Huayhuash Peru Trek: Final Wrap-up

July 27, 2019

: Views from camp! (Betsy Dain-Owens)

: Outstanding views in the Huayhuash (Betsy Dain-Owens)

: Taking a break on the final day (Besty Dain-Owens)

: Tired but content (Betsy Dain-Owens)

Last weekend, our Huayhuash trek finished up their trek and made they way back home. Congrats to the trekkers for completingÂ the trek in such great style! It’s not only a spectacular experience, it’s a fun challenge that led the team over numerous passes over 15,000 feet during the course of their 10 days on the trek.

Again, well done to our 7 trekkers on this year’s trip!

We’ve set the dates for our 2020 trek: July 4-19, 2020. This trek is becoming one of our more popular treks, so early sign-up is recommended. We hope you can join us!

Jason Edwards

Pico Austria Summits in Bolivia!

July 27, 2019

Summit of Pico Austria looking at Pequeno Alpamayo (Greg Vernovage)

The Bolivia Team had a great day climbing Pico Austria today.Â IMG Guide Harry Hamlin said there was snow from Base Camp all the way to the summit but not enough to stop them from standing on top of Pico Austria (17,480â€™).Â This is not a technical climb but does a great job giving the team more of an opportunity to acclimatize. The team is now back at Base Camp and will head to the steep tongue of the glacier on Pequeno Alpamayo for training in the morning.

All is well in Bolivia!

Greg Vernovage

Diablo Mudo Climb

July 27, 2019

: Moderate rock section leading to summit of Diablo Mudo (Betsy Dain-Owens)

: Approaching the summit of Diablo Mudo (Betsy Dain-Owens)

: Happy climbers on the summit of Diablo Mudo (Betsty Dain-Owens)

: Descent of the peak, heading down to the next camp (Betsy Dain-Owens)

A couple of days before the end of our spectacular Huayhuash trek, a contingent of 4 trekkers and 3 of our guides climbed to theÂ inspiring summit of Diablo Mudo, standing at 17,805′. It’s a full traverse of the mountain, that includes an approach up one valley, some moderate rock scrambling, and then some rolling snow and ice slopes that lead to the pinnacle of the mountain. After some time enjoying the summit and taking a few pics, the team descended the mountain via a different route, following a different valley, and then reunited with the other trekkers at the next camp.

Congratulations to the climbers and guides!

Jason Edwards

Kili Team At Karanga Camp

July 27, 2019

On the top of the Barranco Wall (Phunuru Sherpa)

The IMG Kilimanjaro Team just wrapped up a fantastic day on their way to Karanga Camp. This is often the favorite part of the whole approach as the route climbs the famous Barranco Wall. The wall can appear intimidating for some when looking up from below, and it does require a bit of scrambling in places, but overall it’s a couple hours of pure fun.

: Climbing ‘the wall’ (Phunuru Sherpa)

: At Karanga Camp (Phunuru Sherpa)

The team will head to Barafu next where they’ll rest a bit and prep for their summit attempt.

Stay tuned!

Phil Ershler

The Puffin Boat Tour In Iceland

July 26, 2019

: Puffin Bird (Wikipedia)

The Iceland Team wrapped up a great trip with a Puffin Boat Tour today followed by a walk around town and last dinner in the city of Reykjavik.

: Puffin Birds on the rocks (Craig John)

: Foliage in Iceland (Craig John)

The team will have one last night in the city before heading home. Â This has been a great trip and we will look forward to getting back to Iceland again in the future!

Greg Vernovage

Pequeno Alpamayo Base Camp

July 26, 2019

: Condoriri also visible during the trek to Base Camp (Greg Vernovage)

: Llamas hauling gear to Base Camp (Greg Vernovage)

: First look at Pequeno Alpamayo (Greg Vernovage)

The Bolivia Team has moved up to Pequeno Alpamayo Base Camp (15,500â€™).Â Harry Hamlin checked in to let us know it is another perfect day in the Cordillera Real Mountain Range.Â The team is getting moved into their tents and will do some harness rigging and light training around Base Camp this afternoon.Â Tomorrow, the plan is to trek to the summit of Pico Austria and the following day, trekking to the tongue of the glacier for additional training.Â The weather forecast is in their favor and we will be looking forward to hearing about the views from on top of Pico Austria.

All is well in Bolivia!

Greg Vernovage

Elbrus team enjoys dinner in Moscow

July 26, 2019

: Waiting for flight to Moscow (Jonathan Schrock)

: Dinner in Moscow (Jonathan Schrock)

The team beat the rain and got down to Mineralnye Vody and out to Moscow. After getting checked into the hotel there, it was off for an afternoon of sightseeing and then dinner in town near Old Arbot Street. Fun day. They’ll have another morning of sightseeing tomorrow and then it’s time to start working their way home.

All good in Russia and Team 2 of the season is heading to St. Petersburg tomorrow. Â Jonathan and Igor will be waiting for them.

Phil Ershler

Kilimanjaro team reaches Barranco Camp

July 26, 2019

: Sunshine at Shira Camp (Phunuru Sherpa)

: Hiking towards Lava Tower (Phunuru Sherpa)

: Made it to Barranco (Phunuru Sherpa)

Another good day with a fit team and good weather.Â The hike from Shira to Baranco is a bit of a longer day but a good one, it goes up to the Lava Tower and then down to the camp itself. Karanga Camp is the objective for tomorrow and then it’s high camp.Â Team is checking the boxes and getting the job done.Â Keep it up!

Phil Ershler

Mongolia Team Returns To Ulaanbaatar

July 25, 2019

2019 Mongolia Team at Base Camp (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

The 2019 Mongolia team has now arrived back to Ulaanbaatar after a slight flight delay from Bayan Olgii.Â Some of the members will now take advantage of being in Mongolia by heading to the Gobi Desert for a few days while others will head home and celebrate their successes!

: Baby Yak in Mongolia (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

: Trekking near White River (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

: Trekking in the Altai Mountains (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

: Visiting a Ger family on the way to White River (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

This was a great trip!

Greg Vernovage

Shira Camp

July 25, 2019

: All is well at camp!

: The crew! (Phunuru Sherpa)

: All smiles for the Kili Team (Phunuru Sherpa)

Team is making good progress on Kilimanjaro.Â Strong folks and good weather makes for a sweet trip.Â Thatâ€™s correct —- Phunuru is already back in Africa and is taking another IMG team up Kilimanjaro.Â Everyone arrived on schedule (more or less) with all their gear (more or less) but all got sorted out and the team is already on their way.Â 12,500â€™ now and theyâ€™ll be camping at 13,000â€™ next at Baranco. The crew looks fairly happy.

Phil Ershler