January 26, 2016

Trail to C1

Short and sweet – updates from down South……In Mexico, Josh McDowell and crew are at high camp on Ixta.  Windy but things should be calming down.  Team’s planning on taking a shot first thing in the morning.

On Aconcagua, Jonathan Schrock and team have moved in to C1 (16,200’).  Plan is to make a carry tomorrow to C2.  Calming conditions forecasted for the weekend and team hopes to put themselves into position to take advantage of any good climbing conditions.

Phil Ershler

January 24, 2016

Time for a weekend update on IMG teams on Aconcagua and in Mexico.

Let’s start with Jonathan Schrock and team on Aconcagua. All members arrived at base camp without issues. Saturday was a rest/acclimatization day at base camp and the team’s plan for today is to make a carry to Camp 1. Base camp is around 13,600’ and C1 about 16,200’.  Weather remains unsettled up high but that doesn’t really affect the team yet. They can make progress lower on the mountain as long as things don’t get too bad. So far, they’re making progress.

Ixta and Popo from the air

In Mexico, Josh McDowell, Charlotte Austin and team got together Saturday evening in Mexico City for their first dinner together. They head up towards Ixta today for an acclimatization hike and will be spending the night in the town of Amecameca. Gerardo Reyes, our friend and service provider in Mexico, sent me an email saying that conditions on the mountain are good, with some new snow. Let’s see how it goes tomorrow when they make a carry up to their one camp on Ixta. The game is on.

Phil Ershler