Elbrus Team Acclimatizing Nicely

July 21, 2017

: Falling! (Mike Hamill)

: The team.

Time to move up the mountain.Â The crew spent yesterday on the lower slopes of Elbrus, further enhancing their acclimatization and getting in a little â€˜review timeâ€™.Â Weather has been the typical cloudy afternoons with clearing in the evening and morning.

Todayâ€™s their move day to the hut on Elbrus.Â Mike left us a note early today saying morning was very clear and that all were anxious to get up there.Â At about the 13,500â€™ level, the hut serves as a great place to get a couple of days sleep and exercise and a more serious altitude prior to their summit attempt.Â Tonight at the hut and tomorrow will be another hike with one more night at the hut.Â Then itâ€™s game day.

Weâ€™ll keep you posted.

Phil Ershler

It’s Bolivia Season

July 20, 2017

: Copacabana. (Roberto Gomez)

: The shores of Lake Titicaca. (Roberto Gomez)

Our first Bolivia Expedition of the summer is underway. We got word from Lead Guide Roberto Gomez that our first group has had a blast exploring La Paz, Lake Titicaca and Copacabana.Â While enjoying the tour of the area they’re also acclimatizing – Lake Titicaca & Copacabana both sit at about 12,500ft!

They’re now settled in for the evening in the Condoriri region near 14,000ft. Next stop is Condoriri Base Camp where they’ll continue to acclimatize and do a little training to brush up on their climbing fundamentals.

All smiles in Bolivia!

Tye Chapman

Ulaanbaatar –> Bayan-Ã–lgii

July 20, 2017

The summits of Mount Khuiten (14,350 ft) and Nairandal Peak (13,714 ft) are the “Triple Point” where China, Russia, Mongolia come together in the Altai Mountains.

Greg Vernovage called in this morning (his evening) to report he and his team arrived in Bayan-Ã–lgii without issue. The flight from Ulaanbaatar was just over 2 hours and the subsequent drive to Mt. Khuiten National Park was a bit long (6 hours) but generally pleasant. Along the drive over the rolling hills of far western Mongolia they saw golden eagles, yaks, horses, cows, goats, and of course camels. They arrived at Mt. Khuiten National Park with plenty of time to settle into camp and enjoy a nice dinner of fresh salad, chicken and rice.

Tomorrow they’ll load up the camels and head up to their official Base Camp which should take them about 5 hours. They’ll have a few stream crossings to contend with but it doesn’t sound like anything they can’t handle. A rest/acclimatization day follows.

All continues to go well in Mongolia.

Tye Chapman

Throat Singing In Ulaanbaatar

July 19, 2017

: Statue of Genghis Khan. (Greg Vernovage)

: Inside the Gandantegchinlen Monastery. (Greg Vernovage)

: Throat Singing. (Greg Vernovage)

: The team in front of the Genghis Khan. (Greg Vernovage)

We had a fun day in Ulaanbataar today.Â It started off with a visit and tour of theÂ Gandantegchinlen Monastery where a 26.5 meter high statue of one of the main deities stands.Â Very impressive.Â After the Monastery, we strolled through the main square where Mongolia won its independence through peaceful protests in 1990.Â At the end of the square is the Parliament building and a giant statue of Genghis Khan.Â We then went to the Mongolian History Museum but were slowed down by an afternoon downpour of rain which is quite rare according to our tour guide.

This evening, before dinner, we visited a local theater where we saw cultural dancing and music.Â Highlights included ancient musical instruments that sound fantastic, a contortionist that made us all hurt a little bit and left us in awe and of course, we heard some incredible throat singing.

We are up and out the door early tomorrow morning.Â The plan is to head to the airport at 4:45am and be the first in line for our flight to Bayan-Ã–lgii.

Put this place on your list of places to visit, it is great so far!

Greg Vernovage

Elbrus Day Adventures

July 19th, 2017

: Team Dinner in St. Petersburg

: Guide Mike Hamill enjoying his birthday in the Caucasus Mountains of Russia

Letâ€™s get everyone caught up with IMG Senior Guide, Â Mike Hamill, and team in the Caucasus mountains of Russia.Â Obviously, theyâ€™re there to climb Elbrus, first and foremost.Â However, an Elbrus trip needs more than just the summit to be a really great adventure.

The team met in St. Petersburg and spent their first two nights there.Â Remarkably, all members and all luggage arrived, more or less, at the same time.Â Thatâ€™s a good thing.Â A day and a half touring St. Petersburg is also a good thing.Â Would be a shame to travel that far and not get a taste of both St. Petersburg and of Moscow.Â A morning visit to St. Isaacâ€™s Cathedral was followed by an afternoon flight to Mineralnye Vody and about a 4 hr drive to the village of Terskol, in the Baksan Valley.Â Now itâ€™s a couple of days of acclimatization/training prior to going up onto the mountain itself.Â Then it will be more acclimatizing and more training before taking their summit shot.

Mike doesnâ€™t guide alone on Elbrus.Â He is joined by two great Russian friends/guides â€“ Igor Tsaruk and Sasha Sak.Â People like this make trips special.Â Check out their resumes here.

As we often say â€“ so far, so good.

Phil Ershler

Matterhorn Summit

July 19, 2017

The view from the summit of the Matterhorn. (Aaron Mainer)

IMG Guides Aaron Mainer, Andy Polloczek and Miles Smart report they summited the Matterhorn with their climbers yesterday. Looks like it was a beautiful day!

The team is back in town, resting today and well content with their success.

George Dunn

Chopicalqui Expedition Update

July 19, 2017

: Lunchtime! (Betsy Dain-Owens)

: Obligatory group photo. (Betsy Dain-Owens)

: Huascaran National Park sign. (Betsy Dain-Owens)

IMG lead guide Betsy Dain-Owens reports that the second training day out of Huaraz went well. Finally with the entire crew present! Here is what she had to say:

“For our 2nd hike, we headed up toward Laguna Ahuac, starting at approx 11,400ft and got to just under 14,000ft before it was time to turn around and meet our ride back to town. Approx 9km round trip. Didn’t quite make it to the lake, but got the time and elevation in on the trail that we needed. Next stop Pisco base camp!”

– Betsy

Chopicalqui Expedition Arrives In Huaraz

July 19, 2018

: Soaking it all in. (Betsy Dain-Owens)

: Most the the team. (Betsy Dain-Owens)

: Acclimatization hike in the Cordillera Negra. (Betsy Dain-Owens)

IMG Lead Guide Betsy Dain-Owens reports she greeted the team upon their arrival in Lima on July 16 with local guide Michel Henostroza and private van. All except for one member, who’s flight was delayed and will arrive a day late. No matter, Michel will wait for the delayed teammate and will travel with him to Huaraz.

The last team member arrived in time for dinner, and now the team is complete.

George Dunn

Huayhuash Trek Ends In Success

July 19, 2017

: A beautiful day on the trail. (Besty Dain-Owens)

: The group in front of Laguna Carhuacocha, with Siula Grande in the background. (Betsy Dain-Owens)

: Camp at Laguna Carhuacocha. (Betsy Dain-Owens)

: Enjoying the sunset outside the dining tent at Gashpapampa. (Betsy Dain-Owens)

IMG lead guide Betsy Dain-Owens reports that the Huayhuash Trek members were all escorted safely back to Lima for the end of their trek on July 16. All members of the team successfully completed the entire trek and two members were able to complete the optional ascent of Diablo Mudo with local guide Michel Henostroza, a 17,459 foot peak along the route.

The Huayhuash Trek is one of the great treks in the world, and our trekking crew brings back home with them memories to last a lifetime.

Betsy remains in Peru to head-up the Chopicalqui Expedition July 15-30!

George Dunn

IMG Is Officially In Mongolia

July 18, 2017

: Welcome to Mongolia (Greg Vernovage)

: Chinggis Khaan International Airport (Greg Vernovage)

: Genghis Khan Statue (Greg Vernovage)

: Welcome dinner in Ulaanbaatar. (Greg Vernovage)

Fellow guide Charlotte Austin, myself and all other members of the inaugural Mongolia/Mt. Khuiten Expedition arrived in Ulaanbaatar with their luggage!Â It never gets old to have everyone arrive with their gear at the beginning of an expedition like this.

After a few gear checks and a several naps, the Team kicked off the trip with a Welcome dinner.Â For many of the Team, it was a reunion from a number of different past IMG trips.Â A few met on the Dolpo Trek while others met during a Patagonia Trek.Â As we got together in the lobby before dinner I could instantly tell that this Team is going to have a ton of fun and enjoy everything about Mongolia.Â Dinner started off with a bowl of delicious pumpkin soup followed by beef skewers.Â A touch of wine ensured a good night sleep.Â We are all excited for the city tour tomorrow to learn more about the history of Ulaanbaatar. First impression of Ulaanbaatar is it is an old Soviet-era city that is undergoing changes to make it more modern.

We are off and running for our Mongolia trip!

Greg Vernovage

P.S. This program is in development. Stay tuned for details, links, etc.!