Spaghetti At Camp 2 Tonight

January 31, 2013

En route to C2. (Photo Randy Christofferson)

Greg Vernovage checked in from Camp 2 on Aconcagua a few minutes ago (1pm PST). All is well. They’ve moved in for the night and are firing up the stoves for some hot drinks and eventually some spaghetti for dinner.

They’re sitting under some high clouds that are threatening a little precipitation, but the wind is light : “its’ pretty good for where we’re at in the world,”Â said Greg. “We’re most excited about the light winds, maybe we’ll get a good nights sleep tonight, well that’s what we’re hoping for at least”.

The plan right now is to carry to High Camp tomorrow, take a rest day on Saturday at c2, then move on up to High Camp on Super Bowl Sunday.

Tye Chapman

Nice Weather At Karanga Camp

January 31, 2013

Karanga Camp (Allison C. Schwartzman)

IMG guide Jenni Fogle reports that after a couple days of afternoon rain, the team had dry weather today for the spectacular hike over the Barranco Wall and below the glaciers.Â Now they are enjoying a beautiful evening at Karanga Camp (about 13,000 ft).Â The plan for tomorrow is to get an early start for the climb to Barafu Camp (about 15,000 ft) so the team will have all afternoon to snooze and rest, in preparation for the summit bid.Â Sounds like everyone is doing well.Â So far so good!

Eric Simonson

Lava Tower Highlights The Day For Kili Team

January 30, 2013

Barranco Camp

After a great day acclimatizing with a hike up to about 14,500â€™, the Kilimanjaro team has rolled into Barranco camp at 13,000â€™.Â Today they hiked from Shira camp and enjoyed a nice view of Lava Tower along the way.

They will be heading up the Barranco Wall in the morning.Â Not many more days and theyâ€™ll be on their summit push.

Keep up the good work team!

Eric Simonson

Aconcagua Teams Right On Schedule

January 30, 2013

Taking in the vistas along the way.

Greg checked in from Aconcagua this afternoon reporting all is well. They carried to C2 today withoutÂ issue.Â It got a little windy in the saddle, but that’s standard operating procedure on Aconcagua. They’ll move up tomorrow.

Lower down on the mountain is Mike Hamill and his team who had a good first day on the trail. They’re at the first trekking camp, Pampa de Llenas, en route to Base Camp. No issues to speak of.

Tye Chapman

Rainy Day Can’t Dampen Kili Climbers’ Spirits

January 29, 2013

Kili coming out of the clouds at Shira Camp.

Jenni called from Shira camp after a rainy hike today.Â In spite of the dampness, the team is doing well and in great spirits.Â When Jenni called, they were enjoying a beautiful sunset, which is a great way to end any day.Â The plan for tomorrow is for much drier weather and we hope that is certainly the case!

Clarissa Morford

Another Aconcagua Team On Deck

January 29, 2013

The Team Welcome Dinner.

Mike, Josh, Leandro and team checked in from Mendoza yesterday.Â Theyâ€™re all there, their gear is there and theyâ€™re ready to go.Â Penitentes today for final packing/prep and theyâ€™ll hit the trail tomorrow.Â All good.

Phil Ershler

Team Vernovage At C1

January 28, 2013

Camp 1 (Tye Chapman)

Greg called in from C1.Â Everyone did a good job on the move today and everyoneâ€™s at C1, at about 16,000 ft.Â Gregâ€™s climbing with our Argentine guide, Martin Lucero.Â This is trip #3 this season for Martin.Â Super guide and a work horse.Â Great to have partners like Martin climbing with us.

Weather looks dry through the rest of the week.Â Winds maybe picking up a bit into the weekend but hoping that doesnâ€™t last for long.Â Bottom line, for now, is that all is good with Greg, Martin and the crew.

Phil Ershler

2013 Prep For Rainier Dates Announced

January 28, 2013

Rainier Summit Crater (Photo by Andriy Strogan)

Itâ€™s that time of year again â€“ time to talk Rainier!Â Join IMG Guides at local REIâ€™s to glean some good information on what you need to know to climb the Northwest Icon.Â Training tips, route information, gear and more.

Mark your calendars now, space is limited.

Date	Time	REI	Presenter
Wednesday, February 06, 2013	7:00pm	Redmond	Dallas Glass
Monday, February 25, 2013	7:00pm	Olympia	Josh McDowell
Tuesday, March 05, 2013	7:00pm	Southcenter	Tye Chapman
Thursday, March 14, 2013	7:00pm	Seattle	George Dunn
Tuesday, March 26, 2013	7:00pm	Issaquah	George Dunn
Wednesday, March 27, 2013	7:00pm	Alderwood	Tye Chapman
Tuesday, April 16, 2013	7:00pm	Olympia	Ty Gimenez
Wednesday, April 17, 2013	7:00pm	Redmond	Dallas Glass

Kili Climbers Have A Good Day In The Forest

January 28, 2013

: Jan 26 Kili team ready to go (Jenni Fogle)

: The trees get smaller approaching timberline (Eric Simonson)

IMG guide Jenni Fogle reports that everything has gone smoothly for the late January Kili team.Â After a free day in Moshi to do some packing and get the lay of the land, today the team started the climb at the Machame Gate (about 6000 feet) and ascended to timberline at the Machame Camp (about 10,000 feet). Â The route is in the forest the whole way.Â They reported a little light rain in the afternoon, but Jenni says that it is now clear and dry up at camp and everyone is doing well.Â So far so good!

Eric Simonson

Safari Wraps Up Tomorrow At Ngorongoro Crater

January 25, 2013

Maasai boys at Ngorongoro. (Eric Simonson)

George and Jenni checked in to report that their safari has been going extremely well, and that they had now seen â€œevery animal in Africaâ€!Â Â Today the team visited the Maasai Village on the way to Ngorongoro Crater.

Tomorrow they finish it all up with the trip back to Arusha and their connecting flights home.

Eric Simonson