August 26, 2014
Nido de Condor. High Camp on Illimani. (Luke Reilly)
Luke called in from high camp and all is well. The team had a good climb up the rock ridge to high camp on Illimani today. Everyone is feeling good and preparing for their summit attempt this evening. It was a breezy climb with the summit in a cloud all morning, Luke said, and as they pulled into High Camp, they had some light snow.
Illimani is no “gimme.” As much as any mountain in the world, this peak will not lay down and give itself up. The team is watching the weather and will be ready to go when the bell rings.
It will be a cool night and morning but the previous climbing has prepared them for a good climb.
On Illimani, we like to say “take it step by step and head for the sun.” As the team climbs, they will be in the shadow until the final summit ridge, then the sun will be on them and everything feels that much better.
Luke will be up early to keep an eye on the clouds and when they blow off, they will make their move.
Greg Vernovage