July 27, 2016
Always nice to see our climbers helping to bring attention to a good cause. JDRF — Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Way to go, Keith.
Over in Africa, the team has said good-bye to all the Chagga crew who helped them reach the top and is heading for Arusha and their flight to the Serengeti. They will be sitting by the campfire, beer or gin and tonic in hand and listening to the night sounds of the Serengeti before long.
Phil Ershler
July 26, 2016
Andy checked in from Base Camp on Huayna Potosi at the Refugio. The Team broke camp early and took off for Huayna Potosi this morning. After a quick stop in El Alto for a fresh food resupply, they continued up road for Huayna Base Camp. This Refugio is one of the nicest I have stayed in. Yolanda is the owner and she welcomes everyone with a smile and a clean place to crash.
A good dinner and casual breakfast, the Team will repack and head to High Camp tomorrow. Weather continues to be consistent, consistently beautiful. They are feeling great and getting closer to that 6000-meter mark!
Greg Vernovage
July 26, 2016
IMG Guide Austin Shannon reported in today from the Picket Range, one of the more remote locations in the North Cascades.
So far they have made ascents of Mt. Degenhardt and McMillan Spire. Blisters put the kibosh on a third ascent, so instead, the team has decided to hike out and opt for some rock climbing at Goat Wall near Mazama in the Methow Valley. Sounds like a great trip with lots of adventure!
George Dunn
July 26, 2016
Say Cheese!
IMG guide Peter Anderson called in yesterday to report their safe arrival at Machu Picchu. They had an early pre-dawn wakeup so they could hike to the Sun Gate and then descend down to Machu Picchu in the early morning light. The group toured Machu Picchu and then took the bus down to their hotel in the nearby town of Aguas Calientes. Showers and a good meal for all!
Today, the team headed back up early again for half the team to hike up Machu Picchu Peak and the other half to continue their tour of the fabulous site at Machu Picchu. Later today the group catches the train back to Cusco trades off for a private bus partway their and then back to the hotel in Cusco.
Another great trip is winding down in Peru, the group as usual, will bring home memories to last a lifetime.
Congrats to all,
George Dunn
July 26, 2016
Happy Birthday Jo!
Mike reports that all’s good in Terskol. Happiness is Elbrus is the review mirror. Team has another day in Terskol before heading to Moscow.
And, reports have it that Jo celebrated her birthday. Happy Birthday, Jo! Hope it’s a memorable one!
Phil Ershler
July 25, 2016
Andy just checked in with a happy climbing Team at Pequeno Alpamayo Base Camp. The route was a bit more exciting this year than the past. The Team gained the tongue of the glacier and then worked their way back and forth to end run the crevasses. That was a window to what the conditions would be like on the summit ridge.
When I asked about the summit ridge, “It was icy and we fixed the whole thing.†Said Andy. Once on top, they Team enjoyed great views of both Huayna Potosi and Illimani.
Great job everyone!
Greg Vernovage
July 25, 2016
Nearing the summit of Kilimanjaro (Photo Dustin Balderach)
We received a call from IMG Guide, Charlotte Austin, this morning from the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro. She had great news for us. Everyone who left Barafu high camp has summited Kilimanjaro! Now they have successfully descended down to Mweka camp; way down to the ‘thick air’ of 10,000 ft for their last night on the mountain. Everyone is going to sleep great tonight. That’s a guarantee! Summit day on Kili is just like summit day on any other big mountain – a huge day. After 16+ hours of work and many nights spent much higher, sleeping in the forest at 10,000 feet feels amazing!
Congrats to the team on climbing to the Roof of Africa!
Dustin Balderach
July 25, 2016
More good news received from Mike and crew over on Elbrus.
Phil,
We just got back down to the Valley. The team is psyched. Apparently, almost no one had summited since the 15th and today winds had to be 100mph on the summit so wouldn’t have gone, so we were lucky to sneak it in yesterday when we could. The team is getting cleaned up and we’ll head out for lunch and then Russian banya (sauna) Â this afternoon. Here are a few pics from the climb.
Mike
Our congratulations to Kristin, Joanne, Varun, Aaron, Randy, Anders, Danijela and Gina. And, of course, our thanks to Mike, Igor and Sasha for a job well done. A couple of days now of sightseeing, relaxing and hiking remain in the Baksan Valley and then it’s off to Moscow. All is well.
Phil Ershler
July 24, 2016
Pequeno Alpamayo from first summit (Greg Vernovage)
Just off the phone with Andy from Pequeno Alpamayo Base Camp. The Team went out to the tongue of the glacier to train for their climb of Pequeno Alpamayo. Conditions on the mountain are a little dryer this year but Andy reported that it was going to be a good climb.
The plan is to walk at 4:30 am. The team is looking good and they are ready to climb Pequeno Alpamayo!
Greg Vernovage
July 24, 2016
To the true summit.
100% on top and all back at the hut. That was the word from Mike Hamill today. Elbrus was a big success. Not perfect weather but good enough. The team did well.
One final night at the hut and then back to Terskol in the morning. This is great news.
Phil Ershler
