July 25, 2019
Mount Everest from the Summit of Lhotse (Phunuru Sherpa)
There are only 6 days left to take advantage of our Early Decision Discount for this Springs EBC Trek, Lobuche Climb and Mount Everest and Lhotse Climbs! If you are still thinking about this Spring, get in touch with us now to take advantage of the early decision discount that ends July 31st.
Greg Vernovage
July 25, 2019
Full moon over Huayna Potosi (Greg Vernovage)
The team said goodbye to the shores of Lake Titicaca this morning and made their way to the first camp at the foot of the Cordillera Real Mountain Range. Tambo Condoriri (14,000’) is the first camp on the way to the climb of Pequeno Alpamayo (17,482’). This camp is just short of the trailhead and is a good place to continue acclimatizing. It is also a beautiful camp located in a large field with the west face of Huayna Potosi as the backdrop.
Our local guide, Roberto, has also joined the team and given an update on snow conditions. The mountains have a fresh blanket of snow on them which will make the climbing conditions even better. It is a clear day and the team will take a short hike to stretch their legs and acclimatize before dinner and bed. Tomorrow, the team will pack up and trek to Base Camp (15,500’) and prepare to climb Pequeno Alpamayo.
All is well in Bolivia!
Greg Vernovage
July 25, 2019
IMG Senior Guide Craig John sent more great photos from the Iceland Team’s final day on the trail. The team departed the Fimmvörðuhál Hut and traveled along the Skoa River. There are over 20 significant waterfalls on the descent to Skogar and judging from the photos, all waterfalls are beautiful and different. After lunch and a celebratory drink at Skogar, the team headed back to Reykjavik to prepare for one last adventure. The Puffin Boat Tour is on the schedule for tomorrow!
Great trekking in Iceland!
Greg Vernovage
7/24/2019
Lake Titicaca at Sunset (Harry Hamlin)
IMG Senior Guide Harry Hamlin checked in from Copacabana in Bolivia. The team was all set to head over to Sun Island (Isla del Sol) but the windy conditions caused them to wait for a few hours before boarding the boat that would take them. After taking a short hike and allowing the winds to subside, the team made it on the boat and over to the island for a beautiful trek to nearly 14,000ft.
After a nice trek and tour of the island, the team headed back to Copacabana for the afternoon to visit the local shops and prepare for dinner and the trip out to Tambo Condoriri tomorrow morning.
All is well in Bolivia!
Greg Vernovage
July 24, 2019
2019 Mongolia Team with Khuiten, Nairandal and Malchin (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)
We received a great phone call from IMG Senior Guide Ang Jangbu Sherpa this morning. The team has returned to Bayan Olgii and had a great dinner with a local family along with traditional music. After checking into the hotel in Bayan Olgii, everyone took a well deserved shower. Jangbu also managed to send a ton of great photos from the climbs of Mount Khuiten, Peak Nairandal, Mount Malchin, the trek to the Russian border and the trek down to the White River Park Entrance. So many great photos of this trip! We will share a number of photos now and will follow up with more tomorrow as the team makes their way back to Ulaanbaatar for the celebratory dinner.
All is great in Mongolia!
Greg Vernovage
July 24, 2019
Looking down on the Lava Field (Craig John)
A little rain did not stop the IMG team from doing some exploring yesterday afternoon. The team made their way to the Thorsmork area where they visited the Songhelir Cave, the Stakkholtsgja Canyon and climbed Valahnukur. That was yesterday afternoon before dinner!
Today, IMG Senior Guide Craig John checked in to let us know that they may not have coverage good enough to get photos out and that they are heading to the last hut of the trek. During the trek, CJ managed to sneak out a few photos from another great day of trekking. The team set out early today, starting their trek by hiking up to the Fimmvörðuhál pass between the Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers. As they trekked, they stopped at a new crater and lava field formed in 2010. From the new formations, they trekked through a high pass between the two big glaciers.
What an incredible trek this is in Iceland!
Greg Vernovage
July 24, 2019
Riding a horse is easier than walking (Jonathan Schrock)
Elbrus team is wrapping up their time in Terskol after their successful ascent of Elbrus. A little sightseeing, a few nice meals, some hiking, Russian sauna and even a bit of horseback riding. Moscow is next on the agenda.
It’s been raining a lot in the Baksan Valley so we’re hoping there’s no problems with the road when it’s time to head for the airport. So far, all is good.
Phil Ershler
July 23, 2019
Copacabana (Harry Hamlin)
IMG Senor Guide Harry Hamlin checked in from the shores of Lake Titicaca to let us know the team had a nice day traveling to Copacabana. Departing La Paz, the drive goes back up hill to El Alto where they negotiate a little traffic before everything opens up on the Altiplano. To the left is the beautiful Cordillera Real Mountain Range. This range is the home of all the mountains the team will climb during the trip. A little further down the road, the team begins to see the beginning of Lake Titicaca and the many acres of reeds that line the shore. These reeds are famous for boats that are used by the Indians that inhabit the area. At a small village named Tiquina, the team gets out of the vehicle and takes a small boat to the other side of the water passage. The van takes a vehicle ferry. Once on the other side, it is a short drive up and over the hill to Copacabana.
The afternoon is spent visiting the beautiful church as well as hiking to the Indian ruins on the hill and then up to Cerro Calvario to take in the sunset. Tomorrow, the team will be up early to catch the boat over to Sun Island for an acclimatization hike and picnic on the shore.
Don’t fall in Lake Titicaca!
Greg Vernovage
July 23, 2019
On the trail to the Básar Hut (Craig John)
Craig John sent some photos and a quick note to let us know the team is doing great and the trek to the Básar hut is beautiful. The team spent time trekking near a very beautiful but interesting looking Mount Einhurningur. After admiring the mountain, the team headed towards a birch forest in the Thorsmork Valley which sits right near the Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers. After stopping in at the hut, CJ and the team hustled back out the door to get better views on a nearby hill of the Eyjafjallajökull glacier.
All is well in Iceland!
Greg Vernovage
July 23, 2019
Charlotte with Camels and drivers (Charlotte Austin)
Ang Jangbu called in a report just after the team departed base camp heading downhill to the White River Park Entrance. When the weather holds, teams need to find something to do during the contingency day. Jangbu and the team took advantage of the contingency day by trekking to the Russian border and then climbing Mount Malchin. The team then returned to base camp where the cook staff prepared an incredible dinner and celebration cake. We have a great cook staff in Mongolia.
Up early, the team said goodbye to the Mongolian guide team and began the trek down White River. This is a beautiful trek spent following the river downhill, occasionally meeting a nomadic family grazing their animals and working around the Ger (yurt). Our local guide will often talk to the families and inevitably, the team will find themselves inside a Ger, enjoying the wonderful hospitality of the family. Once at the Park Entrance, it is time to set up tents for one more night, say goodbye to the Bactrian Camels who help transport the gear and meet up with transportation back to Bayan Olgii.
Bactrian camel and Russian Van (Charlotte Austin)
All is well in Mongolia!
Greg Vernovage
