September 15, 2018
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
September 15, 2018
We heard from Phunuru and Dallas overnight. The team had a great day climbing to Camp 1 on Cho Oyu. This is a big accomplishment for everyone. The first move up is tough. The team concentrated on moving slowly and getting used to the uneven terrain that goes with the climb to Camp 1. 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
September 14, 2018
A quick update on our Private Tibet Trek. The weather has been perfect for Lopsang, Mitch and Leslie. The small team is finishing up their visit to Rongbuk today and will continue heading for the Kyirong border in the morning. This team has nailed the weather window for their trek and are having a great time!
Greg Vernovage
September 14, 2018
“All is well at Barranco Camp” is the report I received by satellite phone from IMG Guide Andy Polloczek. 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
September 14, 2018
Dallas and Phunuru checked in this morning. It was a great day for all IMG Team members. 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. Our Sherpa Team took loads of gear to Camp 1 and worked hard setting up tents and preparing for the team. 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. This is a big test for the team. The route is not technical but is a longer hike up the glacier before they hit what I call “the hill.â€Â The hill is the first big test for the climbers. It is a long hill with many switch backs before gaining the ridge and eventually Camp 1 (20,100’). It’s a fun climb and the team will certainly enjoy the challenge.
Greg Vernovage
September 13, 2018
Kili coming out of the clouds. (Photo by Kathy Harshbarger)
Andy checked in this morning (his evening) and reported that the team had another great day on the trail! They dodged the rain by just a few minutes today. “It poured just after we got to camp” is how Andy put it. The clouds had already started to dissipate by the time they were heading to their tents for some shuteye.
Tomorrow they’ll leave Shira Camp (12,000ft.) and stay above the treeline making their way up to the Lava Tower (14,500ft) for lunch. They’ll surly be breathing hard at 14,500ft, but it’s incredible acclimatization. After lunch they’ll drop back down to Barranco Camp (13,000ft.). It’s a reasonably big day tomorrow, but this team is up for the challenge!
Tye Chapman
September 13, 2018
Dallas checked in overnight to let us know it was a beautiful morning for the Puja! Dallas was able to send some photos with his message. Our team looks happy, healthy and ready to get moving. After the Puja, people enjoyed hot showers, did laundry and organized gear with anticipation of heading to Camp 1 soon. Our Sherpa Team was hard at work after the Puja, making loads for Camp 1.
Tomorrow, our Sherpa Team will head to Camp 1 with gear; the climbing team will take a walk on the glacier to familiarize themselves with the route and gain more altitude.
The pictures tell the story; a happy team enjoying good weather on Cho Oyu!
Greg Vernovage
September 12, 2018
The team at the hotel this morning before heading ot the trailhead. (Andy Polloczek)
IMG Guide Andy Polloczek checked in from Machame Camp (10,000ft) on Kilimanjaro reporting all is well. The team enjoyed a nice rain free hike through the jungle, always a win on the first day. Once at camp they settled in and enjoyed a bite to eat. The team did well on the trail and are already looking forward to making the move to Shira Camp tomorrow.
All is well on Kilimanjaro!
Tye Chapman
September 12, 2018
The Cho Oyu Team is settling in at Advanced Base Camp on Cho Oyu. The Team is becoming familiar with their new surroundings, their gear, getting settled into tents, eating, drinking and working with Dallas and Phunuru on plans for the days to come. Getting settled in at ABC allows the team to relax and refocus energy on the next goal. This team has done a great job taking it slow and steady and most importantly acclimatizing. They have arrived at ABC healthy and strong.
Tomorrow is Puja Day! The team will gather after breakfast and have the Puja ceremony where they ask permission to climb the mountain. After the Puja, it will be lunch time, followed by some reorganizing and most likely some harness rigging and light training. Our Sherpa Team will be communicating with other teams about the upper mountain and will start carrying gear to Camp 1 for the team’s first rotation.
All is well on Cho Oyu!
Greg Vernovage
September 11, 2018
Andy and the crew having lunch at the hotel. (Andy Polloczek)
Andy checked in today reporting that things went just as planned today. The team met at 9am this morning to get to know each other a bit and talk about their upcoming climb. Afterwards Andy met with the team members individually to do gear checks. Once all the business was out of the way, they went into Moshi to run a couple errands and explore a little bit.
Still a little jet lagged, they returned to the hotel in the afternoon to finish packing, have dinner and generally rest up. They’ve got some big days ahead of them, but from the looks of this team, they’ll do just fine!
The plan for tomorrow is an early breakfast, check out of the hotel and in the van by 8:00am. They’ll have about an hour to the trailhead where they’ll check in with Kilimanjaro National Park, and hit the trail.
All is well in Moshi!
Tye Chapman
