July 27, 2017
Things just keep getting nicer for the Elbrus team. Mike, Igor and Sasha report really nice weather today for their final hike in the Baksan Valley. They even did a bit of bouldering. Tomorrow they say good-bye to Terskol and Sasha and head to Moscow. Mike and Igor will be with the team as they spend a day and a half checking out the sights and the city.
Phil Ershler
July 25, 2017
Greg called in with great news from Mt. Khuiten in far western Mongolia. Summit! The strategy mentioned yesterday paid off. Absolutely perfect climbing conditions. It was “calm and clear for as far as the eye could see”. Their plan was to make their way to back to High Camp to load up the camels then continue on down to Base Camp so they could enjoy a rest day before heading back to Bayan Olgii and eventually Ulaanbaatar.
All smiles for this team!
Tye Chapman
July 25, 2017
The hard work is done for our Elbrus team and they’re now enjoying their last bit of time in the Baksan Valley. They headed out this morning to ride up the lifts at the ski area of Cheget. A little too much in the way of cloud cover to get good views of the mountain but no matter. This team’s already seen the views from the summit.
Moscow is next on the agenda. They’ll need another vacation to rest up from this ‘vacation’. All remains good in Russia!
Phil Ershler
July 24, 2017
You might wonder what a high altitude sherpa climber from Nepal might be doing this summer. Well, IMG Guide Phunuru Sherpa was in Yosemite Valley this past week training with the National Park Service Yosemite Search and Rescue (YOSAR) Team. He reports a lot of great climbing and training up in the Tuolumne Pass area (above the haze from recent forest fires). Next up for Phunuru is a visit to Texas and Colorado to see some friends, and then he is going up to Glacier National Park for more NPS rescue training. Phunuru will be returning back to Nepal after that, to get ready for the IMG Putha Hiunchuli Expedition. Later this year he is also leading the IMG December Kilimanjaro climb.
Eric Simonson
July 24, 2017
Pequeño Alpamayo (Greg Vernovage)
We just got word from IMG Guide Roberto Gomez that our first Bolivia team of the summer just summited Pequeño Alpamayo (17,482ft.). Nice job team!
Next stop Huayna Potosi Base Camp!
Tye Chapman
July 24, 2017
Have you ever stood in three countries at one time? Me neither! Greg checked in this morning to report that he and his team called an audible and opted to climb nearby Nairandal Peak (13,714ft.). They were slated to climb Nairandal Peak after Mt. Khuiten, but given the forecast and the visible wind/precip on Mt. Khuiten it made a ton of sense to swap the climbs, saving the taller of the two for today. Greg reported that it was a great climb. Rolling glacier travel followed by a summit that shares the border with Russia to the north and China to the south, pretty cool stuff.
When Greg called they were safely back in Mongolia at High Camp putting together a gameplan for Mt. Khuiten. Their plan is to wake up about 3am and take a look, and if the forecast holds true, they’ll put their boots on and give it a go. We’ll know more in a few hours.
All is well in Mongolia…and China…and Russia.
Tye Chapman
July 24, 2017
Lead guide Betsy Dain-Owens reports that all is well with the Chopicalqui Expedition.
Yesterday, three members of the team were able to summit Pisco and had a great climb. The rest of the team is doing well and all are currently making their plans for their next summit!
George Dunn
July 24, 2017
Good news from Russia. Everyone summited this morning and they’re already back down to the valley and doing a little celebrating. Weather was clear and reasonably warm, albeit a tad windy. What the heck – it’s Elbrus. Mike reports every was strong and did well. We’ll take it.
Tomorrow will be a good day to spend cleaning up, drying off, and maybe taking a leisurely walk above the Cheget ski area. Could be some great views of the mountain. Regardless, nothing but good news from Russia.
Phil Ershler
July 24, 2017
Lead guide Peter Anderson reports the entire team made it safely to Machu Picchu yesterday. The team spent the morning touring the area and then descended to town for a well deserved celebration lunch followed immediately by showers at the hotel. All is well with the team and after a second optional visit to Machu Picchu today they will board the train for their return to Cusco.
George Dunn
July 23, 2017
Lead guide Peter Anderson called in today from the third and final pass on the Inca Trail today. They were stopped and having lunch as a team in usual fashion with dining tent, table and chairs. Peter reports that all is well. They will be descending down to their camp tonight and then rising early in the morning to approach the Sun Gate and the entrance to Machu Picchu. It will be a day to remember for everyone, touring Machu Picchu and not to forget their first time to take a shower when they check in to the hotel in Aguas Calientes at the end of the day.
George Dunn
