July 23, 2017
Elbrus Summit
First shot at the summit was a ‘no go’. Weather was nasty, nasty enough that the team did not leave the hut early Sunday morning. Thunder, lightning, snow, wind – they got it all.
Time to hunker down, regroup and stay focused. 10 hrs later there than Pacific Coast time so team will be getting some more rest this evening and hoping the mountain decides to be nice early Monday morning.
Phil Ershler
Sunday, 23 July
Summit Morning
Yesterday was preparing for game day. Team is ready to take a shot at the top this morning. Weather has been reasonable and we hope that continues. It’s Elbrus, so we’ll see. Two contingency days are built into the itinerary so the team has more than one shot. Let’s hope one is all they need. Long day coming up but, with any luck, a highly rewarding one. Time to snag one of the Seven and stand on the top of Europe.
Wish them luck.
Phil Ershler
July 23, 2017
High Camp on Mt. Khuiten (Jethro Robinson)
Greg called in from High Camp this morning (his evening). He reports that all is well on Mt. Khuiten. He and his team enjoyed an active rest day yesterday exploring the area around Base Camp, spending a good bit of time out on the Potaniin Glacier exploring and training. Today was time to get a little more serious and rope-up for the ascent up to High Camp, which is at about 11,000ft. The climb up to High Camp was primarily on dry glacier and some rock and went without issue. The team is now tucked in for the evening, eyeing a 3am wake-up call to check the weather, and hopefully give the summit a shot! The weather today was cloudy with some wind, as is forecasted tonight, but the extended forecast is in their favor. Time will tell. Greg and Charlotte and our Mongolian team have things well under control.
Tye Chapman
July 21, 2017
Well Greg woke me up again today with a sat phone call from Mongolia… I can’t tell if he is just ignoring the time zone difference or is enjoying waking me up every morning. Either way they’re having a blast! He reports that the team enjoyed an amazing 5.5hr hike to Base Camp today. It makes it a little more enjoyable when there are camels carrying your gear!
The mountain was hidden for the better part of the day but as they crested the ridge before BC Mt. Khuiten was right there in front of them. Greg said they all just stopped and took it all in. The Team’s Base Camp is near the lateral moraine of Mongolia’s longest glacier, the Potaniin Glacier (14-20km long depending on who you ask). Greg said it best when he said, “This place is absolutely incredible. People need to see this part of the world.”
Tye Chapman
July 21, 2017
Today’s their move day to the hut on Elbrus. Mike left us a note early today saying morning was very clear and that all were anxious to get up there. At about the 13,500’ level, the hut serves as a great place to get a couple of days sleep and exercise and a more serious altitude prior to their summit attempt. Tonight at the hut and tomorrow will be another hike with one more night at the hut. Then it’s game day.
We’ll keep you posted.
Phil Ershler
July 20, 2017
They’re now settled in for the evening in the Condoriri region near 14,000ft. Next stop is Condoriri Base Camp where they’ll continue to acclimatize and do a little training to brush up on their climbing fundamentals.
All smiles in Bolivia!
Tye Chapman
July 20, 2017
The summits of Mount Khuiten (14,350 ft) and Nairandal Peak (13,714 ft) are the “Triple Point” where China, Russia, Mongolia come together in the Altai Mountains.
Greg Vernovage called in this morning (his evening) to report he and his team arrived in Bayan-Ölgii without issue. The flight from Ulaanbaatar was just over 2 hours and the subsequent drive to Mt. Khuiten National Park was a bit long (6 hours) but generally pleasant. Along the drive over the rolling hills of far western Mongolia they saw golden eagles, yaks, horses, cows, goats, and of course camels. They arrived at Mt. Khuiten National Park with plenty of time to settle into camp and enjoy a nice dinner of fresh salad, chicken and rice.
Tomorrow they’ll load up the camels and head up to their official Base Camp which should take them about 5 hours. They’ll have a few stream crossings to contend with but it doesn’t sound like anything they can’t handle. A rest/acclimatization day follows.
All continues to go well in Mongolia.
Tye Chapman
July 19, 2017
We had a fun day in Ulaanbataar today. It started off with a visit and tour of the Gandantegchinlen Monastery where a 26.5 meter high statue of one of the main deities stands. Very impressive. After the Monastery, we strolled through the main square where Mongolia won its independence through peaceful protests in 1990. At the end of the square is the Parliament building and a giant statue of Genghis Khan. We then went to the Mongolian History Museum but were slowed down by an afternoon downpour of rain which is quite rare according to our tour guide.
This evening, before dinner, we visited a local theater where we saw cultural dancing and music. Highlights included ancient musical instruments that sound fantastic, a contortionist that made us all hurt a little bit and left us in awe and of course, we heard some incredible throat singing.
We are up and out the door early tomorrow morning. The plan is to head to the airport at 4:45am and be the first in line for our flight to Bayan-Ölgii.
Put this place on your list of places to visit, it is great so far!
Greg Vernovage
July 19th, 2017
Let’s get everyone caught up with IMG Senior Guide,  Mike Hamill, and team in the Caucasus mountains of Russia. Obviously, they’re there to climb Elbrus, first and foremost. However, an Elbrus trip needs more than just the summit to be a really great adventure.
The team met in St. Petersburg and spent their first two nights there. Remarkably, all members and all luggage arrived, more or less, at the same time. That’s a good thing. A day and a half touring St. Petersburg is also a good thing. Would be a shame to travel that far and not get a taste of both St. Petersburg and of Moscow. A morning visit to St. Isaac’s Cathedral was followed by an afternoon flight to Mineralnye Vody and about a 4 hr drive to the village of Terskol, in the Baksan Valley. Now it’s a couple of days of acclimatization/training prior to going up onto the mountain itself. Then it will be more acclimatizing and more training before taking their summit shot.
Mike doesn’t guide alone on Elbrus. He is joined by two great Russian friends/guides – Igor Tsaruk and Sasha Sak. People like this make trips special. Check out their resumes here.
As we often say – so far, so good.
Phil Ershler
July 19, 2017
The view from the summit of the Matterhorn. (Aaron Mainer)
IMG Guides Aaron Mainer, Andy Polloczek and Miles Smart report they summited the Matterhorn with their climbers yesterday. Looks like it was a beautiful day!
The team is back in town, resting today and well content with their success.
George Dunn
