September 3, 2017
IMG guide Charlotte Austin sent a couple of photos from the groups’ tour of the Sacred Valley today.
It looks like all is well and the team is enjoying themselves! Tomorrow they get down to work as they start Day 1 of the trek into Machu Picchu.
George Dunn
September 3, 2017
Salkantay Team in Cusco (Jacqueline Brill)
Peru Salkantay group arrives safely in Cusco, with all their baggage!
We just heard from IMG guide Charlotte Austin that all members of the September 1-10 Salkantay Trek have arrived safely in Cusco with all of their baggage. You couldn’t ask for a better start for a trip to one of the World’s great destinations – Machu  Picchu. Tomorrow the group will tour the Sacred Valley all day for sightseeing and acclimatization.
George Dunn
August 23, 2017
Well that’s a wrap for Bolivia for 2017! Luke checked in this afternoon from La Paz. He and his team have arrived at the hotel and are getting re-sorted and cleaned up. They’ll keep it pretty casual tonight, do a little souvenir shopping tomorrow afternoon then come together for the official farewell/celebration dinner tomorrow night. Flights home start early Friday morning for a lot of the team.
4 big climbs and 4 summits – that’s a job well done!
Tye Chapman
August 22, 2017
Summit of Illimani. (Luke Reilly)
IMG Senior Guide Luke Reilly checked in today with some good news, he and his team summited Illimani! If you’re counting that’s 4 summits in Pico Austria (17,454ft.), Pequeno Alpamayo (17,482ft.), Huayna Potosi (19,974ft.) and Illimani (21,200ft.). That’s some good bang for your buck!
They’re back at Base Camp now and will make their way back to La Paz tomorrow for showers and a celebration dinner. They’ll start making their way home over the next few days.
All is well in Bolivia!
Tye Chapman
August 21, 2017
Illimani from High Camp (Viki Tracey)
IMG Senior Guide Luke Reilly checked in this afternoon from High Camp on Illimani. All continues to go well for him and his team. They are in position to take a shot at the summit tomorrow morning. The weather looks good and the team is ready! We’ll hear from Luke again tomorrow once they’ve returned to High Camp.
Go get it!
Tye Chapman
August 20, 2017
Illimani with La Paz in the Foreground (Greg Vernovage)
IMG Senior Guide Luke Reilly checked in from Bolivia. All continues to go smoothly. A few team members are en route home while Luke and the Illimani Extension team members made their way to Illimani Base Camp.
Luke said they may just kick back and relax and take a rest day tomorrow.
Tye Chapman
August 18, 2017
Luke checked in from La Paz after a great climb of Huayna Potosi. They’re settled in at the hotel, showering up then heading to lunch and a probably some afternoon souvenir shopping. A few team members are heading home tomorrow while others are sticking around for the Illimani extension.
With some reasonable wifi Luke was able to send some photos, enjoy!
Tye Chapman
August 17, 2017
The summit ridge of Huayna Potosi. (Greg Vernovage)
IMG Senior Guide Luke Reilly called in from High Camp on Huayna Potosi after a successful climb to the summit! Some snow fell overnight but as the sun came up the clouds dissipated giving the team great climbing conditions. He mentioned that the climbing on the summit ridge was especially spectacular. Once on top they soaked in amazing views Illimani and other surrounding peaks.
Luke’s plan was to rest up for a couple hours at High Camp before moving on down to Base Camp this afternoon. Tomorrow they’ll load up and should be back in La Paz for lunch!
Tye Chapman
August 16, 2017
Huayna Potosi (Greg Vernovage)
Luke checked in from Campamento Argentino reporting that all is well, though they’re socked in with some fog at the moment. They’re hopeful the weather improves overnight for their summit attempt early tomorrow morning. We’ll know more when he calls tomorrow afternoon!
Tye Chapman
August 16, 2017
Woo Hoo! (Photo Dave Feinleib)
After a brief blip when a bridge high on the mountain collapsed on August 12, causing one IMG climb to miss the summit on August 13, a concerted effort by all three guide services resulted in the reestablishment of the route up Rainier. We are now back in action with the results to show for it. Yesterday’s climb on August 15 summited 7 of 8 climbers. The summit team is pictured here, thanks to Dave Feinleib, a member of the group.
The weather remains clear and calm for the most part, but still cold on summit mornings! We are still requiring that all of our climbers bring everything on the IMG Rainier gear list, it is all used.
Thanks to the guides on yesterday’s climb who helped put this effort together: Sara Cohen, Mike Haft, Kim Haft and Josh McDowell. Thanks also to IMG guides who were working behind the scenes to help put in the route. Jason Edwards and Phil Nicoletti climbed through the night ahead of the team to help shovel and work on the new trail reroute. Justin Merle and Rikki Dunn climbed yesterday afternoon after the climb descended and continued work on the route to create a good solid path all the way to the top.
Thank you, IMG guides! Your efforts are often behind the scenes, but they don’t go unrecognized.
George Dunn
