December 24, 2017

Well that’s a wrap. Phunuru just checked from the hotel in Moshi with a group of very happy, healthy, and (now) clean climbers.

Kilimanjaro from the forest on the final descent (Dustin Balderach)

It’s evening in Tanzania, and the team was just about to sit down for a celebratory dinner with their Chagga guides. They will have some tremendous stories to share after a challenging summit day where not all groups on the mountain were able to summit due to unseasonal weather. But with an IMG guide at the helm, they were able to have 100% of their team stand together on the summit. That’s quiet an accomplishment, and it simply doesn’t get any better than that!

Now they have all showered, packed up and will probably celebrate with a few Kilimanjaro beers! Some climbers will be leaving for safari tomorrow morning, while the others will be flying home. I can’t think of a better Christmas gift. On behalf of IMG, we wish this strong team a hearty congratulations and happy holidays to all!

Dustin Balderach

December 23, 2017

Phunuru called from Mweka Camp to report that everyone is down safe and sound. Sounds like a cold and windy climb. Phunuru said that many other teams did not reach Uhuru today due to the conditions. Well done team! That’s why we require a warm parka for our IMG Kilimanjaro climbers!

Eric Simonson

December 22, 2017

IMG guide Phunuru just called on the sat phone from the summit of Kilimanjaro with the news we have been waiting for. He reports that all of the team members have summited, and they are now making their way down. They had a great climb and were elated to be standing on ‘The Roof of Africa’ together.

Crater Rim of Kilimanjaro (Dustin Balderach)

They have a long descent ahead of them, as they will stop briefly at Barafu High Camp for a hot lunch and then continue on down to Mweka Camp at 10,000ft. A long but incredibly rewarding day. We will hear from Phunuru again when they are all down at Mweka Camp. Congratulations to the entire team on their summit!

Dustin Balderach

December 22nd, 2017

It is just about ‘go-time’ over on Kilimanjaro. We just heard from IMG guide Phunuru who is up at Barafu High Camp with a very excited team. As expected, they made easy work of the 3-hour hike up to high camp this morning. The Team is now packing up for summit night and relaxing in their tents. An early dinner and then they will try to grab a little sleep. But sleep is scarce up here. Not only is the air thinner at 15,100 feet, but the excitement of the night looms in the front of everyone’s minds. Not to mention you lay down in your tent at 6pm knowing you’ll be waking up at 11pm. This combination is not especially conducive to a good night’s sleep for anyone climbing Kili. Doesn’t really matter though as all the preparation is behind them at this point and all they need to do is get some time off the feet and continue hydrating. Another unique camp, Barafu – meaning ‘ice’ in Swahili which is fitting – sits on a rugged, rocky ridge with excellent views. Its also cold here after dark. During the afternoon, you can watch weary summit climbers passing through camp knowing that you’ll be in their shoes (or perhaps ‘boots’) the same time tomorrow. Tonight all the hard work of training and prepping will be put to good use as the Team sets off for the summit around midnight (Tanzania time). We wish the Team good luck and a great climb and look forward to hearing from Phunuru from the summit early tomorrow morning.

Dustin Balderach

December 21st, 2017

IMG guide Phunuru just checked in over on Kilimanjaro from Karanga Camp. The Team had just enjoyed a hot lunch at camp after a great hike this morning. The Barranco Wall was challenging yet fun and the Team made excellent progress today. It was a relatively short day (around 4 hours) and Phunuru and team arrived at Karanga Camp in the early afternoon. Sitting on a broad ridge above the Karanga River, from this camp you can look over and see Mt. Meru to the east. Looking the other direction the (remaining) glaciers of Kili are in full view for all to see. Its another neat spot and the sunrises here are spectacular. Thats one of the things I love about Kili is that each camp is different and provides unique views of both Kili and the surrounding geography. Everyone continues to be in good health and it looking forward to the short day up to high camp tomorrow. Its only about a 3.5 hour hike tomorrow from Karanga (at 13,300 feet) up to Barafu High Camp (15,100 feet). Pretty easy walking, even in the thinning air. The team is making excellent progress and I know there will be a lot of excitement at camp tomorrow! All continues to go smoothly for Phunuru and team over on Kilimanjaro.

Dustin Balderach

December 20th, 2017

Another great day on the trail is the report from IMG guide Phunuru over on Kilimanjaro. They were just about to sit down to a nice hot dinner when Phunuru checked in to say that everyone was happy and healthy. Thats what we like to hear! The Team had a big day today on their hike from Shira Camp, up to the base of Lava Tower, and then down to Barranco Camp where they are resting comfortably now. This day on Kili is the second longest and its always a great feeling to get into Barranco Camp after the hike. Situated in a valley at 13,000 feet, Barranco Camp enjoys some of the best up-close views of Kili and its southern glaciers. Because its in a valley the sun sets early and rises late here so the Team will be crawling into the tents right after dinner as the evening chill sets in. One of my favorite places on Kili is the grove of Giant Groundsel trees you pass through just before entering Barranco Camp. These trees are wild looking! Tomorrow is another neat day on the trail. The Team will get to tackle the Barranco Wall right out of the gate in the morning. Intimidating from afar, its not nearly as bad as it looks once you are on it. And its often mentioned as one highlights of the entire climb. An hour and a half, maybe 2, and they will be at the top of Barranco Wall with another amazing view. Another couple hours and they’ll be enjoying hot lunch at Karanga Camp. Yet another great acclimatization day as the Team will “climb high and sleep low.” We look forward to Phunuru’s report from Karanga Camp tomorrow.

Dustin Balderach