Updates From 4 Different Continents

Julyl 29, 2015

Machu Picchu Trek Back In Cusco
IMG guide Peter Anderson called in yesterday to report that the entire team was back in Cusco. Early in the morning the team rose for their last day at Machu Picchu. The majority of the team hiked up nearby Huayna Picchu Peak for a great view of the site, others chose to explore Machu Picchu and others stayed down in the town of Aguas Calientes to sightsee and rest. The team caught the train out of town mid-day and then were met by a private bus for transport back to the hotel in Cusco. The team had a celebration dinner last night and are on their way to Lima and eventually back home today. Congratulations all for a great and successful program! -George Dunn

Cordillera Blanca Trek Finishes Final Climb Of Urus
IMG guide Jason Edwards called today after safely returning from the team’s final summit climb of Urus. Urus is a little lower in elevation than Ishinca, but it had some steeper sections of ice/snow that made the climb equally challenging. Jason reports that all are healthy and resting this evening. They will hike out to the town of Juaraz tomorrow and spend a final day in town on Friday. Saturday they  start their journey back home. -George Dunn

Classic Alps Climb leaves Zermatt and heading to Wengen
The Alps program guides (Liz Smart, Forest McBrian and Aaron Mainer) report that all is well with their team. After a warmup day on the Riffelhorn, the team hiked in to climb the Weissmies on Tuesday, then back to the hotel in Zermatt for a climb up the Breithorn on Wednesday (today). After the climb they will travel by train to the town of Wengen (near Grindelwald) and will spend the night in a hotel there. Thursday (tomorrow) the team will have a relaxed morning in Wengen and then take an afternoon cable car ride up to the Monch Hut and a planned climb of the Monch the following day. Sounds like fun! -George Dunn

Dustin Checked In From The Serengeti
Wow, I don’t know where to begin. First, the flight to the Serengeti was amazing. We could see hippos and zebras as we were coming in for the landing. Then as soon as we landed we were off for game viewing in very comfortable extended Land Cruisers with a pop-tops. Within the first two hours we saw hundreds of gazelles, zebras, tons of elephants – including many calves, hundreds of African buffaloes, a pride of lions, giraffes, cheetahs – with 4 cubs, hyenas, a warthog, more hippos, many cool birds and I’m sure I’m missing several more!! Needless to say we couldn’t stop talking about all the wildlife. Really amazing. And all so soon after landing!

Oh but it didn’t stop there. Once we arrived at the Serengeti Wilderness Lodge we were blown away once again. ‘Glamping’ is an understatement! Besides the ‘tents’ being very luxurious, the food and staff are also amazing. Tomorrow morning after breakfast we are off for our morning game drive at 7:30. We are very excited for what we will see! We missed a leopard by about 10 minutes today so maybe tomorrow?? I’ll let you know what we see.  -Dustin Balderach

Bolivia Team At Huayna Potosi High Camp
Luke called in from High Camp on Huayna Potosi.   It was a nice hike to the High Camp Refugio on Huayna Potosi for the team today. The team will get moving by 3:30 am and walk uphill with the lights of El Alto off to their west.  As the sun comes up, the team will work through the bergschrund and look to the east and the jungle.  It is a welcome sunrise because the temperatures can be pretty cold at that elevation.  A couple more hours and they will be on top! – Greg Vernovage

Three Teams On Top Today
We had three team summits inside Mt. Rainier National Park today. One team summited Mt. Rainier via the Emmons Route, another summited Rainier via the DC Route and our third summit was as team over on Little Tahoma.  If you’re doing the math that’s 28 summits today! All teams are making their way out to the trailhead or to their respective camps. Tomorrow brings some sore legs and a guilt free cheeseburger. – Tye Chapman