Chris Checks In From Aguas Calientes

From: Chris Meder
Sent: Friday, May 10, 2013 2:31 PM
To: George Dunn
Subject: Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes

Hi George,

The team went four for four today with stellar weather for our completion of the Inca Trail and tour of Machu Picchu.Â Just a perfect day.Â We arrived at the Sun Gate as the sun was just casting its first rays on the site, enjoyed the view for a while, and then took a full tour of the ruins with our local guide Juan explaining all the details.Â Here’s a photo of the group.

We’re now in Aguas Calientes, showered and had a late lunch.Â The group is now checking out the town and doing a little shopping.Â Tomorrow it’s up early again for a return to Machu Picchu and a challenging hike up Wayna Picchu for another great view of the area.

Chris

Trekkers In Striking Distance To Machu Picchu

May 9, 2013

Chris Meder called in from the Inca Trail. The team is continuing to do a terrific job on the trail, and the weather is great. They Â are camping at at WiÃ±ay Wayna tonight, very close to Machu Picchu and will hike down through the gate early in the morning to catch the sunrise. Chris says it was a spectacular day of scenery today and the group couldnâ€™t have done better. Tomorrowâ€¦. Machu Picchu!

George Dunn

On The Trail To Machu Picchu

May 7, 2013

The hiking begins

IMG guide Chris Meder called in this evening by sat phone.Â He says all is well and the group had a straight forward first hiking day today. The weather was good and the scenery excellent. All of the team is walking well and feeling good and they are having a great time.

George Dunn

Guide Training And A Birthday Party

May 7, 2013

: Emily Johnston celebrates with a very special Princess cake! (photo by Tye Chapman)

: Spring Guide Training (photo by George Dunn)

Every spring all the guides who are not on expeditions around the world gather in the booming metropolis of Ashford, WA for our annual Guide Training weekend.Â We shake out the cobwebs and refocus our energies on Mt. Rainier. Day 1 usually consists of some updates on procedures, protocols, etc. and culminates with a BBQ. Day 2 is up on Mt. Rainier refreshing on some fundamentals and tweaking some skills based on new gear or industry standards.

This past Saturday and Sunday were no different – except for the absolutely phenomenal weather and it being IMG Guide and resident ER Doc, Emily Johnston’s birthday.

Good times had by all!

Tye Chapman

Machu Picchu Trekkers Enjoying The Markets

May 6, 2013

The Market of Pisac (Tye Chapman)

IMG guide Chris Meder called to check in at 4:30 pm PDT on Monday May 6. The group arrived at their hotel in the Sacred Valley an hour ago. They are settling in and preparing for dinner shortly.

They had a full day sightseeing today, and are preparing for an early departure from the hotel tomorrow morning for the start of the trek. Tomorrow will be a full day of walking in which the team will cover about 8 miles.

George Dunn

Machu Picchu Trekkers Check In

May 5, 4:50pm PDT

Machu Picchu Team Photo (Chris Meder)

IMG guide Chris Meder checked in from Cusco on a private Machu Picchu trek. Here’s what he had to say:

“The group has all arrived in Cusco in great shape with all bags.Â We spent the afternoon touring some of the sites in town and had a nice lunch al fresco (photo). A big dinner is on tap next.”

Today the group will tour the Sacred Valley with visits of archaeological sites and the famous Pisak Market.

George Dunn

Denali Prep Seminar Training Today

May 2, 2013

Team in the Cathedral Gap yesterday. (Austin Shannon)

Austin called in yesterday afternoon with a no-go report on the snow conditions on the upper mountain. They poked around but given the conditions and the warming trend in the weather they opted to hang tight last night and not climb.

Tough call but when the mountain tells you no, it’s best to listen.

Today they worked on some fixed lines, learned about anchor building, and dug a snow cave. Not a bad alternative!

Tye Chapman

Denali Prep Team Checking Things Out

May 1, 2013

Camp Muir Panorama May 1, 2013 (Austin Shannon)

IMG Guide Austin Shannon called in from Camp Muir this morning to report great conditions – cold and clear.

After a long day on the snowfield yesterday they’ll take it relatively easy today. Their plan today is to head up to the flats for an exploratory mission to scope things out. Once they’ve had a chance to evaluate the terrain they’ll head back to Camp Muir for the night to determine their next steps.

That’s all for now…

Tye Chapman

Denali Prep Seminar Getting Ready

April 27, 2013

The all important gear check!

Our last Denali Prep Seminar of the winter checked into day.Â Their first objective is to go through their gear and hopefully lighten up a little.Â After a thorough checking of their personal gear they’ll jump into the group gear (tents, food, stoves, fuel, shovels, etc.) eventually dividing up the loads between their packs and the sleds.

Tomorrow, they’ll hop in the vans and drive up to Paradise and onto Camp 1, near Panorama Point. It’s not a huge day but an important one. They’ll spend a good amount of time tomorrow afternoon learning how to set up a Denali style camp. From there, they’ll make their way up the mountain as the weather allows with their next big objective being Camp Muir.

The forecast calls for cold and wet for the next couple days but it should trend better later in the week.

Tye Chapman

The Mountain Is Out

April 24, 2013

If you’ve spent any time in the Puget Sound area you know that the day can often be defined by if Mt. Rainier is out or not… Well, everybody in the area is thrilled today – she’s out and in great form.

Our advice: Mental Health 1/2 day! Get outside and go play.

Rainier Webcam. (Source: Mt. Rainier National Park)

Tye Chapman