IMG Denali Teams 3 & 4 Fly Off

June 24th, 2023–

The view on a clear day at the helicopter strip.

IMGD Teams 3 and 4, led by Jonny and Forrest, respectively, have landed safe back into the world of warm showers and the smell of trees in Talkeetna, AK. The group is enjoying their last moments in Alaska together before they fly back to their respective homes.

IMGD Team 5, led by Rowan, plans to fly off the glacier in the next coming days turning around due to avalanche risks in recent storms. The team reports all is well as they make their descent towards home.

Kili Climbers reach Karanga Camp

June 24th, 2023–

Kilimanjaro from Karanga Camp (Eric Simonson)

It was another perfect weather day on the trail for our Kili climbers, as they continued their acclimatization with a nice hike from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp (again at about 13000 ft).Â The up and down traverse route took them first up the Barranco Wall, with a short steep place, where you need to â€œuse your handsâ€ for a move or two.Â Great views awaited the team at the top of the Wall, from where the trail winds along below the Southern Glaciers, to the Karanga Valley, which is the last water source (water for the Barafu Camp needs to be carried up from here).Â The actual Karanga campsite is on the east edge of the valley, with nice views of the Barafu Route on the right skyline.Â Tomorrow the team will get an early start and climb to Barafu Camp in the morning, so they will have all afternoon to relax and prepare for the summit climb!

Traversing to Karanga Camp (Phunuru)

The steep spot on the Barranco wall (Phunuru)

KIli Climbers reach Barranco Camp

June 24, 2023

Lava Tower Camp is the lunch spot and high point for the day resized (Phunuru)

Hanging out at Barranco Camp with the Breach Wall behind (Phunuru)

On the trail to Barranco Camp (Phunuru)

Phunuru reports another gorgeous day on Kilimanjaro.Â The team all did well, ascending to Lava Tower Camp (4600m / 15000 ft) where they enjoyed a hot lunch prepared by their cooks, before descending to the Barranco Camp at 13000 ft. Tomorrow the team will continue traversing around the south side of Kilimanjaro to Karanga Camp, again at about 13000 ft. This is perfect acclimatization â€”climb high and sleep low!

Eric Simonson

Kilimanjaro climbers making good progress

June 22, 2023

IMG Kili climbers take a break on their way to Shira Plateau

IMGâ€™s indefatigable Phunuru Sherpa reports that the June Kilimanjaro team members are all doing well.Â The weather has been excellent, despite some clouds (but no rain) down low.Â Yesterday the team trekked up through the forest to the Machame Camp at treeline.Â After a pleasant night there, today they emerged from the forest and climbed up to the Shira Plateau camp (about 12,500 ft). Now they are well into the â€œzone of weird plantsâ€ with the strange high altitude equatorial species like the groundsel and lobelia in abundance. Â Â From the Shira Plateau there are great views of Kilimanjaro and also Mt Meru, near Arusha.Â Â Tomorrow the team will head to the Barranco Camp.Â So far so good!

Eric Simonson

Early Season Success on Rainier

June 21, 2023

Emmons sunrise (adri yarkin)

Happy to report that we’ve been having one heck of a season on Mt. Rainier thus far! Almost all of our summit climbs have touched the top, including our 3.5 Day Disappointment Cleaver climb led by Stu Johnson that returned to Ashford today. We’re hopeful that the good weather and good route conditions hold through the summer, into the fall.

Audrey Simonson

IMGD Team 5 Continues Upward

June 21, 2023 – IMGD Team 5 led by Rowan Stewart continues to wait at 14 Camp in inclement weather, hoping for a weather window to make a summit attempt in the coming days.

IMGD Teams 3 and 4 led by Jonny Schrock and Forrest Baldwin are at Denali Base Camp awaiting clear weather to fly back to Talkeetna in the coming days.

All is well on Denali!

Looking out the plane (Drew O’Brien)

Kilimanjaro is off to a great start!

June 20, 2023–

The team enjoying town (Phunuru Sherpa)

Lead Guide Phunuru Sherpa called in and noted all is well with the team in Moshi. The team has been busy enjoying the sites of town, packing up, and gearing up to be ready to head towards the Machame Gate in the morning. The team will begin the climb through the forest to the Machame Camp near treeline at ~9600ft.

Stay tuned for more information about our Kilimanjaro Expedition. All is well!

The team enjoying dinner together (Phunuru Sherpa)

Denali Teams in Windy Weather

June 19, 2023 –

Climbers standing in the midst of a cloud on Denali (Ann)

IMG Denali Teams 3 and 4, led by Forrest Baldwin and Jonny Schrock, were both stymied by windy weather yesterday and turned during their summit attempt at 18,000ft. The teams have safely descended to 14 Camp and are in good health and spirits. The teams will rest and descend to the Kahiltna airstrip in the coming days.

IMG Denali Team 5, led by Rowan Stewart, remains at 14 Camp awaiting good weather to ascend to High Camp at 17,000ft for a summit bid on the highest peak in North America.

All is well on Denali!

Teams 3 and 4 at 17K Camp

June 17, 2023

Heading down around Washburn’s Thumb with big loads. (Photo by Michael Bellamy)

IMGD Teams 3 and 4, led by Jonny and Forrest, have made their final bump to 17K camp. From here all the team needs now is a compatible weather window before they push up to the top.

IMGD Team 5 led by Rowan is making their final carry and cache to the top of the fixed lines. This team will be making their move to 17K camp tomorrow, and will just be on the heels of Jonny and Forrest’s teams.

Audrey Simonson

Denali teams ready to move

June 16. 2023

17 Camp with Denali Pass behind (Eric Simonson)

Jonny and Forrest’s teams successfully cached gear at the top of the fixed lines yesterday and returned to 14K camp. Today their teams are resting and prepping for their move up to 17K camp tomorrow if the weather and conditions cooperate.

Rowan and the rest of Team 5 are taking another rest day at 14K camp. Tomorrow the team will carry gear to 16,200′ to cache and return to 14K before a move slated for Sunday.

Audrey Simonson