Success! Salkantay Enjoying Machu Picchu

July 15, 2018

: On the Trail, Look at those Views! (Peter Anderson)

: The Crew at Salkantay Pass (Peter Anderson)

: Team Looking Solid at Machu Picchu Trek (Peter Anderson)

IMG Senior Guide Peter Anderson checked in last night from Peru, “We are safe and sound in Aguas Calientes and ready for Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu tomorrow. We are headed out for dinner after well deserved, long showers. We are happy and healthy in Peru!”

Today is the big day for the Salkantay Team, with the full tour of Machu Picchu and a beautiful train ride back to Cusco. Peter Anderson checked in again this afternoon, “We are almost back to Cusco and ready for our celebration dinner. We had a great day at Machu Picchu with everyone making it up Huayna Picchu! The sanctuary has really changed the schedule and paths which made it feel much quieter.”

Congratulations to the team for an excellent adventure!

George Dunn

Huayhuash Trekkers Reach Huaraz

July 15, 2018

: Trekkers admiring the views along the Huayhuash trek. (Betsy Dain-Owens)

: Even with some clouds, the Huayhuash seems to show off its beauty. (Betsy Dain-Owens)

â€‹IMG Lead Guide Betsy Dainâ€‹-Owen checked in from Huaraz yesterday to confirm all trekkers completed the trek and successfully reached their hotel. They relaxed for a bit, then headed to dinner to celebrate their success!

The team’s trek from Jahuacocha (13,284′) to Llamac (10,660′) followed by an up-and-down route over yet a couple more high altitude passes. They’re a hearty team who’ve tackled each of the daily challenges well; crossing passes nearly always involved some upward travel to a pass–enjoying the views, and then a descent on the other side. Nice work, team, for taking the many challenges in great style!

The team is currently in transit homeward, and will arrive home later today. We’ll wrap up the trek blog posts tomorrow…with a few more spectacular pics from the trek.

Congratulations to the team on a job well done!

Jason Edwards

Kilimanjaro Team Ready For Summit Attempt

July 15, 2018

The team at Barafu Camp. (Phunuru Sherpa)

I received a short dispatch from Phunuru this morning.Â He said the team is doing well at Barafu Camp (15,400ft) and they’re all looking forward to their summit attempt in a few hours.Â They’ll ‘wake up’ at 11:00PM and hit the trail at 11:30pm. If all goes as planned they’ll be on the summit at about 8:00am. The sunrise from atop Kilimanjaro is well worth the effort.

The next call from Phunuru is hopefully from the summit!

Now we wait…

Tye Chapman

Kili Team Tucked In At Barranco Camp

July 13, 2018

Kili from Barranco Camp (Dustin Balderach)

We got word from Phunuru that the team had another heckuva a day on the trail today.Â They enjoyed the hike and the challenge of getting up to the Lava Tower (14,500ft.) for lunch.Â After lunch it was pretty much all downhill to Barranco Camp which sits at about 13,000ft., right in front of the Barranco Wall, tomorrows objective.

The team is acclimatizing well and ready to tackle the Barranco Wall tomorrow morning!

Tye Chapman

Huayhuash Trek Traverses More Passes

July 13, 2018

: Mules assist trekkers on the 10-day Huayhuash trek, leaving each day for trekkers to enjoy the views! (John Hodder)

: Nevado Rondoy on the left and other Huayhuash peaks, near Jahuacocha. (John Hodder)

The Huayhuash team has continued to move along through the trek, ascending and descending many passes. Yesterday afternoon, IMG Lead Guide Besty Dain-Owen checked in to let us know the team has crossed over Tapush Punta and Llaucha Punta, at 15,645′ and 15,908′. Mountain views have been somewhat obscured by clouds, and it’s been more chilly this past couple of days–which is actually nice trekking weather. Spectacular peaks still rise above the mist, though, to treat the team to Himalayan like grandeur.

The team made it to camp at Jahuacocha in a little over 4 hours, and then took a relaxing walk up the valley to a higher spot on a moraine, overlooking Nevado Rondoy and Nevado Yeupaja, which the team saw from the other side a few days ago. Today the team will reach civilization which I could tell was met with mixed feelings since it’s been such a great trek!

All is going well, and the team will check in this afternoon when they arrive at the hotel in Huaraz.

Jason Edwards

Kili Team At Shira Camp

July 12, 2018

: Proof they made it! (Phunuru Sherpa)

: Having a cup of tea and enjoying the views! (Phunuru Sherpa)

Phunuru checked in this morning with some good news… despite the less than ideal weather yesterday, the team enjoyed great views and much better weather today on their trek up to 12,000ft at Shira Camp. Once in camp, they settled into their tents, had some tea, and explored a bit.

Tomorrow they’ve got a bit of a bigger day. They’ll climb up to the Lava Tower (14,500ft.) for lunch, then drop down to Barranco Camp which sits at about 13,000ft. They’ll be huffing and puffing a bit as they near the Lava Tower, but it’s a great acclimatization day for the team.

All is well at 12,000ft on Kilimanjaro!

Tye Chapman

Fresh Snow In The Huayhuash!

July 11, 2018

: A typical camp in the Huayhuash. (John Hodder)

: Nevado Siula Grande, standing at 20,808′ (John Hodder)

IMG Lead Guide Betsy Dain-Owen reported in via sat phone from a camp below San Antonio Pass, that they awoke to a beautiful dusting of fresh snow. The weather cleared for most of they day, making for perfect trekking conditions, and the team experienced more wonderful views as they moved further into the Huayhuash range. They traversed several passes, which have provided for the spectacular peaks of Nevado Siula Grande and Trapecio.

After a long 8+ hour trek yesterday, the team pulled into Huatiaq, at 14,432′, which is about the height of our Mt. Rainier! The team rested and enjoyed the views, and then settled down for dinner in our dining tent, complete with tables and chairs…and of course, a well earned hearty â€‹â€‹meal!

SeveralÂ soccer fans on the tripâ€‹…they want to knowÂ World Cup scores each night! Go France & Croatia!

All is going well, and the team will continue to check in as they move through the trek.

Jason Edwards

Moshi –> Trailhead –> Machame Camp

July 11, 2018

: At the trailhead ready to go! (Phunuru Sherpa)

: They made it! (Phunuru Sherpa)

Things got off to a bit of a chilly & wet start on Kilimanjaro today, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of Phunuru and his team!Â Despite the weather they enjoyed the hike through the jungle and made it to Machame Camp (10,000ft.) where they warmed up with some hot soup and a nice pasta dinner.

After a good night of sleep they’ll hit the trail tomorrow morning at 8am. Destination: Shira Camp (12,000ft.).

All is well at Machame Camp on Kilimanjaro!

Tye Chapman

Salkantay Trekkers Enjoy Sacred Valley

July 10, 2018

: Pre-Inca Salt Flats (Peter Anderson)

: Sacred Valley Viewpoint (Peter Anderson)

: Temple of the Sun in Ollantaytambo (Peter Anderson)

IMG Senior Guide Peter Anderson checked in this afternoon reporting that he and his team had a heck of a day touring the Sacred Valley. They took an alternate route this time to avoid some of the crowds. Tricks of the trade come in handy!

Tomorrow will be an early start for the team because they’ve got about a 4 hour drive to the trailhead at Mollepata. Getting hiking is the hardest part! Once on the trail they’re looking at about 6 hours and 1500ft of elevation gain to get to their first camp. Note the treks starts out at about 11,500ft.

All is well in the Salkantay region of Peru!

Tye Chapman

Gear Checks Done // Kilimanjaro Trailhead Tomorrow

July 10, 2018

: The team is ready to go!

: Carb loading for the climb!

Phunuru checked in this morning (his evening) reporting that all went well with the team’s gear check and that they all enjoyed the afternoon exploring Moshi. With all the ‘to dos’ done, they were able to relax and enjoy their official welcome dinner.

Tomorrow the fun begins! They’ll drive to the trailhead and get checked in then start their climb from the Machame Gate up to Machame Camp (10,00ft.)!

All is well in Moshi!

Tye Chapman