February 24, 2016

A motley crew to wrap up the season for IMG!

Happy to report that the team had an uneventful walk out and arrived in Mendoza last evening.  It’s a wrap.  Some members are already on their way home while others are enjoying the ambiance of Mendoza for the next day or two.  Safe, successful and enjoyable are the goals and it looks like the team accomplished all three.  Our congratulations to Mike’s crew and our thanks to everyone who joined IMG this season on Aconcagua.  It all starts again for Aconcagua in mid-December, 2016.

Phil Ershler

February 21, 2016

Summit cross on Aconcagua

Always nice to hear that another IMG team reached the summit of Aconcagua.  Even better to hear that they’re all back at high camp and doing fine.  The forecast held and the team had great weather for their climb.  That in no way diminishes the effort required to summit Aconcagua safely.  23,000 ft is high, any way you cut it.  Nothing higher in the Western Hemisphere.  Aconcagua can be as nasty and demanding on the summit day as any mountain we guide.  Congratulations to the team and to the guides.  Good decisions, good teamwork and good effort by all.

Tomorrow they descend to base camp, Plaza Mulas, on the Horcones Valley side of the mountain.  Sort of an extra bonus to go up one side and out another.  Mendoza is two days of effort away.

Phil Ershler

February 20, 2016

Cerro Aconcagua

And now there’s one.  IMG’s first four Aconcagua expeditions are now complete, leaving Mike Hamill, Sara Cohen, Martin Lucero and team at high camp, ready to make their summit bid in the morning.  Forecasts are only forecasts but at least they have a good one.  Weather is pretty much perfect today and should remain quite good tomorrow.  Like the Magic 8 Ball says: “signs say yes.”  Wish them luck.

Phil Ershler

February 19, 2016

Luke Reilly with the first group of summiters earlier this week

Time for a couple of Aconcagua updates – Luke, Nickel, Leo and team are done.  Back in Mendoza now, enjoying the great food and drink available there and getting things cleaned up and packed up for their return trips home.  Congratulations, again, to Bill, Mathieu, David, Nick and Tiffany on a job well done!  We couldn’t be happier for them.

Mike Hamill’s team took yesterday off at C2 and are making their carry now to high camp.  Don’t want to jinx anything but the forecast is looking good.  There’s a ‘wind window’ for Saturday and Sunday and Mike and crew are planning their summit shot for Monday morning.  They’re in the right position, let’s hope it’s the right time.  Stay tuned.

Phil Ershler

February 15, 2016

Aconcagua Summit Cross

Good news from Argentina!  Luke called at 9:30 am PT to let us know the team was on top of Aconcagua.  Winds were light and all is well.  That’s super news considering the issues with weather this year.  Patience and persistence paid off.  Luke, Nickel, Leandro and team – congratulations!

A bit lower on the hill, Mike and team made their carry to C1 yesterday and are moving up to C1 today.  Mike reported the same good weather and that his team is fit and has been moving well.

A good day for IMG teams on Aconcagua.

Phil Ershler