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

Huayhuash Team Making Progress

July 9, 2018

Headed towards Siula Pass (John Hodder)

IMG Lead Guide Betsy Dain-Owen checked in last night to report her team has been making steady progress over the past couple of days. From Lagoon Mitucocha, they had a shorter day on July 7, after crossing Carhuac Pass, at 15,252′. At camp, they took the opportunity to do some wash, rest, and enjoy the spectacular weather that’s exposing all the alpine beauty of the range.

Yesterday, trekkers were treated to more impressive views as they walked under Nevado Yerupaja, 21,703′, one of the more challenging peaks to climb in Peru. Once over Siula Pass at 15,700′, they reached a beautiful alpine valley with a camp in an area that’s known as Huayhuash (the namesake of the trek).

All is going well, and the team will continue to check-in as they make progress.

Jason Edwards

Salkantay Trek Starts In Cusco!

July 9, 2018

Cusco at night (Jason Edwards)

IMG lead guide Peter Anderson called in this morning to report that everyone has safely arrived (with baggage!) at the hotel in Cusco. The group met up at noon today for a chat, and then ventured out for lunch and a short tour of the city. All is well with the team.

George Dunn

New Kilimanjaro Team Arrives

July 9, 2018

View of Kilimanjaro from our hotel in Moshi (Dustin Balderach)

Phunuru called this morning with some more good news… our next Kilimanjaro team has all arrived with all of their luggage. Music to our collective ears!

From the Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) it’s about an hour to the hotel. Once at the hotel they had just enough time to grab a couple bottles of water then head to their rooms for the night. Their biggest objectives over the next 24 hours are:Â 1.) rest & adjust to the time zone and 2.) gear checks.

All is well in Moshi!

Tye Chapman

She Said Yes On The Summit Of Kilimanjaro

July 9, 2018

From: Brian
Sent: Sunday, July 8, 2018 10:17 AM
To: Tye Chapman
Cc: Kilimanjaro
Subject: RE: Kilimanjaro

Nothing like an engagement on the summit of Kilimanjaro!

Tye â€“ We are back in Washington (DC) and exhausted.Â But I wanted to drop a quick note to let you know how amazing our expedition was, including a very special engagement at the top of Kilimanjaro!!!

Everything was amazing but in particular we wanted to share our deep admiration, respect and love for Phunuru who was a spectacular guide and friend.Â As new alpine climbers, we needed â€œa little extraâ€ support, both physically and emotionally.Â Phunuru went the extra mile (or miles) to make sure we were successful.Â As we met each challenge, Phunuru knew exactly when and how to encourage us and help us.Â I am sure that we would not have made it to the summit without Phunuruâ€™s infectious optimism, profound confidence in us, boundless energy, deep expertise and knowledge, and spiritual leadership.Â The group took to calling him â€œPhunuru Our Guruâ€ and for good reason.

We are very much looking forward to the EBC trek in 2020.Â Please let me know when you get the dates so we can start planning.Â Several others in the group are also interested and I will be happy to try to get a critical mass on board.Â Including (maybe) Ricky Bumbo!

Thanks again!!!

Brian

Huayhuash Team On the Move!

July 8, 2018

: Look at those views! (Betsy Dain-Owens)

: Enjoying the Altiplano (Betsy Dain-Owens)

: En route to camp near Lagoon Mituchoocha (John Hodder)

Itâ€™s been a busy time down in Peru over the holiday weekend, IMG Lead Guide Betsy Dain-Owens has been checking in via sat phone about once a day, so letâ€™s get caught up with how our Huayhuash team is doing!

After spending two nights at the launching point further acclimating to the altitude, the team began their trekÂ on ThursdayÂ at Cuartelwayin, 13,800′. The next day,Â Friday, the team began their day with an uphill ascent to their first pass at 15,400′. Just after they started their descent from the pass to the next valley, a couple of Andean Condors flew just over the team…a lucky and incredible close sighting of these rare raptors–with huge wing spans of 10-11 feet. Talk about luck! Their trail then lead down to a fertile valley, around a ridge, and then up to their camp at 13,000′. After a short break at camp and some drinks and snacks, the team took a hike up to Lagoon Mitucocha, over 14,000′. The weather was super clear with a slight breeze…perfect for trekking and the incredible views.

A great way to start in the Huayhuash!

All is well,

Jason Edwards

That’s A Wrap For Kilimanjaro

July 6, 2018

: Cheetah (Phunuru Sherpa)

: Elephant (Phunuru Sherpa)

: Cheers! (Phunuru Sherpa)

Phunuru called in this afternoon (Seattle time) reporting that his team had an awesome day in the Ngorongoro Crater. They saw all the animals on their lists, including the elusive Rhino, though admittedly at a distance. This evening (Tanzania time) the team put an exclamation point on the day, and on the program, with a team celebration dinner. Suffice it to say he’s got an extremely happy team.

Tomorrow a few members of the team will depart early, while others will relax a bit longer to maximize their time at the Farm House, our post-safari luxury accommodations. The long journey home begins tomorrow for everybody except Phunuru, who is staying in Tanzania to lead our next

All is well in Tanzania!

Tye

Nothing Better Than Safari On The Serengeti

July 5, 2018

: The team after their flight from Arusha to the Serengeti. (Phunuru Sherpa)

: Roughin’ it on safari (Phunuru Sherpa)

: July 4th Campfire (Phunuru Sherpa)

After celebrating the 4th of July around the campfire on the Serengeti, Phunuru Sherpa and his team woke up to a wonderful breakfast followed by an awesome day on safari.Â “The animals were too many to count,” is how Phunuru described the day. Once back at their luxury safari camp, the team showered up and had a nice dinner.

Tomorrow will be their final day on safari, and it’s an amazing one. They’ll spend the bulk of the day in the famous Ngorongoro crater. The crater is roughly 16km x 19km and home to 5 prides of lions, over 500 hyenas, 30 rhinos, several hippo pools, elephants, countless zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, warthogs, ostriches…the list goes on.

All is well on the Serengeti!

Tye Chapman

Huayhuash Trekkers Enjoying Huaraz

July 3, 2018

Lots of smiles! (Betsy Dain-Owens)

IMG lead guide Betsy Dain-Owens reported in yesterday that the entire team is well and enjoying their time in the city of Huaraz.

They are doing day hikes to aid in acclimatization and all members are feeling healthy. Today the plan was to hike up to Lake Wilcacocha for further acclimatization. Tomorrow the actual trek starts, preceded by a 6 hour drive by private bus to Cuartelwayin, the first camp at 13,800â€™. The team will meet their mule drivers and organize loads for the start of their walking the next day. Lots to look forward to!

George Dunn