Simo Checked In From Pangom

September 28, 2015

: Numbur Karyolung Tengkangpoche Kongde from Pangom (Eric Simonson)

: Loading the heli in Kathmandu (Eric Simonson)

: Map overview of the route.

: Mera route on Google Earth

IMG Partner Eric Simonson checked in last night from just above Pangom (9,000 feet) in the Hinku Valley. That’s right, IMG Himalayan Program Director Eric Simonson is in Nepal and looking forward to climbing Mera Peak in the next couple weeks. Mera Peak is a moderate climb by Himalayan standards (21,000ft / 6500m) but the route takes them up some big glaciers and any mountain that tall we take pretty seriously.

We are looking forward to visiting this valley, which is just to the east of the Khumbu Valley, in the future, so who better to send over to take a look at it than Eric.

Greg Vernovage

Bumpy But Beautiful In The Serengeti

September 28, 2015

: Bull Elephant. (Dustin Balderach)

: Lions. (Dustin Balderach)

Craig called in from the first camp in the Serengeti.Â â€œThe flight was a little bumpy coming in today but we are doing great!â€

The Team has already seen a ton of wildlife including a pride of about 30 lions and a few cheetahs.Â Tomorrow is the first full day of wildlife viewing.Â Packed with elephants, hippos, giraffes, wildebeests and those little warthogs that run around with their tails in the air.Â Just to name a few.

Greg Vernovage

Pass #2 on the Dolpo Trek

September 27, 2015

: The camp at the end of the Rainbow (Adam Angel)

: 16,755′ Sela (Adam Angel)

After a good rest at Shey Gompa, the Dolpo Team was ready to see where the next pass leads.Â Adam said it was another great day on the trail with perfect weather.Â The team has stopped for the night at Namgung Gompa which is in a canyon.

â€œSela was even more spectacular than Nangda La, and the dramatic skies continued with rainbows and puffy clouds over the distinctly Tibetan landscape. Many mediation caves were tucked into the cliffs above the monastery and we spent quite a bit of time pondering the easiest way to the cave entrances without the use of ropesâ€¦â€

Greg Vernovage

Kilimanjaro Team Ready to Celebrate

September 27, 2015

Kili from Moshi (Dustin Balderach)

Craig called from Moshi after celebrating the Kilimanjaro summit with the entire team at Mweka gate.

The tipping ceremony and summit certificate make for a great afternoon.Â Returning to Moshi and a good shower with a drink of their choice is a nice start to the evening.Â Time for the duffle shuffle and a welcome back dinner before hitting the road tomorrow morning for the Serengeti.

Time to enjoy some wildlife viewing!Â Great job team.

Greg Vernovage

Dolpo Trek Pauses At Shey Gompa

September 26, 2015

: Shey Gompa Camp (Adam Angel)

: Tenzing Chogle (Adam Angel)

: Goat! (Adam Angel)

: Shey Gompa (Adam Angel)

Adam checked in after what we call an active rest day.Â The team trekked for about 4 hours which was a little more than Adam had planned but the team is just soaking everything in and they want more!

Â Shey Gompa was established during the 11th century. The IMG camp on the Monastery grounds had great views of the Hubajung Khola and the Crystal Mountain.Â The rest day is for exploring the many gompas along parts of the Crystal Mountain Kora, and enjoying their first local goat.

Greg Vernovage

Kilimanjaro Summits!

September 26, 2015

CJ’s Team on the Summit (Craig John)

Craig checked in with a happy team from Mweka Camp!Â All is well.

Â It was a great climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro.Â Craig managed to get a photo out during the day.Â It looks like a perfect day on top.Â Craig mentioned that it might have been one of the coldest nights he has ever had on a summit night.Â Clear skies meant a little chilly, once they got to the crater rim and the sun came up, it warmed up.

Â What a good looking day on top!

Greg Vernovage

Dolpo Team Crosses Nangda La Pass

September 25, 2015

: Leaving Nepal (Adam Angel)

: Welcome to Tibet (Adam Angel)

Adam checked in from Shey Gompa.Â It was an early morning for the team.Â A hot breakfast and a few cups of tea.Â Time to hit the trail!

â€The transition is steep, cold, exhausting, and exhilarating, but the struggle to the top of Nangda La at 17,400â€™ is quickly forgotten when we see the other side. Miles and miles of open country dappled with light streaming through the weightless clouds of the expanse. We are on our way to Shey Gompa, our first stop in Upper Dolpo, the area north of the crest.â€Â Adam Angel

The team will take a rest day tomorrow and visit the monastery.Â The team is strong and doing great!

Greg Vernovage

Kili Team Ready For Summit Attempt

September 25, 2015

Kili from Karanga Camp. (Dustin Balderach)

Our Kilimanjaro Team is at High Camp resting for the big day tomorrow.Â Craig said the plan is to wake up at 11pm and be walking by midnight.

Tonight at High Camp is spent like that of a kid on Christmas Eve, thinking about how great the next day is going to be.Â Will there be snow on the ground?Â How big will that sun really look when it starts coming up?Â Just like Christmas, the entire day is fun and when the team gets down, they will have great things to share with us.

Have a great climb tonight everyone!

Greg Vernovage

Dolpo Team Near Nangdala Pass

September 24, 2015

Trekking in the Dolpo region. (Adam Angel)

Today, the Dolpo Team left the river, climbing high up into side valley, with blue sheep roaming the hills.Â Over the past week they have only seen a handful of other westerners.Â Now, they are at the high camp at about 14,800 feet, below the Nangdala Pass.Â Tomorrow they will climb to the pass and get their first views to the north into Tibet, before they drop down the other side to the Shey Gompa.

They are gaining altitude and the cool nights are great incentives to climb into the tents a little early.Â An early morning wake is on the schedule for tomorrow.Â The first high pass!

Greg Vernovage

Slow And Steady On Kili

September 24, 2015

: The team on top of Barranco Wall. (Craig John)

: Climbing Barranco Wall. (Craig John)

Our Kilimanjaro Team is making great progress. The excitement and challenge of the Barranco Wall was the target for today and everyone did fantastic.

It always feels good to get up the wall and into the open area.Â A short trek later and the team arrived in Karanga Camp at 13,000 feet.Â This is the day that sets up for a successful summit attempt.

Slow and steady, High Camp is just a day away!Â Craig had a cell phone signal and was able to get a couple of pictures out of the team today.

Greg Vernovage