January 2, 2019
From: Phunuru
Sent: Wednesday, January 2, 2019 10:16 AM
To: kilimanjaro@mountainguides.com;
Subject: Ngorongoro Sopa lodge
So much having fun last dinner with the group
Phunuru
January 2, 2019
Mule Train Leaving the Plaza de Mulas Basecamp (Luke Reilly)
Jonathan, Martin and Co. have escaped the winds at C3 and are now down at the Plaza de Mulas basecamp. This crew has simply done a super job. The tradition at basecamp after a successful climb like this is to put down a couple slices of pizza and wash it down with an ice-cold beer or soda. I’m guessing there will be a couple of high altitude showers this afternoon as well to begin the process of re-entry into civilization. They will begin the long walk out to the road tomorrow where another shower will be waiting for them in Mendoza.
An IMG Team Pulling into Low Camp on Vinson (Luke Reilly)
Austin was able to make the move from Vinson basecamp to low camp yesterday and has reported that the weather has been spectacular. They are taking a rest day today at low camp. It’s time to start looking closely at weather models and put together a good plan for heading up to high camp to get into position for tagging the top. The climb from low camp to high camp is a fun one and involves ascending a fixed line, similar to that on Denali.
Luke Reilly
January 2, 2019
Kilimanjaro team ready to fly to Serengeti (Phunuru Sherpa)
After all the hard work of climbing Kilimanjaro, Phunuru reports that our team are having a fun safari! Their trip back in time started with a flight to the Serengeti and spending New Years at the lodge. From there they moved on to Ndutu and now they are heading to Ngorongoro. Along the way they have seen lots of animals, had a good taste of safari life and a vision of a primal world. It’s a little harder to get to these destinations than the game parks located closer to Arusha, but their remoteness is what makes them so special. One more day of world class game viewing and the team will be heading back to civilization. What a great way to start the New Year!
Eric Simonson
January 1, 2019
Summit Ridge of Aconcagua (Luke Reilly)
Jonathan called in to say Happy New Year and let us know that they reached the summit of Aconcagua. This is a a job well done. Their patience, determination and hard work paid off. I really can’t think of a better way to start the new year than standing on the highest point in the western hemisphere. Congratulations to Jonathan and crew. They will make their way back down to Plaza de Mulas basecamp tomorrow and begin the journey to Mendoza.
Twin Otter at Vinson Basecamp (Luke Reilly)
Austin also checked in last night and informed us that they were able to take the Twin Otter flight to Vinson basecamp down in Antarctica. They were able to establish camp and his plan was to make a carry to low camp to start the progression up the mountain today.
Luke Reilly
December 31, 2018
Sunset at Camp 3 on Aconcagua (Luke Reilly)
Jonathan just checked in from C3 on Aconcagua. They made the push to high camp today and are now in position to take a shot at the summit tomorrow. The winds are pretty strong right now but the forecast shows a small drop in winds tomorrow, so they’re going to give it their best shot. The team has done all their homework, are healthy and have set themselves up for success. Let’s see if the winds cooperate tomorrow and allow the team to take a stab at the summit. C3 is a heck of a place to be to ring in the New Year. Good luck Jonathan and crew!
Luke Reilly
December 30, 2018
Phunuru reports that the Kilimanjaro team had a nice hike this morning down to the Mweka Gate trailhead, followed by a mini bus ride back to the hotel in Moshi. After lunch, showers, and some beers (not necessarily in that order) everyone was cleaned up and feeling good. They kept the party going into the evening with their local Chagga guides at a celebration dinner. Well done team!
Tomorrow morning the team will drive to the airport in Arusha, then fly by airplane about an hour to the west to the Seronera airport in the middle of the Serengeti National Park. Upon landing they will be met by their drivers and start their 3 night / 4 day wildlife safari. If you are going to go all the way to East Africa, spending a few days on safari is the perfect way to put a bow on the trip!
Eric Simonson
December 29, 2018
Summit of Vinson on a previous expedition (Greg Vernovage)
We’ve got updates from IMG expeditions on Kilimanjaro, Vinson and Aconcagua. Let’s start with Kili…
As reported earlier, everyone summited this morning in excellent conditions and returned to high camp without issue. The good news continued with an afternoon update saying that everyone is down at Mweka Camp, in the lap of luxury. A nice evening, good sleep and a few hours walk and this climb is in the books. It’s safari time!
Way down South, Austin Shannon reports they got onto the Ice about 12 hours ahead of schedule. They had some great meals and a good sleep at Union Glacier, which is where the big plane, the IL76 lands. Hope was to fly the 1 hour over to Vinson base camp today. All’s good WAY south.
Jonathan Schrock reported in from Aconcagua. Wind is the issue. Skies are clear, it’s cold but the issue right now is wind. That said, the team’s in the best place possible. They’ve carried to high camp but aren’t AT high camp. Much easier to deal with the winds at C2 rather than at C3. They’ll use every day possible with the hopes they can anticipate any breaks in the wind and move into position for their shot. The team receives lots of forecasts, but they’re only forecasts, no guarantees. All healthy, strong and where they should be. Mother nature needs to cooperate, just a little. We don’t need perfect but we do need reasonable.
Phil Ershler
December 29, 2018
The December EBC Trek Team woke up to another perfect day in the Khumbu Valley! The Team took a short walk up from the Khumbu Lodge to the heli pad where they were met by two helicopters. Once on the helicopter, it is a short jump down to Lukla for refueling and a 45 minute ride back to Kathmandu. This flight is simply amazing.
What an incredible trek to EBC this team had. This Team enjoyed some amazing weather for their trek. Trekking in December is a bit cool but having the Khumbu Valley practically to themselves was a nice tradeoff. After goodbyes were passed around by our incredible Sherpa Guide Team the team was on their way back to Kathmandu where they were met by Lhakpa and Ang Jangbu Sherpa. Thank you to all of our trekkers for joining IMG and thank you to our Sherpa Guide Team for making great memories!
If you have a small team and are ready to trek to Everest Base Camp, let us know, we are here to help organize a trip of a lifetime!
Greg Vernovage
December 29, 2018
Received two texts early this morning. The first was from Phunuru saying that the team and he were on the summit. A few hours later we received a second, this one saying that everyone was back down in high camp. Just the news we wanted to hear!
The team will be taking a short rest at high camp but mostly they’ll be eating, drinking, packing and getting ‘prepped’ mentally for their remaining hike down to Mweka Camp at 10,000’. That’s where the air is ‘thick’ and warm and chances of serious altitude-related health issues have decreased dramatically. That’s the place, also, where our Chagga team will be waiting with sleeping tents up and hot food and drink in the mess tent.
The training and the focus has paid off. Everyone performed well and they got the job done. No injuries, a beautiful summit morning and a good time had by all. Tomorrow’s walk is a short one and all down hill. Now the focus will be turning to the safari.
Well done, everyone!
Phil Ershler
December 28, 2018
IL-76 Ready to Depart
Breaking news – We just received word that the Vinson team is in the air and heading south. No smoother way to start to a Vinson trip!
Phil Ershler
