More Everest gear on the move

March 14th, 2024–

Loading the big truck heading to Taksindu (Ang Jangbu)

Our second load of food and equipment is heading for Khumbu! Today the Kathmandu team shuttled gear to the outskirts of Kathmandu, where they loaded up a big truck (only smaller trucks are allowed inside the city). This gear is heading for Taksindu, the town at the end of the road, and only about a days hike below Lukla. From Taksindu it will get flow by helicopter sling loads up into the Khumbu. So far so good!

Eric Simonson

Everest preparations are underway!

March 11, 2024

Food packing in Kathmandu for Everest (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)

Ang Jangbu Sherpa reports that we got our big food order delivered in Kathmandu and our cooks, Kaji and Nima, with help of other trek Sherpas, started packing. The plan is to send the loads by truck to Thaksindu (the end of the road, down the valley from Lukla), and then from there by helicopter sling loads up to Khumbu. Higher up the valley, the “Icefall Doctors” from the SPCC team are on their way to Base Camp to start building the route in the Icefall.

On March 14 Ang Pasang and Ang Karma, accompanied by yaks and porters, will be heading to EBC with gear loads, and to start laying out the Base Camp tent platforms. The rest of the Sherpa team will be coming in a few days later to continue the EBC construction. All’s well in Nepal!

2024 Everest Season is underway!

March 1st, 2024–

Everest BC before the 2024 season starts (Ang Karma)

The IMG climbers and trekkers will be arriving to Kathmandu at the end of March, but our team in Nepal are well underway with preparations. Up in the Khumbu, IMG senior sherpa guide Ang Karma went to Base Camp in mid-January and claimed our camp site. In the coming days we’ll be sending a team up there to start making tent platforms, which is always a big job since the glacier continually moves and wipes out all the old platforms, and new ones need to be chopped into the ice, and all the rocky morainal debris moved.

Heli with sling load and Thamserku Peak (Sonam Dorje)

Sling load arriving at Shyangboche (Sonam Dorje)

Recently we sent several sling loads of gear up to Shyangboche by helicopter, which was received by longtime IMG sirdar Ang Passang. Down in Kathmandu, Jangbu and Phunuru are meeting with our cooks Nima and Kaji to finalize the food purchasing. We are looking forward to a good spring season, with IMG climbers going to Lobuche, Mera, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Everest. All’s well in Nepal!

Eric Simonson

Last Day of Safari Doesn’t Disappoint

Feb 23, 2024 – The Kili team wrapped up their safari today with a final spectacular day, starting with a morning game drive through the shortgrass plains west of Ngorongoro Crater. This is the epicenter of the Great Migration, with vast number of animals, and predators. After that, the team visited the famous Olduvai Gorge, scene of the Leakeys’ paleoanthropological discoveries. Then, they hit the local Maasai village, to see how the native people live. Finally, they drove down into the Ngorongoro Crater to see more animals up close in the wild including the rhinos, flamingos, and hippos. They are wrapping it up tonight at a beautiful Ngorongoro lodge. Tomorrow they head back to Arusha for some shopping and re-packing before departing to the airport for their flights home. All’s well in Tanzania!

: Visiting the Maasai village (Phunuru)

: Last night of the trip at Ngorongoro Lodge (Phunuru)

: Simba on the kill (Phunuru)

Kili Climbers reach the Serengeti

February 21st, 2024–

: Preparing to fly to Serengeti (Phunuru)

: Cape Buffalo in the Serengeti (Phunuru)

: Giant crocodile at Seronera (Phunuru)

Phunuru reports the team had an early flight from Arusha to the Central Serengeti this morning, arriving in time for some first-class game viewing today. This is an incredible ecosystem, with millions of animals and pristine conditions, all part of the Serengeti National Park . The team did a morning game drive and also an evening one, seeing over 30 different animals, under the watchful eyes of our expert drivers and guides. They are overnighting at our super luxury tented camp, with top notch accommodations, surrounded by animals (they post a camp guard at night to shoo them away!). Tomorrow the team will head towards the eastern short grass plains to see the Great Migration and the giant herds of wildebeest, zebras, and the predators that follow them. All’s well in Tanzania!

Kili climbers descend to Moshi; Prepare for safari

February 20th, 2024–

Happy Kili climbers with their summit certificates back in Moshi (Phunuru)

Phunuru reports the team had a nice descent back to Moshi, arriving back to the hotel in time for lunch and a presentation of their summit certificates. Then, they had a fun afternoon hanging out, getting packed up, and enjoying a few well-earned liquid refreshments.

Tonight they all got together with their Chagga staff and had a nice dinner at the Hotel, and some more celebrations. Well done team!

Tomorrow they will leave early morning for Arusha, and their flight out to Central Serengeti. Its safari time!

100% on the summit of Uhuru Peak

February 19, 2024

: 100% at Uhuru (Phunuru Sherpa)

: Nearing Uhuru Peak (Phunuru)

: On the Crater Rim at dawn with Mawenzi in the background (Phunuru)

The Kilimanjaro climbers had a perfect summit day, with everyone making the top of Uhuru, the highest point. They left Barafu Camp a little after midnight and hit Stella Point on the Crater Rim at dawn. As they traversed around to Uhuru they were treated to a glorious sunrise with the sun rising over Mawenzi peak to the east. Their descent was straightforward back to Barafu, where they got some rest, packed up their porter duffels, and had some lunch. Then, they continued down the Mweka Route to the Mweka Camp at about 11,000 feet, near the treeline. Now the team are enjoying the thick air and getting some well deserved sleep. In the morning they will head down to the Mweka Gate and back to Moshi for celebrations and preparations for their safari. Well done team!

Kilimanjaro climbers ready to climb!

February 18, 2024

: Enjoying lunch at Barafu Camp (Phunuru Sherpa)

: Kili team at Barafu Camp (Phunuru Sherpa)

Phunuru reports the team had a nice hike this morning up to the Barafu Camp at 15,000 feet. It’s great to get up to the high camp early in the day, so the climbers can prepare. After a leisurely lunch, an afternoon spent resting, getting packed up, and an early dinner, the team is now snoozing, excited to start their climb at about 1 AM.

After traveling halfway around the world and spending five days acclimatizing on their approach, the team is finally in position and prepared, and ready to head for the Top of Africa. We’ll keep you posted!

Kilimanjaro climbers reach Karanga Camp

February 17, 2024

: Enjoying the sunset at Karanga Camp (Phunuru Sherpa)

: Traversing to Karanga Camp (Phunuru Sherpa)

: The steep spot on the ascent of the Barranco Wall (Eric Simonson)

Phunuru reports that the team had another day of great weather and fun hiking. They got an early start at Barranco Camp, climbing the steep trail up to the top of the Barranco Wall in the morning light. Then, with beautiful mountain views to their left, they then made a long traverse around to the Karanga Camp, which is (like Barranco) about 13,000 feet, a perfect height for acclimatization! The nearby stream is the last water on the way to the summit, so our cook team will be carrying water to the last camp. The team enjoyed a nice afternoon with great mountain views, and tonight they will be looking down on the twinkling lights of Moshi and the expansive Southern Sky. Tomorrow the plan is to be walking by 8am so they can get to the Barafu High Camp with plenty of time for rest during the afternoon. Everyone is doing well, and they are looking forward to the summit day.

Kilimanjaro climbers reach Barranco

February 16th, 2024–

The team at Lava Tower (Phunuru)

All’s well with the team at Barranco Camp. Today marked a new high point for many of the members, when they reached Lava Tower (15,088 ft), the lunch stop. There they had a nice meal prepared by the cook team, before making the gradual descent into the Great Barranco, a wide canyon on the north side of Kilimanjaro. Tonight, they are at 13,000 ft, a perfect acclimatization profile. Climb high, sleep low! After a comfortable night at the Barranco Camp, tomorrow the team will ascend the Barranco Wall and traverse the base of the rugged and spectacular south side of Kilimanjaro. It’s big!

On the trail to Lava Tower with Mt Meru in the background near Arusha (Phunuru)

Morning coffee at Barranco Camp with the Breach Wall behind (Phunuru)