100% On The Roof Of Africa!

August 8, 2015

: Kilimanjaro through the trees (Greg Vernovage)

: Kilimanjaro shadow at sunrise (Greg Vernovage)

Dustin called in from the summit of Kilimanjaro!Â â€œ100% on top.â€Â I donâ€™t know if there are better words to hearâ€¦

Actually, the word a few hours later from Dustin at Mweka Camp was that the team is all in camp and going to eat and a well-deserved sleep.Â Perfect weather, a great team that reached the summit together and will celebrate with their summit certificate.

Where better to celebrate?Â Back at the hotel as they get ready for the safari.

Nice job everyone!

Greg Vernovage

High Camp Today, Summit Tomorrow

August 7, 2015

Sunrise on Kilimanjaro (Greg Vernovage)

Dustin called in with a happy team from Barafu High Camp at 15,000 feet.Â The team had the best day of the climb today.Â A gorgeous sunrise and above the clouds all day.

The team is heading to bed early, they will all get up at 10:30 and head towards the summit.Â Dustin said that the team is really coming together and are all very strong right now.

â€œWe canâ€™t wait to get up and take a look at the top of Africa!â€

Go get it!

Greg Vernovage

Barranco Wall Scramble With A Side Of Fries

August 6, 2015

The Team’s view of Kilimanjaro today

The team had a nice day hiking together up to Karanga Camp at 13,000 feet.Â Dustin said the group moved well through the Barranco Wall section of the climb.Â This is a fun section of the climb.Â A little rock scrambling to get your heart rate up and then breaking out onto a wide area with great views.

The team pulled into camp for lunch and were surprised with fried chicken and French fries.Â Not a bad afternoon!

After the team rests a little bit, Dustin is going to pull them together and start talking about the summit day.

Nice job all around!

Greg Vernovage

Kili Team Cruised Into Barranco Camp Today

August 5, 2015

Descending to Barranco Camp.

Dustin called in from Barranco Camp at 13,000 feet.Â Today is the first big challenge for the team.Â The trek is gradually uphill most of the morning.Â The uphill is highlighted by a stop at the Lava Tower and then a nice coast into camp.

With their sights set on tomorrows objective, Dustin said that he will give an overview of the Barranco Wall.

The group is doing great and they are excited to see what is in front of them.Â They re getting ready for a summit attempt!

Greg Vernovage

Alps Team Enjoying The Mont Blanc Area

August 4, 2015

: Balcony of the Monchjoch Hut (Photo T. Sleeman)

: Climbing on the Monch (Photo T. Sleeman)

The Classic Alps program has been checking in periodically as they climb their way through the Alps. After climbing the Monch (see photos above) and departing Wengen, they moved on to Chamonix where the team set up at a local hotel for some serious climbing in and around the Mont Blanc Massif. Even though Mont Blanc itself is not climbable this season, there are endless classic routes to be done in the area. Â On August 3 the team climbed the Arete des Cosmiques ( Cosmiques Ridge), a fun introduction to alpine â€œmixedâ€ climbing. This route provides a mixed bag of rock, snow and ice climbing that ends up back on the balcony of the gondola station, the Aiguille du Midi. I hear the group is headingÂ off to Italy for a long rock rock climb tomorrow, so more details an hopefully photos to follow!

George Dunn

Kili Climbers Enjoying A Little Sun

August 4, 2015

Shira camp Kili coming out of the clouds.

Dustin checked in from a dry Shira Plateau on Kilimanjaro.Â The morning had us walking through a lot of mist which made things cool and damp.

Once the team broke out of the jungle and onto the Shira Plateau, the sun came out and Kilimanjaro was in full view! They pulled into camp around 2:30, had some tea and dried everything out.Â All in all a great day!

Tomorrow is an early wake up time and some great acclimatization.Â The lava tower and their first look at the Barranco Wall.

Greg Vernovage

Kili Team Tucked In At Machame Camp

August 3 ,2015

Machame Camp

The Kilimanjaro climbers had a nice day trekking through the jungle on their way to Machame Camp.

The weather prediction was for some light rain and Dustin confirmed the report.Â It rained a little but we were covered up by the jungle so it did not affect us.Â The team is getting tucked into Machame Camp and going to have some tea before dinner.

A little mist is not a bad thing for the first couple days, it keeps the dust down.Â The forecast is for a couple more days of overcast weather but nothing crazy.

All is well on Kilimanjaro!

Greg Vernovage

Kilimanjaro Team Arrives In Moshi

August 1, 2015

Things to Remember (Greg Vernovage)

Dustin just called to let us all know that the entire team has arrived in Moshi with all of their luggage.Â Arriving after a long flight with all of your gear is a nice feeling.Â Dustin met the team at the airport and gave them an update on the mountain and safari which he just completed.

They are off to a late dinner and good sleep.Â Tomorrow will be gear checks and the a tour around Moshi. The next group is in the starting gate!

Here we go!

Greg Vernovage

Bolivia Team Back In La Paz

July 31, 2015

: Huayna Glacier (Luke Reilly)

: Pequeno Alpamayo. (Luke Reilly)

: Huayna Summit Team

Luke and the team are back in La Paz after a climbing a couple great peaks.Â The weather has been great and snow conditions perfect.Â Pequeno Alpamayo and Huayna Potosi offer some great challenges, high altitude and endless views.

Looking at the photos Luke and Andy sent in, the gang looks psyched!Â Dinner tonight at one of the top restaurants in all of South America, Gustu.Â This team is finishing it off nicely!Â Well done everyone.

Greg Vernovage

That’s A Wrap In Russia

July 31, 2015

Teamâ€™s back in Moscow and had a great final dinner together after an afternoon of sightseeing.Â Kremlin and Red Square in the morning/afternoon and then the gang heads off in different directions late tomorrow afternoon.Â All is well in Russia.

Phil Ershler