January 18th, 2018

Cerro Aconcagua and the Polish Glacier (Peter Bilodeau)

The Ecuador team is on their way home AND so is the Vinson team.  Heard from Greg this morning and they were literally heading onto the IL 76 for their flight back to Punta Arenas.  Go figure – off the Ice with a great summit and 2 days AHEAD of the best case scenario.  I guess we can’t do much better than that.

Additionally, just got off the sat phone with Nickel from C2 on Aconcagua.  Team did a fine job today with the move.  Camp is established, they’re getting fed and hydrated and making plans for C3 and their summit attempt.  Forecasts show a little precipitation is possible for the next couple of days but then clearing.  Forecasts are just that – forecasts – but the team is doing well and in good position now to take their shot when the mountain says ‘yes’.

Phil Ershler

January 17th, 2018

OK, catch up time with all the IMG teams ‘down south’.  Greg, Luke and the Vinson team got down to Vinson base camp yesterday.  No word today so their either still at Vinson base or have moved over to the Union Glacier camp.  Possible flight off the Ice tomorrow.  Has not yet been confirmed but a good possibility.  A second opportunity to fly back to Punta Arenas is on the 20^th.  They are in a SUPER position.

Nickel, Rikki, Martin and crew called in after their successful carry to C2 today.  Went well.  Weather was reasonable and the team was strong after their rest day at C1.  Plan is to make the big move tomorrow to C2.  That’s a big milestone as they’ll then be within striking distance of the summit with just one more move.  They’re all performing well.

Emily, Romulo and team have had the best of times together and the worst of climbing conditions.  We’re typically hoping for more snow when heading to Ecuador to climb.  Be careful what you wish for.  Too much snow, at the wrong time, was the issue this year.  The crew really didn’t have a chance on Chimborazo.  Had been snowing hard and was snowing hard when they took off.  You just can’t risk climbing in the avalanche conditions they encountered.  Obvious to all but still disappointing.  Regardless, this trip is coming to an end.  The Team will be catching flights home on Thursday.  Lots of good memories, good new friendships and here’s hoping there will be a ‘rematch’ back in Ecuador for the guys soon.

Phil Ershler

January 15th, 2018

IMG has some news from each of our teams south of the equator.  First and foremost, Greg Vernovage, Luke Reilly and their team summited Vinson today and have begun their descent.  I spoke with Greg 15 minutes ago.  He said it was a little breezy but folks did well and that they’re beginning their descent.  He’ll check back in tonight once the team has returned to high camp.  Remember, the time everyone uses on Vinson is Chilean time, meaning it’s 5 hours later there than in Seattle.  Also keep in mind that even though they won’t get back to high camp much before midnight, the sun will still be shining and that camp is already established.  They’re doing fine.

Nickel called me just before Greg and said the entire team did a good job today on their move to C1.  C1’s around 16,000’ so that’s a big accomplishment.  They’ll have at least 2 nights, maybe even 3, at that altitude before making the move to C2 and occupying that camp.  Staying healthy and continuing the acclimatization process are the big concerns.  Obviously, there’s work to do but one step at a time is the key right now.

Emily, Romulo and team are just having too much fun in Ecuador.  Some of the crew heads home today and 3 members stay to attempt Chimborazo.  Ecuador is so much more than ‘just’ a climbing trip.  Between spending time with Romulo’s family and meeting some new friends, they also squeezed in a hike today.  Everyone’s hoping the conditions/weather on Chimborazo are favorable.

Nothing but good news right now from the Southern Hemisphere.

Phil Ershler

January 14, 2018

Let’s get caught up with the comings and goings for IMG teams in the Southern Hemisphere. Report from Emily and Romulo in Ecuador was — close but no cigar. Great morning for climbing but just couldn’t find a way around, over or through the schrund right below the summit of Antisana. Team had a super day on the mountain but just couldn’t quite ring the bell. That’s always a bummer, but I think the amount of fun this team is having makes up for that last couple of hundred feet. Chimborazo is next on their agenda.

On the way to Vinson C1 (Emily Johnston)

In Antarctica, Greg, Luke and team established Camp 1 on Vinson without problems and are now working on their carry and move to high camp, C2. There’ll be at least one rest day thrown in there somewhere. We try to stick one in after the carry to high camp and before moving up. Once we get to high camp, it’s game day. As soon as the mountain provides a weather opening, the team will take their summit shot. Not quite yet but won’t be long.

Nickel, Rikki, Martin and team have made consistent progress down on Aconcagua. We always take a rest day after reaching base camp. A little time is needed to pack for the upper mountain, and 13,600’ is a great place to get a bit more acclimatization. Plus, Grajales Expeditions, our service provider for the last 30 plus years, is feeding them too much good food.

Regardless, their first carry with heavier packs is today, as they head towards C1 at just over 16,000’. Always a big test to see how they’re doing.

One step and one day at a time.

Phil Ershler