All Well in the Southern Hemisphere

January 14, 2018

Let’s get caught up with the comings and goings for IMG teams in the Southern Hemisphere. Report from Emily and Romulo in Ecuador was — close but no cigar. Great morning for climbing but just couldn’t find a way around, over or through the schrund right below the summit of Antisana. Team had a super day on the mountain but just couldn’t quite ring the bell. That’s always a bummer, but I think the amount of fun this team is having makes up for that last couple of hundred feet. Chimborazo is next on their agenda.

On the way to Vinson C1 (Emily Johnston)

In Antarctica, Greg, Luke and team established Camp 1 on Vinson without problems and are now working on their carry and move to high camp, C2. There’ll be at least one rest day thrown in there somewhere. We try to stick one in after the carry to high camp and before moving up. Once we get to high camp, it’s game day. As soon as the mountain provides a weather opening, the team will take their summit shot. Not quite yet but won’t be long.

Nickel, Rikki, Martin and team have made consistent progress down on Aconcagua. We always take a rest day after reaching base camp. A little time is needed to pack for the upper mountain, and 13,600’ is a great place to get a bit more acclimatization. Plus, Grajales Expeditions, our service provider for the last 30 plus years, is feeding them too much good food.

Regardless, their first carry with heavier packs is today, as they head towards C1 at just over 16,000’. Always a big test to see how they’re doing.

One step and one day at a time.

Phil Ershler