From the Top of Mexico

November 17th, 2017

Pico de Orizaba

Nice sat phone call early this morning from Mexico — Dallas Glass called from the summit of Orizaba to let me know that all was well at the top of Mexico.Â Not a lot of folks recognize that Orizaba is actually the third highest peak in North America, topped only by Denali and Logan.Â Regardless, Dallas said they got a little bit of a late start as the mountain was a little â€˜firmâ€™ right now.Â They had some running belays and even â€˜pitched outâ€™ a section or two just to be on the safe side.

They will take their time getting back down to the hut, where theyâ€™ll be met by their 4 wheel drivers and vehicles.Â Itâ€™s just short of two hours back to the town of Tlachichuca and showers and clean clothes and cold drinks and a nice, home-cooked, sit-down dinner with the Reyes family.Â Theyâ€™ll all sleep well tonight.

Phil Ershler

On to the Next Summits

November 16th, 2017

Cayambe Summit (Matt Oâ€™Bryan)

Time and recuperate is the order of the day for both our teams â€“ in Ecuador and in Mexico.Â Our Mexico crew had a hotel night in the city of Puebla and traveled today to the village of Tlachichuca.Â After a nice lunch prepared by the Reyes family, they headed in 4-wheel trucks up to the high hut on Orizaba.Â Tomorrowâ€™s summit day again for this crew.

Team in Ecuador is going to tackle Antisana next.Â Just a little south of the equator, itâ€™s a beautiful mountain at just shy of 19,000 ft.Â Tomorrow night or Saturday night, depending on weather.

Both teams are still doing well with everyone reasonably healthy, and both groups optimistic about their chances for a second successful summit climb.

Phil Ershler

Mexico and Ecuador

November 15th, 2017

Team on summit of Cayambe â€“ 19,000â€™

Good news from both IMG expeditions in South America but only one photo, so far.Â Luke, Romulo and their Ecuador team reported â€œa little bit of everythingâ€ from a weather standpoint this morning but no matter —- they stood on top of Cayambe and headed already for the hot springs in the village of Papallacta.

In Mexico, Dallas reported similar success on Ixta but his weather report was â€œwe had pretty much perfect weatherâ€.Â Theyâ€™re making their way to the city of Puebla.

â€˜Iffyâ€™ weather or â€˜perfectâ€™ weather â€“ the important news is that both teams are off the mountains and safe and that each was successful in reaching their goal!!

Phil Ershler

Ecuador Team Heads to Cayambe

November 13, 2017

: Team on the Equator

: At the Top of Imbabura

: Top of Fuya Fuya

While Dallas Glass is with our Mexico expedition, Luke Reilly is down in Ecuador, leading another IMG team to his favorite local.Â Nice to report that all is well on the equator.Â Luke and team arrived without issue and have been spending the last few days touring Quito and the town of Otavalo and putting in the time/effort to work on their acclimatization.

Fuya Fuya and Imbabura were their acclimatization hikes outside of Otavalo.Â Then it was on to Cayambe and the high hut there.Â Thatâ€™s where the team is tonight.

Luke reports a strong group and a congenial one.Â Allâ€™s good down south.

Phil Ershler

Mexico Team in Place for First Summit Bid

November 13, 2017

A Smoking Popo from the Slopes of Ixta (Charlotte Austin)

IMG Senior Guide, Dallas Glass and team are off to a good start down in sunny Mexico.Â Had a brief â€˜scareâ€™ with one of our members missing both duffels but a little patience and persistence and all was resolved, albeit at 3:00 in the morning.Â Resolved is in the key word.

Team met in Mexico City on Saturday evening and headed out for their first dinner together.Â The evening started at the Maria Cristina Hotel with a little meet and greet, followed by a review of the weekâ€™s itinerary, dinner and then to bed. Â They got out on schedule Sunday morning and headed to Amecameca and onward to Cortez Pass for their first acclimatization hike.Â Did the same the next day but continued up towards high camp with a carry, mostly of water.Â Now the crewâ€™s at high camp on Ixta, all doing well and feeling pretty strong.Â Tomorrow is their summit attempt.Â If the weather holds, they should do well.

Phil Ershler

Ama Dablam Team Back In Lukla

November 13, 2017

The runway at the Lukla Airport. (Bhushan Karnik)

Things are winding down nicely for the Ama Dablam Team. Over the weekend they trekked from Ama Dablam Base Camp to Namche and then on to Lukla. Lukla is the end of the trail for these guys. If all goes as planned they’ll be on a plane to Kathmandu tomorrow morning (this evening PST).Â Once in Kathmandu they’ll get cleaned up, do the duffle shuffle, and hopefully get their flights changed to get home a little earlier.

All is well in Lukla!

Tye Chapman

Ama Dablam Team At Base Camp

November 10, 2017

Ama Dablam. (Tye Chapman)

The Ama Dablam Team has returned to Base Camp!Â The Team pulled into camp, had an early dinner and were excited to get some well deserved rest.Â Congratulations to all the members of the 2017 Ama Dablam Team.Â What a great climb!

The plan for the Team is to get a good night’s rest and pack up camp tomorrow.Â They will head downhill to Namche the day after tomorrow and then on to Lukla.

All is well at Ama Dablam Base Camp!

Greg Vernovage

Ama Dablam Summits

November 9, 2017

: 2017 IMG Ama Dablam Team. Left to Right: Adam Clark, Chewwang Lindu, Ang Karma Sherpa, Tracee Metcalfe, Phunuru Sherpa, Austin Shannon, David Weirich, Harry Hamlin. (Photo by Kevin Kayl)

: IMG Sherpa Guide Team and Austin with Everest and Lhotse behind. Left to Right: Chewwang Lindu, Sherpa Fura, Ang Karma, Phunuru and Austin Shannon. (Photo by Kevin Kayl)

: Austin Shannon on Ama Dablam Summit with Everest and Lhotse. (Phunuru Sherpa)

Austin and Phunuru called from the summit of Ama Dablam last night to let us know that it was a beautiful day on top!Â The Team made great time from High Camp and were rewarded with great views all the way around.Â The guys were able to get off a few photos before heading down.Â The Team made it down to Camp 2 for the night and will descend to Base Camp in the morning.

What a great accomplishment for everyone.Â Stay focused and we will look forward to hearing from them when they return to Ama Dablam Base Camp.

All is well on Ama Dablam!

Greg Vernovage

Ama Dablam Team At High Camp

November 8, 2017

: Looking down at Camp 2 on Ama Dablam (Austin Shannon)

: Phunuru cleaning up the fixed lines on Ama Dablam (Ang Karma Sherpa)

: Climbing the Grey Couloir (Austin Shannon)

The Ama Dablam Team checked in from High Camp this morning.Â Another great day and the Team has moved into position for the summit!Â Hydrate, eat, get some rest and look after each other is top priority at High Camp.Â The Team is doing great and very excited to start their final push to the summit.Â The Team has been working their way up the mountain and clearing old rope and tending to the new rope to help make the route clearer and help with descent.

The plan is to start climbing at 4:00am with a goal of standing on top between 7 or 8 in the morning.Â Thanks to everyone following along at home.Â We are all pulling for the Ama Dablam Team!

Greg Vernovage

Ama Dablam Team At Camp 2

: Looking down the Khumbu Valley with Pangboche, Tengboche and Phortse around the corner. (Phunuru Sherpa)

: Taboche, Cholatse, Cho Oyu and Lobuche from Ama Dablam Camp 2 (Phunuru Sherpa)

: IMG Guide Harry Hamlin at Camp 1 on Ama Dablam sporting a classy mustache with the Yellow Tower behind. (Austin Shannon)

Austin and Phunuru checked in this morning after a great climb to Camp 2 (19,350 ft) on their summit rotation.Â This is a tough day of climbing but the Team has done a great job and they are now tucked into Camp 2 above the Yellow Tower.Â What makes the climbing so challenging from Camp 1 to Camp 2 is a combination of exposure and altitude.Â As the Team approaches 20,000 ft, they must negotiate the Yellow Tower.Â The Yellow Tower section represents one of the great accomplishments for the climb.Â It is technically demanding and requires the Team to focus.Â The reward is pulling into camp with a great sense of accomplishment and the opportunity to get into the tent!

This Team has been working hard and they are enjoying great weather and views.Â Tomorrow, the Team will head to Camp 2.7 (20,800 ft) and be in position for the summit!

Greg Vernovage