Great Day of Trekking!

January 7, 2026

Blue skies on the trail (Max Bond)

The team just pulled in to Casa de Piedras (10,629′) late this afternoon (Argentina time), and we promptly received the following dispatch from IMG guide Max Bond along with some fresh photos: “All is well! Another incredible day trekking! Everyone feeling good, and we got in just before the afternoon showers hit!”.

: Hiking along the river (Max Bond)

: Time for a break! (Max Bond)

: New bridge crossing the river (Max Bond)

: Just in time for dinner (Max Bond)

After a solid night’s rest, tomorrow’s plan is to pack up and head to Plaza Argentina basecamp (13,800’/4198m).

So far so good!

Team Arrives to First Camp

January 6, 2026

Hiking up the Vacas River to the first camp (Max Bond)

Quick check in from IMG Guide Max Bond, “Excellent first day, we made it to Pampa de Leñas in great style! Everyone is feeling good!” The team hiked up the Vacas River today and reached first camp (9,678 ft/2864 m). Tomorrow they’ll make their way to Casa de Piedra (10,629 ft/3245 m).

: Mules loaded with gear (Max Bond)

: The trail running parallel to the riverbed (Max Bond)

: Fixing a snack (Max Bond)

: Refueling during a break (Max Bond)

: Resting at the campsite (Max Bond)

: Lunch time in the tent (Max Bond)

All is well!

Aconcagua Team Is On The Way!

January 5, 2026

The team at Punta del Inca (Max Bond)

IMG lead guide Max Bond reports that the team arrived on schedule to Mendoza Argentina, with all their luggage. Well done, that’s the first challenge of the trip! Yesterday they got their climbing permits, did some errands around town, and finished getting all packed up. This morning they traveled by van up into the mountains to Puenta del Inca (9000 ft), near the pass that leads west to neighboring Chile. Tonight they will be glamping at a luxury tented camp, and getting their first taste of altitude.

Punta del Inca lodge (Max Bond)

Glamping in style (Max Bond)

Everyone is doing well and they are ready to start hiking tomorrow. So far so good!

Ecuador Team Wraps It Up

November 12, 2025

Team dinner, wearing their alpaca wool ponchos (Romulo Cardenas)

Team members not continuing on the optional climb of Chimborazo parted ways from the rest of the group after a “goodbye” dinner on Monday night.

Early this morning the Chimborazo climbers reached 5800 meters (just over 19,000 ft), then turned around due to poor weather conditions on the mountain. The weather is not projected to improve in the next few days, so the decision was made to head back to Quito.

: Climbers approach shelter (Romulo Cardenas)

: Early morning steps on Chimborazo (Romulo Cardenas)

: One step at a time (Romulo Cardenas)

Everyone is safe and well, back in Quito and enjoying some well deserved rest. Well done, team!

Full Weekend In Ecuador

November 10, 2025

Stunning image of Cotopaxi, stars and mountain reflecting in Limpiopungo Lagoon (Romulo Cardenas)

It was a busy weekend in Ecuador! Friday was spent in San Cuco where the the team enjoyed fine Ecuadorian cuisine and local fruit, followed by a visit with famed Ecuadorian explorer, climber, photographer, journalist and pilot, Jorge Anhalzer. Jorge, who is well known for his contribution in photographing the South American landscape, personally autographed some of his books for the team!

: Enjoying Ecuadorian cuisine (Romulo Cardenas)

: The team meets Jorge Anhalzer (Romulo Cardenas)

On Saturday the team hiked to the hut on Cotopaxi and prepared themselves for their summit attempt after dinner and early bedtime. After an early start on Sunday, the team attempted Cotopaxi but unfortunately poor weather conditions prevented the team from summiting.

Today the team is back in sight-seeing mode in San Agustin where they visited historic Inca ruins and a flower plantation.

: At historic Hacienda San Agustin (Romulo Cardenas)

: Meeting the locals (Romulo Cardenas)

Team members sticking around for the optional Chimborazo climb will continue on to the next hut tomorrow while others will depart for home.

All is well!

Ecuador Team Summits Cayambe

November 6, 2025

IMG Team on the summit of Cayambe (Romulo Cardenas)

Romulo reports that the team reached the summit of Cayambe!

: Early morning start with city lights below (Romulo Cardenas)

: Crossing the snowfield (Romulo Cardenas)

: On the way down (Romulo Cardenas)

After returning to the hut, they’ll pack up their gear and head downhill to Papallacta, where they’ll soak in the famous hot springs and enjoy fine dining at the hotel. Well done, team!

Team Ready To Climb Cayambe

November 5, 2025

IMG team takes a break to pose (Romulo Cardenas)

Romulo reports from Ecuador that the team spent the day training on the lower slopes of Cayambe, brushing up on some basic mountaineering skills and roped travel with crampons and ice axes.

: Stepping into the snowline (Romulo Cardenas)

: Skills in action (Romulo Cardenas)

: Traversing an icy landscape (Romulo Cardenas)

After an early dinner in the hut tonight, they’re off to bed. The plan is to wake up around 11pm (their time) and start walking uphill by midnight!

Team enjoys early dinner (Romulo Cardenas)

All is well!

Busy Days Acclimatizing In Ecuador

November 4, 2025

Trailhead to Imbabura (Romulo Cardenas)

Yesterday the team got an early start with another acclimatization hike (through some fog) to the summit of Imbabura (15,109’), followed by a delicious dinner and sorting & packing gear.

: A break in between the cloud layers (Romulo Cardenas)

: Hiking through the fog (Romulo Cardenas)

: At the top of Imbabura! (Romulo Cardenas)

Today the plan is to drive to the hut on Cayambe and discuss plans for the next summit.

All is well!

Ecuador Team Tours Otavalo

November 2, 2025

IMG Ecuador Team with Lake Cuicocha in the background (Romulo Cardenas)

Weather has been hit and miss with intermittent rains the first couple of days while the team explored the local sites. Saturday, the team crossed the Equator by vehicle in heavy rain. They snuck in a good hike around Lake Cuicocha while the sun peeked out from the clouds.

: Hiking the Fuya Fuya trail (Romulo Cardenas)

: IMG Ecuador Team (Romulo Cardenas)

: Peering through the foggy trail (Romulo Cardenas)

After a hike to the top of Fuya Fuya today, the team visted the local indigenous cemetary at the famous Otavalo Market where celebrations for Día de los Muertos were in full swing.

: Locals celebrating Día de los Muertos (Romulo Cardenas)

: Day of the Dead bread at Otavalo Cemetary (Romulo Cardenas)

: Musicians entertaining visitors at Otavalo Cemetary (Romulo Cardenas)

All is well!

Ecuador Volcanoes Team In Quito!

October 31, 2025

IMG Ecuador Team (Romulo Cardenas)

IMG Ecuador guide Romulo Cardenas reported in from Quito, everyone has arrived safe and sound! Today the team visited historic churches and local Mindalae Museum in Quito, where they stopped for a nice lunch.

: Team posing in front of Cathedral (Romulo Cardenas)

: Lunch at the museum (Romulo Cardenas)

: All smiles heading to Otavalo (Romulo Cardenas)

They’re on their way now to Otavalo where they’ll check in to their hotel and rest up for another big day tomorrow.

All is well in Ecuador!