February 19, 2012
Aconcagua (Photo: Phil Ershler)
Mike called today saying they made the top and are almost back to high camp. Time for these horses to head for the barn. Congratulations. That means all IMG teams have reached the summit this season.
Phil Ershler
February 19, 2012
Tye sent some photos early this morning of some of those spectacular views he’s been talking about on the Patagonia Trek. No exaggeration there – take a look!
Becky Kjorvestad
February 18, 2012
Phil heard from the teams today, here’s whats happening...
Aconcagua
Mike, Luke, Leandro and crew are all at C3, high camp. The gang is feeling the altitude but all are there and hoping Sunday provides the weather needed to take a shot at the summit. It was a little snowy and blustery when the crew arrive at C3 on Saturday afternoon but Mike reported he could see blue sky above. They’re where they should be and will take a shot as soon as the mountain says go.
Patagonia
We heard from Tye and team on Saturday afternoon. I think these guys are just having way too much fun. About 5 hours hiking from the Refugio Cuernos brought them to Lake Pehoe and a catamaran ride across the lake. A short drive, passing the waterfall Salto Grande, en route and they’re now enjoying the luxuries of the Hotel Tyndall. Tye couldn’t quit talking about the views. Simply spectacular came out of his mouth on several occasions. Logo Grey is their next destination.
Phil Ershler
February 18, 2012
IMG climbers at Uhuru Point, the Roof of Africa! (Photo by Adam Angel)
Craig John called in from the summit of Kilimanjaro. Â 100% to the top. Â Nice work team! Â They will descend to their forest camp at 10,000′ and spend one more night on the mountain before wrapping this thing up. Â Tonight, we can almost guarantee one of the best night’s sleep they’ll ever have! Congratulations to the whole team.
February 17, 2012
Torres del Paine amanece
Incredible! – was the one word trip update from Tye Chapman and our Patagonia trek this afternoon. Views were out of this world. Up the French Valley today, maybe 15 km and about 9 hours round trip. Back at the Cuernos Refugio for a second night. Showers have been taken and the dinner call will come soon. I may have to go on this trek personally, and soon.
Phil Ershler
February 17, 2012
Craig John just called in from our high camp at Barafu on Kilimanjaro. They had a little snow this afternoon, but are moving into clearing weather. Everyone is doing well and settling in for a few hours of sleep before heading to the summit. Wake at 11, walk at 12, step onto the crater rim as the sun rises. Perfect.
Adam Angel
IMG climbers heading to our high camp at Barafu, Kilimanjaro. (Photo by Adam Angel)
February 16, 2012
One of the many breathtaking views enjoyed on the Patagonia Trek
Tye Chapman called in this morning from Patagonia. Nice weather today made for a sweet 5 hours on the trail. The word he kept using to describe the views was ‘awesome’. I got the feeling the team was having a reasonably good time! At the Refugio Cuernos today for the first of two nights. It’s pretty cool to see things going so smoothly and the group having so much fun on this inaugural Patagonia trek. We’ll hear more tomorrow.
Phil Ershler
February 16, 2012
Room with a view (Photo: Nick Hayward)
Mike Hamill and I just spoke via sat phone. He reported a good carry to C3 (high camp) was completed today and that the team is already back at C2 and looking forward to a rest day tomorrow.
Mike’s tentative plan is to rest on the 17th, move to high camp on the 18th and be in position to take a shot at the summit on the morning of the 19th. We’ve been checking forecasts for this weekend. No precipitation is forecasted for the next several days and winds look like they’ll be at their lowest ebb on the 19th. These are only forecasts but they certainly are favorable forecasts. Let’s see how it all unfolds.
For now, the team is healthy, carries have been made and they need one really nice day to get the job done.
Phil Ershler
February 16, 2012
IMG Guides Jenni Fogle and Luke Reilly recently headed to Ecuador to tackle some personal climbing objectives. They had a great time and checked off Carihuairazo, Cayambe and El Altar off their lists. Jenni is now back stateside while Luke is at Camp 2 with our final Aconcagua team of the season.
Below are some thoughts on how to keep your sanity, keep your friends and make a mean Chicken Salad.
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How To Make Chicken Salad Out Of Chicken S#@T
By Jenni Fogle
There is always climbing to be found when you are willing to seek it out. This often means traveling great distances, venturing into the unknown, and being willing to just get out there and see what happens. To quote my current climbing partner and fellow IMG Guide Luke Reilly, sometimes this means trying to make “chicken salad out of chicken S&%T.”
Main Ingredients to a great Chicken Salad:
1. Respect for your climbing partner – If you find yourself in Ecuador, for example, in a 12×12 space in which to organize all your gear for 16 days of climbing, attempt private phone conversations via skype, sleep and shower, mutual respect is a necessity.
2. Patience – Things don’t always go according to plan or schedule. It is better to have a rough plan with some primary objectives and ¨go with the flow.¨ The guide book may say 1.5 hours by bus, but that can mean 3 hours in South America. And just because you think it´s reasonable to head out with donkeys at 1:30 on a Sunday afternoon to get to base camp doesn’t mean the donkey driver will agree.
3. Sense of Humor – When you decide it´s better to carry your 70 lb. packs yourself rather than wait until Monday for the donkeys, then find yourself literally up to your knees in mud, in the rain, for HOURS, all you can do is laugh and know things will get better.
4. Perspective – After wallowing in the mud for a few hours, you may come upon a suitable campsite. It may be pretty damp and obviously a common spot of the donkeys and horses to ‘camp’ too, but the fact that you might be able to start a fire if you are REALLY persistent, are able take off your muddy boots and look at the stars, heck – it´s paradise.
5. Focus – When everything you have with you is wet, and the weather continues to be questionable, stay focused and get out there. Go as far as you safely can. Who knows, the weather might clear at the perfect time, giving you the 21 hours you need to get to the summit of El Altar, the most beautiful mountain in Ecuador (in the opinion of the Chicken Salad chefs).
Combine all the ingredients and you just might have the best chicken salad you’ve ever had – spectacular views, successful climbs of Carihuairazo, Cayambe and El Altar in just over 2 weeks, priceless memories, lots of laughs, and two backpacks full of muddy, damp gear.
February 16, 2012
Craig John called in this morning from Karanga to report that the team is doing great, and that the rain continues to hold off. So far so good. Tomorrow will be a short day to high camp at Barafu, and then it’s “game” time.
Adam Angel
Karanga Camp, Kilimanjaro. (Photo by Adam Angel)
