August 18, 2011
Greg Vernovage on the summit of Huayna Potosi
IMG guide Greg Vernovage reports that the climb went well today, with the entire group reaching the summit!
The route started from high camp with glacier travel, then some steep rolls, and finally a steep chute up to the ridge that leads to a fantastic summit (with a 3000 foot drop off down the west face at your feet!). Â The weather was good, and they had excellent views of Lake Titicaca, Illimani, and the surrounding peaks of the Condoriri group before heading back down to the high camp. Â Congrats to Greg, Â Alex, Mary, Derek, Bill, Ryoko, Viki, Deborah, and our Bolivian guides for a safe ascent and descent.
Greg says they left the high camp at 2:45am and reached the top at 8:00am, and were all back to the high camp by 11:45am.  After a rest, some lunch, and getting packed up, they are heading on down this afternoon to the Base Camp. We’ll plan to hear from them tomorrow after they get back to La Paz.
Two down, one to go (Illimani)!!
Eric Simonson