Kilimanjaro Team Celebrating In Moshi

September 18, 2018

: Team members enjoying the view (Andy Polloczek)

: Nearing the summit (Andy Polloczek)

: Some team members on the summit (Andy Polloczek)

: Celebration Dinner (Andy Polloczek)

The IMG Kilimanjaro Team wrapped up their climb with a nice hike out to the trailhead at the Mweka Gate. Once they were checked-out of Kilimanjaro National Park they were picked up and back in Moshi for lunch. The afternoon was spent showering, relaxing and preparing for their safari adventure tomorrow.

The team reconvened for a celebration dinner in the evening to celebrate the wonderful climb and give thanks to the Chagga Guides that mean so much to our program.Â It sounds (and looks) like a great climb.

Tomorrow morning they’ll be up and out of the hotel at 8am and on their way to Arusha for their flight to the Serengeti. They’ll be spotting zebras and wildebeest by 2pm!

All is well in Tanzania!

Tye Chapman

Farewell Dinner And Rest Days

September 17, 2018

: Team dinner at ABC (Dallas Glass)

: Happy Trails to our trekkers (Dallas Glass)

Today we said goodbye to our Tibet Trekking Team. Our head chef, Kaji Sherpa, pulled out all of the stops to say farewell to our trekkers. The dinner also was good reason to celebrate the successful Camp 1 rotation for our climbers. Regardless of the reason, the dinner was amazing! Kaji started the night off with a cheese and cracker appetizer that the team washed down with a couple of Lhasa beers. Next on the menu were some homemade spring rolls with fresh sheep steak. For dessert, Kaji whipped up an amazing chocolate cake. While Kaji and the team put dinner together, our climbers decorated the dining tent with anything they could find around camp.

It’s clear that team has bonded well. It is always great to see teams come together in the mountains and look after and support each other. After they said their goodbyes, the trekking team headed downhill to Tingri. Tomorrow, they will head to the North Side of Mount Everest and Rongbuk.

For our climbing team, it was the first full rest day after a difficult, and very successful, rotation to Camp 1. More rest and refueling is on the agenda for our climbing team. We will keep an eye on the weather and our Sherpa Team will be getting ready to establish Camp 2 for our next rotation.

Click here for full Cho Oyu Expedition Coverage!

All is well on Cho Oyu!

Greg Vernovage

Kilimanjaro Team Summits

September 17, 2018

Classic sunrise shadow on Kilimanjarol (Greg Vernovage)

IMG Senior Guide Andy Polloczek called in last night (10pm Seattle / 8am Tanzania) from the summit of Kilimanjaro! He said the team had an excellent summit night. The weather was mostly clear with a slight breeze, but cold! The cold part shouldn’t be a surprise; summit day on Kilimanjaro, more often than not, is bone-chilling cold requiring a big down coat, big warm gloves and multiple pairs of socks…. hand & foot warmers are a nice touch too.

After celebratory photos on the summit, the team descended to High Camp, and on down to the thicker air at Millenium Camp (12,500ft).Â They’ll have a few hours on the trail tomorrow but should be back at the hotel in Moshi for lunch and hot showers!

Tye Chapman

Cho Oyu Team Back At Advanced Base Camp

September 16, 2018

: Cho Oyu from camp at sunset (Dallas Glass)

: Climbers nearing C1 (Dallas Glass)

: IMG Camp 1 (Dallas Glass)

: Mingma leading the team up the glacier en route to C1 (Dallas Glass)

Dallas checked in from Cho Oyu Advanced Base Camp reporting that team enjoyed a great acclimatization rotation up to Camp 1. The first night at C1 typically involves a couple headaches and some tossing and turning in the sleeping bag, but that’s to be expected. This team took it all in stride and all made it back down to ABC in good form.

Their current plan is to take a rest day tomorrow then do a little training on Tuesday. They’ll save Wednesday to get packed up & ready for their move to Camp 1.

All is well on Cho Oyu.

Tye Chapman

Kili Team At High Camp

September 16, 2018

Kili on the hike to Barafu (Dustin Balderach)

Andy checked in from Barafu Camp on Kilimanjaro today. The team had a great day on the trail today and made it to High Camp in just a few hours. The team is feeling strong and looking forward to their summit attempt. The plan is to wake up at 11pm, have some coffee and a snack or two, then hit the trail between 11:30pm and midnight. If all goes as planned they’ll be standing on the summit tomorrow morning around 8am (Tanzania time).

All is well on Kilimanjaro!

Tye Chapman

Kili Team Moves To Karanga Camp

September 15, 2018

: The team on top of the Barranco Wall (Hubert Henry)

: The team at Karanga Camp (Hubert Henry)

IMG Guide Andy Polloczek checked in this morning (his evening) from Karanga Camp on Kilimanjaro. He said the team had a blast climbing the Barranco Wall and made it to Karanga Camp in good form this afternoon. They’ll move to high camp tomorrow. If all goes as planned they’ll try for the summit on Monday.

All is well at Karanga Camp!

Tye Chapman

Another Great Day On Cho Oyu

September 15, 2018

: Team heading up on Cho Oyu (Phunuru Sherpa)

: Cho Oyu Team photo before heading up on the first rotation (Phunuru Sherpa)

: Beautiful Day on Cho Oyu (Phunuru Sherpa)

We heard from Phunuru and Dallas overnight.Â The team had a great day climbing to Camp 1 on Cho Oyu.Â This is a big accomplishment for everyone.Â The first move up is tough.Â The team concentrated on moving slowly and getting used to the uneven terrain that goes with the climb to Camp 1.Â It is slow going the first time up this section but having done it now, the climbers know what to expect the next time they head up.

It was a great day on Cho Oyu!

Greg Vernovage

Rongbuk –> Kyirong

September 14, 2018

: Evening picture of Mount Everest from Rongbuk (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

: Leslie at the North Side of Mount Everest (Mitch Hobbs)

: Mitch and Leslie with Everest in the background at Pang la (17,100â€™) (Tashi Pelda)

: Mitch, Leslie and Lopsang just before Rongbuk (Tashi Pelda)

: Locals harvesting barley (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

: Road leading down the Rongbuk side of Pang La (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

A quick update on our Private Tibet Trek.Â The weather has been perfect for Lopsang, Mitch and Leslie.Â The small team is finishing up their visit to Rongbuk today and will continue heading for the Kyirong border in the morning.Â This team has nailed the weather window for their trek and are having a great time!

Greg Vernovage

A Little Snow At The Lava Tower

September 14, 2018

: The team under a Giant Groundsel (Hubert Henry)

: Descending from the Lava Tower to Barranco Camp (Hubert Henry)

: Clear views in the afternoon (Hubert Henry)

“All is well at Barranco Camp” is the report I received by satellite phone from IMG Guide Andy Polloczek.Â The team had another great day on the trail despite the snow/grauple/rain that shortened their lunch break at the Lava Tower (14,500ft.) this afternoon.

The team powered through the hiccup in the weather and are currently enjoying clear skies and beautiful views of Kilimanjaro from Barranco Camp 13,000ft.

Tomorrow takes the team up the famous Barranco Wall and then over to Karanga Camp (13,000ft).

Tye Chapman

Cho Oyu Team Ready For Camp 1 Rotation

September 14, 2018

: IMG World Class Sherpa Team at Camp 1 on Cho Oyu (Pega_Sherpa)

: PK Sherpa selfie with IMG Camp 1 in the background (Pega Sherpa)

Dallas and Phunuru checked in this morning.Â It was a great day for all IMG Team members.Â Dallas and Phunuru took the climbing team for a hike up the glacier to stretch their legs, get familiar with the route and continue working on acclimatization.Â Our Sherpa Team took loads of gear to Camp 1 and worked hard setting up tents and preparing for the team.Â The afternoon was spent getting packed up and ready to make the move tomorrow morning.

Dallas said the team will be walking at 9am tomorrow and heading to Camp 1.Â This is a big test for the team.Â The route is not technical but is a longer hike up the glacier before they hit what I call â€œthe hill.â€Â The hill is the first big test for the climbers.Â It is a long hill with many switch backs before gaining the ridge and eventually Camp 1 (20,100â€™).Â It’s a fun climb and the team will certainly enjoy the challenge.

Greg Vernovage