February 20, 2018

Sunset Coming off the Mountain (Peter Bilodeau)

Let’s put a bow on the 2017/18 Aconcagua season.  Eric, Anna, Leo and team are in Mendoza tonight.  It’s a wrap.  Super job by all and just a sensational way to end the season.  Five IMG teams on Aconcagua this season and five teams were able to reach the summit.  More importantly, everyone still has ten fingers and ten toes.

Dates for next season are on the web site and lead IMG guides are lined up.  Leandro Villegas and Martin Lucero, our two stellar Argentine guides, will again be joining IMG teams on the mountain.  Ready for a real expeditionary challenge? Aconcagua is waiting for you, and so are we.

Phil Ershler

February 19, 2018

To the Top! (Nickel Wood)

Good news from Aconcagua.  Eric, Leandro, Anna and team reported a good day to stand on the summit of Aconcagua.  Cold morning but not windy.  Snow right from the get go.  Everyone is back now at high camp, having hot drinks and something to eat.  Tomorrow is the big drop to Plaza Mulas and likely pizza for a late lunch.  Congratulations to everyone for all their team work and all their efforts.  Very nicely done.

Phil Ershler

February 16, 2018

Luke and Team on the Summit (Luke Reilly)

Luke, Jay, Martin and team are a wrap.  They’re ‘living large’ in Mendoza and arranging flights home.  Great teamwork, great summit day and another great success.  Done.

Eric, Anna, Leandro and crew are taking a rest day at C2 today.  They made a strong carry yesterday to C2 (high camp) and now they’re strategizing on their summit bid.  Winds are forecasted to remain reasonable for the next several days so Eric’s in no hurry, and wisely so.  Likely move on Saturday to high camp and then, weather permitting, team will likely take a shot Sunday morning.  Regardless, they’re doing well and right where they should be and with a good forecast, to boot.

Phil Ershler

February 14th, 2018

Room with a View (Peter Bilodeau)

Luke and team returned to Penitentes without issues.  They’ll finish the gear sorting as soon as mules arrive and then it’s onward to Mendoza.  Plaza Mulas, base camp on the Horcones side early this morning and they’ll be dining on steak and Malbec tonight.  A life of extremes is not such a bad thing.

We talked a lot about forecasts during this Aconcagua season but we do like good forecasts.  Eric Remza and crew made their move to C2 today.  That’s huge.  They’re now at a point where they can sort of ‘pick their shot’.  Just got off the phone with Eric and he said it was a sweet day and minimal wind at C2.  He also talked about how well the members were doing and how much everyone was pitching in to help get camp up the minute they arrived.  These guys are really climbers and not trekkers.  These guys are active, contributing team members and they will deserve their success.  Back to the forecast – it’s good.  The next few days don’t show precip and they don’t show any big winds.  Remember, Aconcagua is famous (or infamous) for the Viento Blanco – the White Wind.  Snow, cold – no huge problem.  Wind – big problem.  We ‘think’ the team’s in a great position.  Maybe they carry tomorrow to high camp, throw in a rest day somewhere and get serious about taking a shot Sunday or Monday.

Eric will keep me posted so I can share their plans as they continue to unfold.  Again, everyone’s contributing, staying reasonably healthy and the weather is not making their job more difficult.  That’s all good.

Phil Ershler