September 27, 2013 IMG guide Chris Meder sent this message:  “The group made good progress today arriving at Barafu just after noon.  The weather continues to be unsettled, with sleet turning to snow by the time we reached high camp.  Short clearings showed no accumulation on the upper mountain so we should be in pretty […]

September 26, 2013 IMG guide Chris Meder reports by sat phone that the Kili team had a nice day of hiking today, first climbing the Barranco wall, then traversing below the southern glaciers.  Now they have reached Karanga which is their camp for tonight.  This camp (like Barranco where they stayed last night) is at […]

September 25, 2013 From: Chris Meder Sent: Wednesday, September 25, 2013 7:17 AM To: Eric Simonson Subject: Acclimatization day to Lava Tower Eric, The team had another great day hiking from Shira camp up to Lava Tower, at almost 15,000 ft, and then back down to Barranco camp.  The weather was cool and windy and […]

September 24, 2013 The Shira Plateau extends west from “Kibo” (the actual volcano) and is our team’s goal for their second day on the trail.  Along the way the trees get smaller, then turn to the rocky shrubbry of the Plateau.  Today the weather was good and Chris reports that the team did well.  Now […]

September 23, 2013 IMG guide Chris Meder called on the sat phone from Machame Camp (about 10,000 ft) to report that they had a nice hike up through the forest today. After breakfast at the hotel in Moshi (about 2.500 ft) they loaded up the four wheel drive vehicles and headed up the slopes of […]

September 23, 2013 From: Chris Meder Sent: Sunday, September 22, 2013 10:06 PM To: Eric Simonson; Phil Ershler Subject: Second Kili team ready to go Eric and Phil, The team is all prepped and we’re headed out this morning.  Weather is cloudy and we’re hoping for no rain.  Everyone is psyched up for the climb […]

September 21, 2013 Chris shot us an email this morning to let us know they’re wrapping up the first September Kilimanjaro expedition.  Last day of game viewing was sweet.  Close up, full on, ringside seats to a cheetah chase, takedown and kill.  Only problem was those pesky lions.  Cheetah aren’t big and lion can steal […]

September 20, 2013 From: Chris Meder Sent: Friday, September 20, 2013 12:30 AM To: Phil Ershler Subject: Welcome to the Serengeti Phil, First day on safari in the Serengeti did not disappoint.  Lions,  check. Leopard with cub, yep.  Cheetah within spitting distance?  Giraffes?  Herd of buffalo?  Yes, yes and yes.  Not a bad way to […]

September 16, 2013 Received a call from Chris late last evening.  He was standing on the top of Kilimanjaro.  Conditions for the climb were great and the team did well.  NICE! This morning our time, evening his time, Chris called back from Mweka Camp at 10,000’.  Everyone’s down, fed and in bed.  A very successful […]