August 8, 2018
August is a great time for training on the glaciers of Mt. Rainier. Our Glacier Skills team led by Anna Hicks spent the day learning crevasse rescue on the Paradise Glacier.
George Dunn
August 8, 2018
Another great day on the trail today is what Phunuru said when he checked in this morning. They enjoyed some cloud cover which kept things reasonably cool today. Clouds typically build up throughout the day and then dissipate in the evening, hopefully giving the team some nice views of the mountain after dinner.
Tomorrow they’ll head up to the Lava Tower (14,500ft.) for lunch before dropping down to Barranco Camp (13,000ft.) for the night. They’ll be breathing hard as they get to the Lava Tower, but it’s phenomenal acclimatization for their bodies.
All is well at Shira Camp on Kilimanjaro!
Tye Chapman
August 8, 2018
Everyone’s down, safe and sound, from their highly successful climb. As a custom trip, the team has total flexibility and they’re considering the options. Maybe another day in the valley? Maybe head to St. Petersburg early and start playing tourist? Bottom line, they got the job done and now it’s time to enjoy the rest of their time in Russia, see everything time allows and to reflect on a job well done.
We’ll call it ‘good’ with our blog posting. And, we’ll end it with a few incredible photos from Sasha Sak, our lead guide currently in Russia. Having the right team members, the right game plan and the right leadership makes for some very good outcomes. Two trips this season and both trips saw all members standing on top and, more importantly, without a scratch.
Time to sign up now for next season’s trips. See you in Russia.
Phil Ershler
August 8, 2018
Mount Malchin from the summit of Mount Khuiten (Greg Vernovage)
Eric and Jangbu checked in overnight to let us know that the Team reached the summit of Mount Malchin. Since the weather was so good at High Camp, the team did not need their contingency day for Mount Khuiten. So instead of heading home, the team decided to use their extra day and head up Mount Malchin. When in Rome…
We sent the weather over which called for a nice morning and rain in the afternoon. This is the message we received back from Eric: “Wx spot on. Left early. Summited Malchin and back to BC just in time. Raining HARD now. Like a monsoon!â€
The weather is clearing up and the team will head down valley to White River Campground and the Park Entrance tomorrow.
What a trip!
Greg Vernovage
August 7, 2018
IMG Guide Phunuru Sherpa checked in from Machame Camp (10,000ft.) on Kilimanjaro. It was an absolutely perfect day on the trail. They were the first team through the Machame Gate and the first team into camp. The time in the jungle was a nice contrast to the views they enjoyed once they got to camp. They enjoyed a nice dinner and hit the sack pretty early so they could get a head start on their trek to Shira Camp tomorrow.
All is well on Kilimanjaro!
Tye Chapman
August 7, 2018
A couple team members summiting Illimani. (Luke Reilly)
The team just checked in from Illimani Base Camp after a successful summit day. The climb of Illimani is tough, there is no question about it. From High Camp, the route heads up a steep ridge for about 45 minutes before the team can find a rest area. From here, the route rolls up and down towards the Illimani headwall. The headwall, before the summit ridge, is steep and requires good footwork and attention to ice axe placement. All of this is done on the west side of the mountain and the sun does not warm you up until the summit ridge. The payoff is huge! After hitting the summit ridge, the team can drink, eat and warm up with the morning sun. A short time later, the team is on the beautiful summit of Illimani (21,200 ft)!
What a great day of climbing for the team!
Greg Vernovage
August 7, 2018
After all these years, it’s still fun to be able to write a post saying “All members reached the summit and are on their way down safelyâ€. Never gets old.
Our custom Elbrus team, with one father and his son, and a mother and her son, under the leadership of IMG Guide, Sasha Sak, reached the summit early this morning. As Sasha reported – ‘a little windy but otherwise fine’.
Team is on their way down now. They’ll spend the night in the hut and then make their way back to the Valley in the morning. A big congratulations is due everyone. Just a great job all the way around.,
Phil Ershler
August 7, 2018
2018 Team on top of Peak Nairandal. (Carol Masheter)
Great news from Eric Simonson and Ang Jangbu overnight. The team reached the summit of Peak Nairandal in Mongolia. Technically, the team climbed to the summit from Mongolia and once at the summit, the team was touching the countries of Russia, China and Mongolia! Way to go!
After returning to High Camp and resting for a couple of hours, the team descended to Base Camp where they were welcomed by our great team of cooks with a celebratory dinner and cake. Tomorrow is a contingency day for the team and since they are enjoying such good weather, they have decided to hike up Malchin Peak.
Congratulations to our second IMG Mongolia Team!
Greg Vernovage
August 6, 2018
Final acclimatization hike today. Weather was good so the team’s thinking tonight for a summit attempt. Forecast is a little ‘iffy’ in the days ahead so a shot tonight seems like the right decision. Acclimatization has gone well and members have been handling the altitude well. Let’s keep fingers crossed, hoping the weather holds and that every is able to perform well tomorrow. It’s game day.
Phil Ershler
August 6, 2018
Having dinner in Moshi. (Phunuru Sherpa)
Phunuru checked in from Moshi reporting that his private Kilimanjaro Team arrived with all their gear and are officially ready to go! The gear checks were quick, giving them some time to explore Moshi and fine tune their packs & duffels for the upcoming climb.
They’ll have breakfast at the hotel tomorrow morning then hit the trail shortly thereafter. The trail tomorrow takes them through the jungle up to Machame Camp (10,000ft.).
All is well in Moshi!
Tye Chapman
