Peru Huayhuash trekkers reach Lagoon Carhuacocha

August, 10th, 2024

: Sulia Grande and Yerupaja from Lagoon Carhuachoca (John Hodder)

: Camp at Lagoon Carhuacocha (John Hodder)

Tyler Nachand called on the sat phone to report that the team had another beautiful day of trekking. Everyone is acclimatizing normally and doing well. From Mitucocha they climbed up over the Carhuac Pass (14,250’) and then descended down to the Lagoon Carhuacocha (13,700’) for the night. Now they are camped right at the foot of Sulia Grande and Yerupaja, two of the most famous and spectacular peaks in the Huayhuash Range. Sulia Grande was made famous by the “Touching the Void” ascent of Joe Simpson and Simon Yates, back in 1985, while Yerupaja is the second highest in Peru (after Huascaran) and the highest in the Huayhuash Range. All’s well in Peru!

Huayhuash trekkers reach Mitucocha Camp

August 9, 2024

En route to camp near Laguna Mitucocha (John Hodder)

It’s been a busy two days for the Huayhuash trekkers in Peru. IMG guide Tyler Nachand and the team are doing well, and are now “off the grid” and checking in by satellite phone. On Wednesday the team departed Huaraz and drove to the town of Llamac, and then continued to Cuartelwayin, at 13,800 ft for their first night on the trek. On Thursday, the team started with an uphill ascent to their first pass (Paso CCaccananpunta) at 15,400 ft, before dropping down into a fertile valley, around a ridge, and then up to their second camp slightly below Laguna Mitucocha, at about 14,000 ft. The weather has been excellent, perfect for trekking and the incredible views, a great way to start in the Huayhuash!

Huayhuash Team is Out the Door!

The 2024 IMG Huayhuash team on the way to Chiquian with the Huayhuash range behind (Tyler Nachand)

The Huayhuash Range

IMG leader Tyler Nachand reports from the trailhead at Chiquian that the team are all ready to go and begin the trek. The mule arrieros will be meeting them in the morning to load up the bags and camping gear for the circumnavigation of the Huayhuash Range. Well done team, putting yourselves in position. Now the fun begins!

Huayhuash Trekkers visit Laguna Churup

Huayhuash Trekkers at Laguna Churup (Tyler Nachand)

IMG guide Tyler Nachand reports from Peru that the team had a second day of acclimatization hiking today with a trip up to Laguna Churup: “Following our delicious breakfast at Hotel Morales, we made our way up the windy mountain roads above Huaraz to Pitec, where our trek to Laguna Churup began. Starting at 12,600ft, we slowly made our way up to Laguna Churup where we enjoyed stunning views and homemade empanadas for lunch. Above the lake we made our high point of the day at 14,800ft with another breathtaking view of the lake and surrounding glaciated peaks, the closest of which is Nevado Churup at 18,000ft. Our descent felt smooth and easy compared to the uphill as we made our way back to the trailhead for our drive back down to town. Another enjoyable dinner and final gear check for the Huayhuash circuit rounded out our last night in Huaraz. Tomorrow we’ll be heading south towards the Huayhuash circuit trailhead at Quartelhuain, 13,700ft, our first campsite of the trip.”

Huayhuash Trekkers are in Huaraz

Aug 5, 2024 – IMG guide Tyler Nachand reports that everyone made it to Lima, Peru yesterday with all their luggage. Well done, team! From there they traveled up north to the mountain town of Huaraz which is tucked in at the foot of the snowcapped Cordillera Blanca range. Their goal for the trip will be a circumnavigation of the nearby Corrdillera Huayhuash range, one of the world’s classic high mountain treks. Today the team had a nice acclimatization hike with our local guides Maximo and Michel, reaching an altitude of 12,300 ft at the Laguna (lake) Wilcachocha, where they had lunch. Now they are back in Huaraz for showers and dinner. All’s well in Peru!

Huayhuash trekkers on the way to Laguna Wilcacocha with the high peaks in the background (Tyler Nachand)

Mt. Rainier Summits!

July 30, 2024

Defying all odds with crummy weather the past few days, our 3.5 Day DC Climb led by Brad Swanson summited this morning via the DC! Congrats to this crew!

With our last Kautz and Emmons launching in the next week or so, our big summer rush is starting to come to an end. Now it’s just North Cascades rock season and time to finish strong on the DC!

DC Summits!

July 16, 2024

DC Team led by Max Bond on the summit of Mt. Rainier (Max Bond)

Our guide team worked tirelessly over the past five days to reestablish a climbing route on the DC, and the fruits of their labor has delivered! Our DC summit climb this morning, led by Max Bond, reached the summit with the team.

We’re full steam ahead in the Cascades!

July Kilimanjaro is a wrap!

July 16, 2024

Back down through the forest on the last day of the climb (Ang Jangbu)

The team with their summit certificates back at the hotel (Ang Jangbu)

The team had a nice hike down through the forest today to the Mweka Gate, where they paid off their porters and camp staff and said goodbye to them. Then, it was time to get in the vehicles and head down through the tea, coffee and banana farms on the slopes of Kili to the town of Moshi, at the base of the mountain. After getting showers and certificates, the team enjoyed a dinner with their guides. Thanks to Ang Jangbu, Kassim, and everyone who helped make the trip a success!

Kili climbers back to Mweka Camp

Ang Jangbu reports that everyone is down to the Mweka Camp at treeline, tired, safe and sound. Tomorrow the team will be heading back to Moshi to wrap up the climb with a barbeque dinner with their Chagga guides. Well done team!

July Kili climbers on Uhuru Peak (Ang Jangbu)

Kilimanjaro Summits!

July 15th, 2024

On the climb with the lights of Moshi in the background (Ang Jangbu)

Ang Jangbu called on the sat phone from Uhuru Peak to let us know that everyone was standing on the summit of Kilimanjaro. Well done! They had a nice climb up and are now in the process of descending to Mweka Camp. Additional summit photos will be forthcoming, but in the meantime he sent us one amazing photo from the team’s departure from Barafu Camp at midnight, with the lights of Moshi and the stars of the southern sky in the background. Wow!!