Standing By on the Ice

November 28, 2017

The â€˜ILâ€™ on the Ice

Good news is that our team flew in exactly on schedule on Sunday.Â The flight from Punta Arenas to Union Glacier is on a Russian IL76.Â Thatâ€™s a big, 1970â€™s era cargo jet.Â From there, itâ€™s about another hour on a Twin Otter to reach Vinson base camp.Â All flight legs require good weather and visibility.Â The team is first in line for the flight to Vinson base camp but needs just a little more clearing to make it happen.Â A good motto when it comes to flights is —– â€œwhen in doubt, donâ€™tâ€.Â ALE, the flight service, has an impeccable safety record and we want them to keep it that way.

Life at Union Glacier is CUSH beyond belief.Â Believe me, the team is not suffering.Â I just hope theyâ€™re not getting too comfortable!

As soon as possible, our team will be on their way over to VBC, putting the boots on and working their way up the mountain.Â All is just fine in Antarctica.

Phil Ershler

Pheriche –> Lobuche –> Rest Day

November 27, 2017

Looking down at Pheriche. (Tye Chapman)

Over the holiday weekend here in the USA, our EBC Trekkers enjoyed treks from Tengboche to Pheriche and from Pheriche up to Lobuche. Tomorrow is a rest day for the team.Â Things slow down on rest days. They’ll likely sleep in a little bit, enjoy an extra cup of coffee before heading out on a short hike. They may trek up to take a closer look at the Khumbu Glacier or wander up one of the smaller valleys to get a better view at Lobuche Peak.

After the rest day, they’ll head up the trail to Gorakshep, Everest Base Camp and Kala Pattar.

It won’t be long now!

Tye Chapman

Vinson Team On Their Way to the Ice

November 27, 2017

: Team Lunch (Emily Johnston)

: Most of the Team in Punta Arenas (Emily Johnston)

Itâ€™s always summer somewhere in the world.Â That even includes Antarctica.Â The Austral summer has started and that means the sun is now above the horizon 24 hours a day in Antarctica.Â IMGâ€™s first Vinson expedition for the 2017/18 season is being led by IMG Senior Guide, Justin Merle, and assisted by IMG Senior Guide, Emily Johnston, MD.Â If that isnâ€™t a super guide combination, I donâ€™t know what is.Â They met their climbing team in Punta Arenas, Chile the day after Thanksgiving.Â Food shopping, packing, gear checks, getting over jet lag, orientation meetings, getting all the gear to the airplane and just an amazing amount of excitement kept everyone busy for the next couple of days.Â I received news from Justin that they were headed for the airport the morning of the 26^th and weâ€™ll next hear from them from the Ice.Â Isnâ€™t it amazing when you can fly to Antarctica exactly on schedule?

Justin, Emily and team will touch base via sat phone when they can.Â This is the first expedition of the season to Vinson.Â Since IMGâ€™s first trip to Vinson in 1988, weâ€™ve always found this first trip to be extra exciting.Â Itâ€™s cold but itâ€™s Antarctica and to be expected.

Phil Ershler

Cold & Clear In The Khumbu

November 24, 2017

: Another great day of trekking! (Harry Hamlin)

: The team enjoyed their visit to the Tengboche Monastery.

Harry checked in overnight reporting that the team continues to enjoy cool and clear weather – perfect weather for trekking and taking photos! They made their way from Tengboche up to Pangboche today, visiting a different Lama at the monastery in Pangboche.

Tomorrow they’ll make their way to Pheriche. This crew is enjoying every step!

Tye Chapman

Happy Thanksgiving From Tengboche

November 23, 2017

Tengboche Monastery (Tye Chapman)

“Happy Thanksgiving to everybody back home” was the message Harry and his team wanted to relay when he checked in from Tengboche.

The team enjoyed a nice trek from Namche up the valley to Tengboche. They visited the famous Tengboche Monastery and likely the local bakery!

All is well in the Khumbu!

Tye Chapman

Success on Chimbo Wraps up Ecuador for 2017

November 22, 2017

: Team on the Summit of Chimborazo

: Chimbo in the sun (Luke Reilly)

Great news this morning â€“ Luke and team reached the summit of Chimborazo.Â No small accomplishment.Â Snow conditions for the last several years have been â€˜less than optimalâ€™ on Chimborazo and itâ€™s simply a more difficult climb these days.Â Thatâ€™s why IMG limits our attempts to 4 climbers plus guides.Â Today, everything fell into place.Â Some new snow, good climbing team members, great leadership and being in the right place at the right time all came together and the result was a great success on the tallest peak in Ecuador.Â Team is already on their way to the town of Banos for a little food and a shower.Â What a great way to cap off an already great trip.Â EVERYONE did their part, including the weather, and the results prove it.

With that, letâ€™s wrap up posting for this trip.Â The team will have Thanksgiving dinner with Romulo and Patricia, at their house.Â It really doesnâ€™t get a lot better.Â Weâ€™ll do this again in February with Emily Johnston and Romulo Cardenas leading the way.Â Join us —– still room for 1 or 2 more.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Phil Ershler

EBC Trekkers Enjoying Namche

November 22, 2017

: Just another day in the Khumbu! (Sonam Dorje)

: The views just keep getting better! (Sonam Dorje)

IMG Guide Harry Hamlin checked-in overnight reporting that he and the team had a great day exploring Namche and the surrounding area. After breakfast they enjoyed some local trekking. They stopped at the Everest View Hotel, for you guessed it, an Everest View. After a few photos,Â they ventured a little further stopping at the Monastery Khumjung and finished the day with a tour of Khunde. They were back in Namche by the early afternoon for a little shopping, some pastries and/or a nap.

Tomorrow they’ll load up and head up the trail to Tengboche where they’ll visit the famous Tengboche Monastery. The views of Ama Dablam and the surrounding mountains only get better!

Tye Chapman

Phakding â†’ Namche Hill → Namche Bazaar

November 21, 2017

: Photo opp!

: The old suspension bridge beneath the new bridge en route to Namche. (Harry Hamlin)

IMG Guide Harry Hamlin checked in from Namche Bazaar reporting that is was another perfect day for trekking in the Khumbu Valley. The team did great on the trek from Phakding, up Namche Hill, into Namche.

They’re at some real altitude now at 11,300ft. which is why they’ll be hanging around Namche for an extra day.Â The body needs a little time to adjust. They won’t be sitting around though, they’ll explore Namche and the surrounding area.

All is well in the Khumbu!

Tye Chapman

EBC Trekkers Arrive In Lukla

October 20, 2017

: The team is ready to go!

: One of the many suspension bridges along the trail to EBC. (Sonam Dorje)

: On the trail to Phakding. (Tye Chapman)

: Across the bridge to Phakding. (Tye Chapman)

Our final team of the autumn trekking season in Nepal all safely arrived in Lukla (9300ft.) with all of their duffel bags. A great start to an Everest Base Camp + Gokyo Loop Trek!

After a cup of tea in Lukla, they hit the trail and are now in Phakding (8500ft.). Trekking from Lukla to Phakding is quite enjoyable, and ironically, generally downhill. The trail winds through the forest and several small villages before arriving at their final suspension bridge of the day which takes them across the Dudh Kosi River into Phakding.Â It’s about a 3 or 4 hour hike which is perfect after their early wake up call at the hotel and flight to Lukla. It’s always nice to hit the trail and stretch the legs!

Tomorrow they’ll get their first dose of altitude as they climb the Namche Hill into Namche Bazaar (11,300ft). More on that tomorrow.

All is well in Phakding!

Tye Chapman

Mexico Team Wraps up, Ecuador Team Gives Antisana a Go

November 20, 2017

: Final Dessert in Mexico City

: IMG Climbers on Antisana (Romulo Cardenas)

: Looking Towards Summit of Antisana (Romulo Cardenas)

: Lunch at Romulo and Patriciaâ€™s Home (Romulo Cardenas)

Time to catch up on news down south.Â Dallas Glass is home and so is the team.Â Success on Orizaba wasnâ€™t easy but Dallas and team did great.Â Icier than expected, the climb (and descent) demanding time, strength and skill.Â The guides and our climbers delivered.Â Result was a safe, successful and incredibly rewarding ascent.Â They earned this one.

Luke, Romulo and team in Ecuador took their best shot at Antisana.Â A mere 300 ft from the summit, they found the final bergschrund just too wide, too broken to get around.Â Super shot on a beautiful mountain but just a pinch short.Â They been enjoying the last of their time in Ecuador visiting old friends of IMG and having lunch at Romuloâ€™s home.Â His wife, Patricia, is a super cook.Â Luke will be saying good-bye to a couple of our climbers who need to get home.Â We have 4 climbers staying to take a shot at Chimborazo.Â They make it home the day after Thanksgiving.Â Weâ€™ll keep you posted as to how it goes.

Phil Ershler