Mexico Team Summits Ixta

January 16, 2013

Dawn on summit of Ixta (Elizah McLaughlin)

Austin called in reporting great conditions for the team on their summit day of Ixta.Â They’re back at High Camp now and will take a quick break, pack up camp, before heading down to their vans which will take them straight to Puebla for the night. They should pull into Puebla just in time for a shower and nice group dinner. Tomorrow they’re off to Tlachichuca for lunch and then it’s onto the Piedre Grande hut where they’ll spend a short night… that’s right, they’ll climb early the next morning!

That’s all for now.

Tye Chapman

Mexico Team Heading For Ixta Summit Tomorrow

January 15, 2013

The upper mountain.

Austin just checked in from High Camp on Ixta, all continues to go well.Â They just finished up dinner (pasta, chorizo and peppers) and are heading to bed, the 1:00am wake-up call will come soon enough.

The weather has been great and looks reasonable for tomorrow. Austin estimates a 4-5 hour push to the summit.Â After returning to camp they’ll pack up and head down to their awaiting vans and then it’s straight to Puebla.

Oh, and Ann Sparks says hi.

Tye Chapman

Kilimanjaro Team Kicks Off The 2013 Season

January 15, 2013

: Our January Kili team in Moshi through an unfocused lens.

: Kili seen from the hotel roof in Moshi (Jenni Fogle)

IMG guides George Dunn and Jenni Fogle report that the IMG team have all made it to Moshi and are doing well.Â Today they did equipment checks, packed up their duffel bags and took a trip into town to look around and pay a visit the Kilimanjaro Porter Assistance Project office.Â Â George says the weather is good and everyone is all set to start their climb in the morning tomorrow.Â So far, so good!

Eric Simonson

Not A Cloud In The Sky

January 15, 2013

This much is true: we had a fantastic day on top of Antarctica!

It was unusually warm the night before we took off for the summit and I awoke to another unusual phenomenon at High Camp on Vinson – not a cloud in the sky and zero wind. This was an easy decision, we had to climb.

We loaded up all of our cold weather gear that is a must when climbing in Antarctica, down pants and down jacket with goggles in the pack, just in case.

: The Team getting on the plane (Greg Vernovage)

: Twin Otter flyby (Greg Vernovage)

: 2013 Summit Team Panorama. (Greg Vernovage)

: 2013 Summit (Greg Vernovage)

: Summit Ridge (Greg Vernovage)

With no worry of it getting dark, we left a little later than a few other teams and took our time heading up. Â Snow conditions on the route and summit ridge were perfect.Â It’s a great feeling when you hit that summit ridge; you know you’re climbing and aree so close to your goal that you can’t help but put one foot in front of the other….you can taste it!

On the summit itself, there was not a breathe of wind and the view was for as far as the earth will allow.Â Right as we pulled onto the summit we were greeted by a twin-otter flyby, so close that I could see the pilot snapping a few photos ofÂ the team. What a perfect day.

We obviously climb to get to the top, but the overall journey and the group I’m with make the trip. This one was no different – it was a great trip with fun people, what a way to ring in another New Year. Â This was my fourth New Years on the ice,Â and it’s hasn’t disappointed once!

Enjoy the photos, or better yet, take your own next year!

Greg Vernovage

Mexico Team Moving to High Camp

January 15, 2013

The team before Ixta.

Austin called yesterday afternoon after a successful carry up to high camp.Â The team enjoyed fantastic weather and an awesome sunset. The team is doing well. They plan to move up to high camp today and summit tomorrow.

All is well in Mexico.

Tye Chapman

Team Anderson Carries To C1

January 14, 2013

Camp 1 (Dale Funk)

1:50 pm – Peter Anderson checked in the IMG Base Camp at Plaza de Argentina.Â The team made a successful carry to Camp 1 earlier today.Â The weather was in good spirits today with mostly sunshine and dry skies.Â It only began to sleet when the crew was a half an hour from pulling back into Base Camp.Â This was a change from yesterday when the team endured some wild weather with heavy rain yesterday â€“ all this at over 13,000â€™!Â Theyâ€™re thankful for the dry weather today.

Clarissa Morford

More From South America

January 14, 2013

Plaza Argentina (Nick Hayward)

A few more check-ins to report this morning:

First up, Peter Anderson & team called the IMG office on Saturday from Plaza de Argentina to report that all is well.Â They had a great trek in to Base Camp, fueled by the traditional barbecued steak.Â Yesterday was the designated rest day, and the plan is to carry to Camp 1 today. We’ll be waiting to hear from them soon.

Mike Hamill checked in with the office this morning from Base Camp, where they arrived yesterday.Â The plan is to move up to Camp Canada tomorrow.Â The past 2 afternoons have been rainy, but the sun is peeking out today and looks like its going to stay for awhile.Â No issues, everyone is well.

Hut on Cotopaxi

And finally, Phil and the Ecuador team hiked a good 3000 vertical feet to Pasochoa yesterday, followed by a visit to Porvenir, a nice little hacienda at the foot of Cotopaxi.Â Perfect weather this morning, so they’ll head up to the hut on Cotopaxi for acclimatization and training, then back down to Porvenir tonight.Â So far so good.

Becky K

Weekend Update V.2

January 14, 2013

: The Mexico Volcanoes Team

: Not a bad view while acclimatizing.

Mexico
Hey Tye, we had a great hike up to the hut on Ixta today to about 13,000 ft.Â Â Fantastic (t-shirt)Â weather and views of Ixta and smoking Popo in the distance.Â Great,Â friendly group andÂ really fun. Next it’s showers, gear check, dinner, margaritas, then bed. Sounds like a good plan!! Back up to the hut tomorrow morning and then a gear carry to high camp. Hope all is well with you. -Dustin

Aconcagua
Ty called in from Plaza de Mulas, all continues to go well. It was raining pretty good today which forced them in their tents for awhile (nap time!). They bumped into Hamill and his crew who are also doing great. Ty and his team will be at the trailhead tomorrow afternoon – just an 18 mile hike left in front of them. Then it’s onto Mendoza tomorrow evening – likely a midnight arrival at the Nutibara Hotel.

Ecuador
No word yet from Phil today, but they’re off climbing Pasochoa today, a nice acclimatization hike.

Weekend Update V.1

January 12, 2013

Here’s a quick update on what’s going on in South America…

The Plaza de Mulas camp on the descent (Photo: Tye Chapman)

On Aconcagua, Ty Gimenez and his team tagged the top this morning! The weather held nicely and it didn’t snow until they had already rolled back into camp. Â 7 of 8 made the top, and an excellent effort by all. They’ll head downhill to Plaza de Mulas tomorrow and will hit the trailhead on Monday.

Mike Hamill and his private Aconcagua team were shooting for Confluencia Camp tonight. They’re heading up a different route which puts them at Plaza de Mulas tomorrow night. If you’re doing the math, they’ll be there the same night as Ty and his crew. It’s a pretty cool feeling to walk into camp knowing you have friends waiting for you.

On the other side of the mountain is Peter Anderson and his crew. They haven’t checked in, but no news is good news, so we’re sure they’re just plugging along en route to Base Camp.

Down in Punta Arenas, Chile is Greg and a couple of his Vinson climbers; they’ve officially wrapped up and are all en route home with their summit!

Up in Ecuador is Phil and his team. They enjoyed the market in Otavalo today and a nice dinner in Old Town. They’ll head out to Pasochoa tomorrow for an acclimatization hike. Â The weather has been good which makes everything easier.

And way up north (or south based on perspective) is Austin Shannon and Dustin Balderach and their Mexico Volcanoes team. They’re just getting settled in. Tomorrow they’ll load up and head out on their acclimatization hike near Ixta.

I think that covers all the bases…

Tye Chapman

Summit Day Tomorrow For Aconcagua Team

January 11, 2013

High Camp under a dusting of snow. (Photo by Nick Hayward)

Ty G. called in this morning to relay that the team made it to High Camp today without issue.Â There’s a little snow in the air and a little more forecasted tonight, but the winds are light. The plan is to wake up early tomorrow morning take a peak and likely give-it-a-go.

Ty will check in again tomorrow.

Tye Chapman