High Camp On Huayna Potosi

August 19, 2015

Huayna Potosi glacier from high camp (Luke Reilly)

The weather has cleared up completely for Andy and the team in Bolivia.Â They had a great hike to High Camp today and are set for a summit bid tonight on Huayna Potosi.

They had an early dinner at the High Camp Refugio and are getting ready to take a nap before their 2:00 am wake up.Â It is all tolerable with the new Refugio at High Camp!

Up early and walking, it will be cool for the first few hours with El Alto lights keeping the team company over their left shoulder.Â By the time the sun comes up, the team will be above the bergschrund and looking east to the jungle.

The morning will be topped off by a gorgeous summit ridge with Lake Titicaca in the distance.Â Have a great climb tonight!

Greg Vernovage

Kili Team At Barranco Camp

August 19, 2015

Dustin checked in from Barranco Camp at 13,000â€™.Â He has a very fit team and they are all trekking very well.

This is a longer day but one of the more scenic days of the climb.Â The day starts with a gradual climb up to the Lava Tower.Â Pole Pole (slowly slowly) Â is the name of the game as you head up hill.Â After the Lava Tower you cruise downhill into camp.

: Lava Tower (Greg Vernovage)

: Barranco Camp with Kilimanjaro (Greg Vernovage)

The team pulled into camp and had some tea and caramel popcorn.Â Nice treat after 6 hours on the trail.

Tomorrow, the Barranco Wall!

Greg Vernovage

Say Hi To Yolanda

August 18, 2015

Huayna Potosi (Greg Vernovage)

Andy checked in from Huayna Potosi Base Camp.Â They are tucked into the Refugio for the night and all is well.Â Everything is looking great on the mountain and they are looking forward to getting a good night sleep.Â The Refugio on Huayna Potosi is one of the nicest I have stayed in all of South America.

The owner of the Refugio is Yolanda and she is very sweet, happy to have everyone come and go and a hug after the summit.Â Thank you Yolanda for your hospitality!

Greg Vernovage

Kilimanjaro Team Doing Great At 12,000ft

August 18, 2015

Shira Plateau (Greg Vernovage)

Another beautiful day on Kilimanjaro for the IMG team today.Â They made great time pulling into Shira Plateau at 12,000 feet with Kilimanjaro in front of them the entire trek.

An afternoon of hydrating and kicking back.Â Dustin said there was a card game brewing in the dining tent before dinner.

Tomorrow is a good test for everyone.Â The up and down day with the Lava Tower visit in the middle of the hike.

Greg Vernovage

Bolivia Team Summits Pequeno Alpamayo

August 17, 2015

Pequeno Alpamayo (Turner Britton)

A gorgeous day for climbing in Bolivia!Â The gang weathered a storm and had a great climb of Pequeno Alpamayo today.

There was a little more snow on the route than normal but nothing the team couldnâ€™t handle.Â This evening, the team will dine on fresh fish caught in the lake right next to camp.

Tomorrow they are out the door to Huayna Potosi.Â Nice job team!

Greg Vernovage

Another Kilimanjaro Climb Heads Uphill

August 17, 2015

Kilimanjaro over the clouds from the hotel in Moshi. (Dustin Balderach)

Dustin checked in from Machame Camp.Â Perfect weather on day one.Â This is the third trip up Kilimanjaro for Dustin this year.Â The team is doing great.

Kilimanjaro was out all day and it is always nice to pull into camp dry and feeling good.\

Tomorrow, the team will pull out of the jungle and head to Shira Plateau!

Greg Vernovage

Training Day on Pequeno Alpamayo

August 16, 2015

: Pequeno Alpamayo Base Camp (Greg Vernovage)

: Training site (Greg Vernovage)

Andy and the team had a good training day on Pequeno Alpamayo.Â They are gearing up for their summit bid tomorrow.Â There is a little snow in the forecast so the team will be on their toes.

These peaks are beautiful with a litte fresh snow on the ground.Â They will plan on walking at 4 am which will leave them plenty of daylight to make the climb.

We are pulling for them!

Greg Vernovage

All Is Well In Bolivia

August 15, 2015

Alpamayo Base Camp (Greg Vernovage)

Andy checked in this afternoonÂ from the base camp ofÂ Pequeno Alpamayo. Â He made sure to let us know that “all is well!” Â They are doing some basicÂ training today, and will continue with more technical training in the morning.

As you can tell from the picture, it is not a bad place to train!

Josh McDowell

Tambo Condoriri Take 2

August 14, 2015

Panorama of Alta Planeau with Illimani, Huayna Potosi and Condoriri (Greg Vernovage)

Andy checked in from Tambo Condoriri just now letting us know that the team had a great day hiking today.

Overnight, they got a total of 9 inches of snow! With that amount of snow, the llama drivers decided that it would be best to hang tight for another day.

So, the plan now with improving weather is to move up to Base Camp and train for a couple days which will give the snow some time to settle in.

So goes life in the mountains. Patience and flexibility!

Greg Vernovage

Bolivia Team Acclimatizing On Tambo Condoriri

August 13, 2015

Acclimatizing at Tambo Condoriri (Greg Vernovage)

Andy checked in from Tambo Condoriri to let us know that all is well.Â They had a very nice acclimatization hike to 15,000 feet this afternoon with a little snow falling.Â â€œThere is about three inches of snow on the ground right now which make everything look really great.â€

There is a little more snow in the forecast for tonight and we will have to see how it looks tomorrow.Â It is a short trekking day into Base Camp for the team so a little snow wonâ€™t bother them.Â Acclimatizing in Bolivia is moving along nicely!

Greg Vernovage