Kilimanjaro climbers ready to climb!

February 18, 2024

: Enjoying lunch at Barafu Camp (Phunuru Sherpa)

: Kili team at Barafu Camp (Phunuru Sherpa)

Phunuru reports the team had a nice hike this morning up to the Barafu Camp at 15,000 feet. It’s great to get up to the high camp early in the day, so the climbers can prepare. After a leisurely lunch, an afternoon spent resting, getting packed up, and an early dinner, the team is now snoozing, excited to start their climb at about 1 AM.

After traveling halfway around the world and spending five days acclimatizing on their approach, the team is finally in position and prepared, and ready to head for the Top of Africa. We’ll keep you posted!

Kilimanjaro climbers reach Karanga Camp

February 17, 2024

: Enjoying the sunset at Karanga Camp (Phunuru Sherpa)

: Traversing to Karanga Camp (Phunuru Sherpa)

: The steep spot on the ascent of the Barranco Wall (Eric Simonson)

Phunuru reports that the team had another day of great weather and fun hiking. They got an early start at Barranco Camp, climbing the steep trail up to the top of the Barranco Wall in the morning light. Then, with beautiful mountain views to their left, they then made a long traverse around to the Karanga Camp, which is (like Barranco) about 13,000 feet, a perfect height for acclimatization! The nearby stream is the last water on the way to the summit, so our cook team will be carrying water to the last camp. The team enjoyed a nice afternoon with great mountain views, and tonight they will be looking down on the twinkling lights of Moshi and the expansive Southern Sky. Tomorrow the plan is to be walking by 8am so they can get to the Barafu High Camp with plenty of time for rest during the afternoon. Everyone is doing well, and they are looking forward to the summit day.

Kilimanjaro climbers reach Barranco

February 16th, 2024–

The team at Lava Tower (Phunuru)

All’s well with the team at Barranco Camp. Today marked a new high point for many of the members, when they reached Lava Tower (15,088 ft), the lunch stop. There they had a nice meal prepared by the cook team, before making the gradual descent into the Great Barranco, a wide canyon on the north side of Kilimanjaro. Tonight, they are at 13,000 ft, a perfect acclimatization profile. Climb high, sleep low! After a comfortable night at the Barranco Camp, tomorrow the team will ascend the Barranco Wall and traverse the base of the rugged and spectacular south side of Kilimanjaro. It’s big!

On the trail to Lava Tower with Mt Meru in the background near Arusha (Phunuru)

Morning coffee at Barranco Camp with the Breach Wall behind (Phunuru)

Kilimanjaro team reaches Shira Camp

February 15th, 2024–

The climbers and Chagga staff all together at Shira Camp (Phunuru)

The team emerged from the forest zone and climbed today up to the Shira Plateau, at over 12,000 feet. This is a perfect elevation for acclimatization!

They are now in the middle of the “zone of weird plants” that live at high altitude on the Equator, only on Kilimanjaro and Mt Kenya. These include the giant groundsel and giant heather. Phunuru reports that everyone is doing great and that the weather remains good.

Tomorrow the team is on schedule to climb to over 14,500 feet, then drop back down to 13,000 at Barranco Camp. So far so good!

Nice views during the hike up to Shira Camp (Phunuru)

Giant heather and groundsel plants on the way to Shira Camp (Ang Jangbu)

Kilimanjaro climbers reach Machame Camp

February 14th, 2024–

The team at Machame Camp (Phunuru)

Phunuru Sherpa reports that the team had a very nice day hiking up through the forest to the Machame Camp at about 9400 ft. They started out with a one hour ride up the lower slopes of the mountain from Moshi to the Machame Gate (5400 ft) where they checked their permits with the National Park rangers, and then hit the trail accompanied by their Chagga guides and porters. It took them about five and a half hours of steady hiking to reach the camp which is situated right at treeline, with peekaboo views of Kilimanjaro through the trees. The weather was gorgeous and everyone did well. Now they are ensconced at the Machame Camp for the night and will be heading to the Shira Plateau camp tomorrow. So far so good!

Kilimanjaro climbers and guides at the Machame Gate ready to hike! (Phunuru)

February Kilimanjaro team is ready to climb!

February 13th, 2024–

IMG leader Phunuru Sherpa reports from Moshi, situated at the foot of Kilimanjaro at about 3000 feet. The February Kili team have all arrived, are doing well, and are excited to get started. Today the team did their gear checks, got the porter duffels packed and weighed, and had a nice walkabout exploring the town of Moshi. Phunuru reports that the weather is very nice, sunny and warm during the daytime. Tomorrow morning they will be driving up through the coffee, tea, and banana farms on the slopes of the mountain to the Machame Gate at about 6000 feet, where the ascent begins. All’s well in Tanzania!

Lunch in Moshi (Phunuru)

Aconcagua Team 3 Celebrates their Success!

February 7th, 2024–

IMG Aconcagua Team 3 wraps up a fantastic trip in Argentina. Climbers celebrated their success in Mendoza with a delicious meals and well-deserved beers. The team looks forward to traveling home to share the memories with their friends and family.

Thanks for following along!

Aconcagua Team 3 Summits!

February 4, 2024

Aconcagua summit views while ascending to Camp 3 (Tyler Nachand)

A huge congrats is in order for our third and final Aconcagua team! The team reached the summit this morning in good style and is now on the way down back and will reach Mendoza in the coming days.

Aconcagua Team 3 Reaches Camp 3

February 3, 2024

IMG Aconcagua Team 3 at Camp 3! (Tincho Lucero)

IMG Guide Tincho Lucero checked in reporting that the team made a successful move to Camp 3 today! With good weather in the forecast, a summit attempt is in the future soon.

We’re excited for all of our Aconcagua teams and will keep you updated along the way!

Aconcagua Team Reaches Camp 2

Feb 2, 2024 – IMG Senior Guide Tincho checked in from Camp 2 to report clear weather and a happy team. The team pulled into the 17,200ft camp around 2PM local time and will being continuing on to carry some of their gear to the famous Camp Cholera (High Camp) in the coming days.