Summit cross atop Aconcagua
December 31, 2016
Pleased to announce that Jonathan, Martin and their crew summited Aconcagua today. Winds weren’t perfect but things were good enough. Everyone’s back at high camp and tucked in for the night.
Winds should continue to increase for the next few days so the team will try to get out of high camp early and make their descent to Plaza Mulas. This is great news. We proud of them all and happy for their success.
Great way to end 2016.
Phil Ershler
December 30, 2016
One of many postcard moments in Torres del Paine National Park. (Photo by Tye Chapman)
It was a busy day for IMG Teams in the Southern Hemisphere…
In Chilean Patagonia, IMG Senior Guide Chris Meder reports that all is well on day 1 of their trek in Torres del Paine National Park. “The highlight of the day was when the clouds broke just as we pulled into the towers. It was perfect!” Tomorrow they’ll head up into the Silence Valley where, due to a special permit we’re able to obtain, where they will likely be the only trekkers on the trail.
3000km north of our Patagonia team we have our Aconcagua teams who also reported in this afternoon. Up at high camp is Jonathan Schrock’s team who is in position to take a shot at the summit in the morning. Back down at Base Camp is Josh McDowell’s team who pulled into Plaza Argentina in good form earlier today. They’ll likely take a rest day tomorrow.
And roughly (and i mean roughly) 8000km south of our Aconcagua teams is our Vinson Team. These guys flew from Punta Arenas, Chile to Union Glacier, Antarctica and then from UG to Vinson Base Camp yesterday. Today they made to move to Camp 1. That’s covering some ground!
Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve…these teams will ring in the new year in style!
Tye Chapman
December 29, 2016
Let’s do a few updates on team progress in Argentina and Antarctica.
Josh McDowell and team have a reasonably straightforward day with the second day of their approach to Base Camp on Aconcagua. Casa Piedra is where they’re headed for the night. Mules are still carrying the group gear which means light packs for the team. No steep sections today, just a gradual elevation gain to camp. They cross the Vacas River early in the morning via a nice bridge and then follow the right side of the river right to camp. Couldn’t get lost if you tried.
Higher up, Jonathan Schrock and crew have worked out the plan for their summit attempt. They’re going to employ a couple of porters and move into high camp tomorrow. Forecasts show winds increasing a good bit on Sunday so the team wants to get into position to take a shot at the top on Saturday. The crew’s doing well and the additional porter assistance will make the move day much more reasonable. Let’s see how it goes.
Lastly, I think Greg Vernovage and his Vinson team were able to fly onto the Ice this morning. No news from Greg means he’s likely sitting on the IL 76 and headed south. Always nice when we can fly in exactly on schedule, if that is indeed the case.
Bottom line, both Aconcagua teams and our Vinson are doing well and making progress.
Phil Ershler
December 29, 2016
Chris Meder checked in today from southern Chile:
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy! (Photo by Chris Meder)
“We stretched our legs a little bit today to get ready to launch on our trek tomorrow. We rented some bikes and toured Puerto Natales. We rode out along the water for some photo ops of local wildlife a distant view of Torres del Paine Massif. After our ride we stopped at The Indigo for lunch, a nice little spot. This town has a ton of good, rustic, cozy spots, I love it. Right now the team is out picking up some souvenirs, showering up for dinner and finishing up packing for the start of the trek.”
They’ll be picked up in the morning and will be walking by noon. They’ll head straight for what I call postcard moment number 1: The Towers a.k.a. Los Torres del Paine!
Tye Chapman
December 29, 2016
Kili Team at the Safari Lodge, Ngorongoro Crater
We are wrapping it up here at the Ngorongoro Crater after one great trip.
Yesterday we had a spectacular safari drive to (and into) the Crater, as
well as visiting the Olduvai gorge and the Maasai village. Today we will be
heading back to Arusha where we have planned time for shopping at the Arusha
Cultural Center, then lunch and our final goodbyes before the long flight
home. Happy New Year from Tanzania!
Max Bunce
December 28, 2016
The team in Punta Arenas.
IMG Senior Guide Chris Meder checked in from Puerto Natales, Chile this afternoon. He reports that all trekkers arrived with all their bags yesterday afternoon, always a great way to start a trip. After quick introductions they made their way to La Luna for a nice dinner, then capped the night at the Sky Bar with beers overlooking the Straights of Magellan. Not a bad way to start off a trip!
This morning they took short a walking tour of Punta Arenas to touch the toe of the local Magellan Memorial (for good luck), exchange a little money and grab a few snacks for the road trip to Puerto Natales. After the drive, they knocked out gear checks. Now they’re at dinner now at La Guanaca, a nice little artisan pizzaria.
Tomorrow is both a contingency day for lost luggage (not an issue with this crew) and a free day to explore town a bit. Puerto Natales is a very friendly little walkable town with great shops & scenery. My bet is that some of them rent bikes tomorrow and cover a little ground to take in the sights. More on tomorrow, tomorrow.
All is well in Chilean Patagonia!
Tye Chapman
December 28, 2016
Cargo section of the IL76
The toughest part of many expeditions is getting everyone together in one place with all their luggage at the same time. Greg has everyone together but a couple of bags didn’t want to cooperate. Greg has been doing a yeoman’s job of pushing the airlines and organizing ‘Plan B’, just in case. Looks like, if all goes according to plan, bags will catch up today! That’s a big deal as, again with any luck, the IL 76 flies to the Ice tomorrow morning. Regardless, ‘Plan B’ has been organized and is in place, just in case. The IL is getting loaded today. Final briefing is today, final hotel night is today, final restaurant meal is today. This team wants to celebrate New Year’s on the Ice!
Phil Ershler
December 28, 2016
Route above C1
Jonathan checked in just now. Carry made up to C2 and now everyone is back at C1 for the night. “Climb high, sleep low†is still the right way to climb big mountains. Team will likely make a move to C2 tomorrow, provided everyone is feeling reasonable and weather continues to hold.
Phil Ershler
December 28, 2016
Josh and Team at Penitentes
Josh and crew are on the trail. They sent us this photo early today from Penitentes, just prior to starting their 3 day approach. The mules make it relatively easy, as members only need to carry gear needed for that day’s walk. Josh said the crew was ‘chomping at the bit’ to get out the door.
Phil Ershler
December 28, 2016
Wildlife in Ngorongoro Crater (Dustin Balderach)
We just heard from IMG senior guide Max Bunce over on the Serengeti. This morning (Tanzanian time) the team will leave the Serengeti for their next stop, the Ngorongoro Crater. The team has seen a lot of wildlife so far and more is on the way! With the leopard they saw the first day, and lions today, they’ve now seen 4 of the ‘Big 5’. Hopefully they’ll be able to check that last one off the list over in the Ngorongoro Crater later today. Rhinos are tough to spot, but the Crater is a great place to sneak a peek at one. The Crater is absolutely packed full of wildlife and its one of my favorite places on the safari. After an afternoon exploring the Crater, the team will head out of the Crater and to their luxury accommodations for their last night. I know they’ll have some stories to tell over dinner tonight! Tomorrow the team will head back to Arusha for some final shopping before their flights home. What a trip it has been!
Dustin Balderach
