July 5, 2016
Shira Plateau Camp
“Great weather, a belly full of fried chicken and everyone feeling great†– the infamous words of IMG guide Charlotte Austin as she checked in via sat phone this morning (Seattle time here and bed time there). They are at Shira Camp, approx. 12,500ft. and it’s the first night with completely unobstructed views of the mountain. Her message says it all!
Phil Ershler
July 4, 2016
Next stop Machame Camp.
Charlotte was on the sat phone with me at about 8 am (Seattle time) to let me know the team reached Machame Camp (10,000’) in great style. Good everything – team and weather. Nothing to do but simply enjoy. We wished each other a happy 4th of July and she got back to work. Couldn’t be going better in Tanzania.
Phil Ershler
July 4, 2016
Acclimatization Hike (Jason Edwards)
Greetings and Happy Fourth of July from Huaraz, Peru! Our team of 4 arrived late afternoon yesterday, after flights from Seattle to Dallas, and then onward to Lima. We were met there by my good friend Maximo and then we drove north-east for 8 hours to Huaraz, located at 10,200′. Everyone is doing well and all our gear arrived, so we’re good to go for our trek.
For an acclimatization hike, today we trekked for 3 hours to an impressive alpine lake in the Coridillera Negra, which presents spectacular views of the Cordillera Blanca. Peaks in the Blanca range in height from 15,000′ to nearly 23,000′, so the white snow-fluted peaks rival the Himalaya. It’s winter here, so the air is cool and clean feeling, and the sun makes it perfect for trekking. Well that’s it for today; back to packing for our trek in the Cordillera Huayhuash in 2 days; we can’t wait to launch!
All our best for the holiday!
Jason Edwards
July 3, 2016
July Kili Team (Photo: Charlotte Austin)
We heard from Charlotte this morning (Seattle time) and sounds like her second trip is off to another good start. Her morning email is below.
As Charlotte begins the Kilimanjaro Expedition with her second group, IMG and she would like to congratulate and thank all the members of her first team one last time. Nikolai, Aleksandr, Raymond, Sophia, Vivian, Phyllis, Michael, John, Paul, Thomas, Brandon and Jeffrey – congratulations and thanks for being such a great team!!
Hey Phil,
Checking in for the day. All good here — we did gear checks this morning, then headed into town for some souvenir shopping and a pizza lunch at the Union Cafe in Moshi. Tiffany (on the far right of the photo) bought a huge hand-made elephant painting. We stocked up on snacks and other last-minute supplies at the grocery store, and now are doing some last-minute packing before heading up the hill tomorrow. Weather is gorgeous and the team is healthy and strong.
Thanks!
Charlotte
July 1, 2016
The 2016 JanSport Team
The JanSport climb wrapped up yesterday with the DC team summiting in style! Both the Emmons & DC Teams converged on IMG around 4pm. From there it was straight to the Wellspring for some R & R! Two great teams became one sharing their stories around a campfire sipping on a few Rainier Beers
As always – thanks to JanSport for continuing such a great tradition on Mt. Rainier!
Tye Chapman
July 1, 2016
Charlotte touched base this morning to say simply – “All’s good here”! The team enjoyed Olduvai Gorge and a great tour of Ngorongoro Crater. They even saw the elusive black rhino. By my count, that wraps up the Big Five (do a quick Google, if you don’t know). They are spending their final night at a lodge called The Farmhouse, and will head back to Arusha tomorrow for a bit more shopping and something to eat before beginning the trip home. As Charlotte said – “everyone’s tired and happy”. That works for us.
Charlotte will meet her next Kilimanjaro Expedition group shortly and begin another African adventure. One ends and another begins.
Phil Ershler
June 29, 2016
Day three is in the books for the 2016 JanSport Climb. The Emmons Team crushed it this morning summiting, in as Lead Guide Luke Reilly said, “damn near perfect conditionsâ€. They’ve since made it back to Camp Schurman where they’ll rest, relax, eat, sleep, etc. until tomorrow morning.
And just 1.5 miles away (as the crow flies) is the DC Team who is poised for their own summit attempt tonight. Conditions remain near perfect. If all goes as planned they’ll summit tomorrow morning and both teams will return to IMG tomorrow afternoon to celebrate!
We won’t crack the beers just yet, there’s still plenty of work to do!
Tye Chapman
June 29, 2016
The team leaving on safari.
We spoke with Charlotte today from the Serengeti. The safari has begun. Biggest problem with the flight from Arusha was making sure the elephant weren’t too close to the runway as they landed. It’s a bit of extra effort to go all the way out to the Serengeti but an airplane makes short work of the distance and being there makes it all worthwhile. Charlotte said everyone’s totally psyched but definitely ready for another long night’s sleep. The nervous anticipation of the climb is gone and now it’s all just fun.
Phil Ershler
June 28, 2016
The annual JanSport climb of Mt. Rainier is in full swing! On Sunday 16 of JanSport’s finest showed up for their gear check. This year, JanSport’s finest consists of some sales reps, distributors & some employees from their corporate headquarters and features climbers from as far away as Israel & Brazil. Things got off to a bumpy start when their bus got a flat tire en route to IMG. After a 45 minute delay (in the 7-11 parking lot) things were back on track.
Once at IMG we got straight to work with the gear checks. We had dinner reservations & hotels to get to so things were a little more condensed than normal but nothing these guys couldn’t handle! Gear checks done – in the vans and on the way to the Alpine Inn for the Emmons Team
Things were back to normal on Monday. The Emmons team hit the trail early and made their way to camp on the Inter Glacier in good form. The DC team went over to the Edith Creek area for a mountain day school.
Today the teams were both on the move. The Emmons team made their way to Camp Schurman while the DC team moved up to Camp Muir.
The teams are in good hands:
Guides on the DC: George Dunn, Emily Johnston, Jonathan Schrock & Dustin Balderach
Guides on the Emmons: Luke Reilly, Austin Shannon, Josh McDowell & Justin Merle
All is well on Mt. Rainier!
Tye Chapman
June 28, 2016
Charlotte checked in this morning, Pacific time. Word was that the team is back at their hotel in Moshi and they’re actually clean again. No small feat! All the climbing gear is now stuffed into one duffel bag that they won’t bother opening again until they’re home.
It’s time for their celebratory dinner, the award of summit certificates and some sleep. Tomorrow morning is SAFARI TIME. By the end of the day, they will have shopped in Arusha, flown out to the Seregenti, had a drink by the camp fire and probably already have spotted many of the Big Five. I absolutely love the first day of safari. A TON going on.
~Phil Ershler
