

September Kilimanjaro team is ready to go!

September 17th, 2024

: The September Kili team in Moshi (Max Bond)

: Baskets and machetes at the market (Max Bond)

: At the market in Moshi (Max Bond)

: Kili team all together at the hotel (Max Bond)

IMG leader Max Bond reports from Moshi Tanzania that the Kilimanjaro team members have all arrived on schedule with their luggage. Yay! The team completed their gear checks this morning, then headed into Moshi town to check out the local scene.

After a tour of the town center with a visit to the local market and some shopping, it was back to the hotel for the final packing and weighing of the duffel bags, in preparation for the start of the climb in the morning. Everyone is doing well and are looking forward to hitting the trail tomorrow!

Manaslu Climbers reach Camp 2

: Camp 2 on Manaslu (Max Bond)

: Looking up from Camp 2 (Max Bond)

: Icefall below Camp 2 (Max Bond)

Sept 16, 2024 – Ang Jangbu reports that the team had a good climb up to Camp 2 (about 6400m; 21,000ft) today. The weather was clear above Camp 1 but all clouded in and wet below. The team did well and they were able to reach Camp 2 in about 4 hours, and will spend the night there. Depending on how everyone feels tomorrow, they will stay up for a second night or drop back to Base Camp. Tomorrow the IMG sherpas will be carrying a load of oxygen up to Camp 3. Meanwhile, the fixing sherpas are planning to fix above Camp 3 tomorrow.

Guides Take on the 3rd Annual Mt. Baker Clean Up!

September 15, 2024

Guides working together to pick up waste (Max Bond)

Max Bond and Brooke Auvil at Baker Clean Up (Max Bond)

Misty Morning on the North Side of Mt. Baker (Max Bond)

On Friday, IMG Guides Max Bond and Brooke Auvil headed up the the North Side of Mt. Baker for the 3rd Annual Guide Service Mt. Baker Clean Up. They teamed up with guides from several different guide services that also actively use Mt. Baker during the summer season to pick up garbage, human waste, and anything else that climbers have left that is not apart of the natural habitat.

The team reported that the two most common things they picked up were human waste (about 30 blue bags worth) and several sleeping bags and tents that had blown away off on to the glacier!

Thank you to all who organized, the US Forest Service for providing PPE, and to the guides who love giving back to these areas as much as we do!

Manaslu Climbers at Camp 1

September 15, 2024

: On the way to Camp 1 (Max Bond)

: On the way to Camp 1 (Phunuru Sherpa)

: Camp 1 on Manaslu (Phunuru Sherpa)

Phunuru reports that the weather was excellent today, enabling the team to climb up to 5900m for acclimatization, before returning to Camp 1 for a second night. Meanwhile, Chhiring and Mingma took loads up to Camp 2 today and dropped back to Camp 1. Tomorrow the plan is to move to Camp 2 for a couple nights up there. So far so good!

Manaslu Puja and Camp 1

September 14, 2024

: The whole team with the Lama (Phunuru)

: At the puja (Phunuru)

: Puja alter at Manaslu BC (Phunuru)

Phunuru reports that the Sherpas and members had their team puja this morning with the local Lama for good luck, before an early lunch and starting their first acclimatization rotation. The weather cleared up in the afternoon and Phunuru, Ang Karma and the climbers headed up Camp 1, taking about 4 hours to get there. Their plan is to spend two nights at C1 and then move up to C2 and spend a couple nights up there. Chhiring and Mingma Sona will come up to Camp 1 tomorrow, with the goal to get some loads pushed up to Camp 2 to support the team up there.

Manaslu Climbers enjoying Base Camp

September 12, 2024

Front row seats at Manaslu Base Camp (Phunuru)

Phunuru reports that our team is doing well and have been enjoying the Base Camp as they acclimatize to the 15,750 foot elevation. They are staying active with some climbing practice and hiking in preparation for their first trip up to Camp 1 (about 19,000 ft). So far so good!