July 27, 2015
Endless climbing in Peru
IMG Guide Jason Edwards called in today. After the Cedros trek members left for home this past weekend, the climbing portion of the trip began.  The team successfully summited Ishinca, 18,143’ today. They are now safely back at high camp. They will rest tomorrow, then on to a climb of Urus, 17, 783’.
Sounds like great climbing!
July 27, 2015
Machu Picchu
IMG Guide Peter Anderson called in moments ago. His team finished the Inca Trail today, arriving at Machu Picchu in time to see the sunrise over the site.
All are down in town now after the daylong tour and showered up at their hotel in Aguas Calientes. Tomorrow, those that wish will ride the bus back up to Machu Picchu for a dawn hike up the small neighboring peak of Huayna Picchu for a great view from above of the Machu Picchu archaeological site. Â All the team will reconvene in town after lunch for the train ride and then private bus ride back to Cusco. The team will overnight in Cusco tomorrow, then catch their flights to Lima the next afternoon and then eventually on home to the U.S.
George Dunn
July 27, 2015
IMG guide Liz Smart sent us a couple of photos from the first day of training for the Alps Classics program, July 26-August 6.
The team did a rock climbing practice today on the Rifflehorn, a local outcrop just off the Gornergrat railway. The rest of the program does not involve serious rock climbing, but a bit of practice goes a long way towards helping the team on rocky scramble sections of the peaks they do. The team will hike in to the Almageller Hut today for a climb of the Weissmies tomorrow.
George Dunn
July 27, 2015
Ridge climb to the “first†summit. (Greg Vernovage)
Luke just called in after a great day of climbing Pequeno Alpamayo. Great views all around and not a cloud in the sky. The route is in good shape and gave the team no big surprises. PA is not our tallest objective while in Bolivia but certainly poses a few challenges.
The team is back at Base Camp, having some soup.  They will debrief the climb and talk through a few techniques that will be used again Huayna Potosi . The night will be capped off for the gang when our cook staff comes in with dinner.  The team will feast on fresh trout caught out of the lake at Base Camp! A good reward for a great day of climbing.
Greg Vernovage
July 27, 2015
The team at The Barrels.
Mike Hamill called in to report that our Elbrus team is back in the valley, safe and sound, and heading out for lunch, soon. He also said that weather was poor today so they feel good about sneaking the climb in when they did.
The attached photo is of the team on their way down at a place called “The Barrels”. They’ll use their 2 contingency days hiking around the Baksan Valley.
Phil Ershler
July 27, 2015
Classic sunrise shadow on Kilimanjarol (Greg Vernovage)
Dustin called in from the summit of Kilimanjaro. All is well with a perfect climb to the roof of Africa!
Not a breath of wind up there. I could not hear any wind in the Satellite phone when Dustin called. Gorgeous sunrise!
They are tucked in at Mweka Camp for the night. What is for dinner, Dustin? “Who cares, the food has been so good and we are all so happy, we will eat what the great cook staff feeds us and get some sleep!â€
Nice job Team!
Greg Vernovage
July 26, 2015
Luke checked in after some great training at the tongue of Pequeno Alpamayo. The first time out to the glacier can be a little intimidating. This is one of the reasons we like to go out before we climb. Get out there and see the first piece to the puzzle that is Pequeno Alpamayo.
 This mountain will literally give this team a taste of all kinds of climbing. Glacier travel out of the gate followed by some exposed short bursts of a ridge to the “first†summit. We arrive there and celebrate as the true summit takes our breath away and most people hit the pause button and usually say, “Wait a minute, we are going up there?â€
 Yeah, it is a great day of climbing with a little rock scrambling up and down as well!
 The team is going to walk at 3:30 am. Perfect timing!
Greg Vernovage
July 26, 2015
Dustin reports from Barafu High Camp that all is well and the team is ready to head for the summit tonight! Everyone is doing great, no issues and are excited. They got to bed a little earlier today in anticipation for a wake up at 10:15 pm. Dustin wants the team to start walking by midnight.
Dustin told me that the team felt like it was Christmas Eve and they just didn’t know how they were going to get any sleep. They are having a great time! Go get it everyone!
Greg Vernovage
July 26, 2015
Summit of Elbrus (Mike Hamill)
Good news this morning from Russia. Mike Hamill called in to report a tough but successful summit day. Elbrus is a serious work out and never to be underestimated. Weather got particular nasty on the descent but all team members are back at the hut – safe and doing just fine.
They’ll spend tonight at the hut and then make their return to Terskol in the morning. Congratulations, to all!
Phil Ershler
July 25, 2015
Luke checked in from Pequeno Alpamayo Base Camp after a great acclimatization hike up Pico Austria. From the top of Pico Austria you can see a lot of the route of Pequeno Alpamayo and Condoriri. The wildlife on this hike is great. The Condor, Llama and Bolivian Rabbit called the Viscacha can be seen everywhere.
 Tomorrow is a big training day. The team will walk out to the tongue of the glacier and train for glacier travel, self-arrest and running belay. This first mountain has it all! The team will be ready to go.
 Acclimatization is going well, keep up the good work!
Greg Vernovage
