January 4, 2016

All IMG teams in the Southern Hemisphere were able to check in on Sunday, 3 Jan.  Greg Vernovage called first from Camp 1 on Vinson Massif, Antarctica.  The team had just completed an important carry to high camp (C2).  That’s a tough day but people handled it well and everyone got back to C1 tired but totally ready to head back up and summit soon.  Summits attempts are all about the weather.  They need two days to get to the summit now so it will be interesting to hear if they were able to move to C2 today.

Ice pond on Aconcagua

On Aconcagua, Josh McDowell and crew had a good carry to C1 yesterday.  Everyone stayed right together and performed well.  The move to C1 is scheduled for today.  The weather doesn’t have to be as good lower on the mountain to move so they’ll likely get up to C1 today without issues.

Mike Hamill and team stayed at C3 (high camp) on the 3^rd.  Winds were simply too high to risk a summit attempt.  Their job is to stay patient and to stay ready.  It’s cold and windy where they are and they’ll need the mountain to cooperate, even a bit, before they can make their attempt.  They’ve worked hard and deserve a little good luck.  Keeping our fingers crossed.

Phil Ershler

December 28, 2015

Now that the Christmas holiday is over, let’s get everyone updated on IMG trips currently ‘south of the border’.  In this case, way south.  Mike Hamill checked in this morning to let us know his Aconcagua crew had moved up to C1, at just over 16,000’.  Weather’s reasonable and the team is moving well.  Josh McDowell also checked in with news of his team, currently in Mendoza.  They are wrapping up their preparations, securing permits this afternoon, and heading for Penitentes in the morning.  That means they’ll begin their approach on the morning of 30 Dec.  All’s good there, just chomping at the bit and anxious to start walking.

Union Glacier, Antarctica

Further south is Greg Vernovage and his Vinson team.  They’re in Punta Arenas, gathering last members and bags and getting ready to fly as soon as weather permits to the Union Glacier, around 80 degrees S. latitude.  Weather in certain locations in the States made getting to Punta tough for some of our members but it all got done and this team, too, is ready to get to it.

So, 2 Aconcagua teams will be on the mountain New Year’s Eve and 1 will be on Vinson in Antarctica.  You have to admit, pretty cool way to start the new year.

Phil Ershler