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
July 25, 2015
Mt. Elbrus
Game day has arrived. Mike called this morning, Pacific time, and let me know the crew put in another good acclimatization day on Elbrus. It also served as a good opportunity to get their ‘systems dialed’ and prepare for tomorrow’s summit attempt. Weather remains favorable and forecasts show the same for the next couple of days. Winds, in particular, look to be very light. That’s a big help on Elbrus, or any mountain, for that matter. Wish them luck. It’ll be an early alpine start with a return to our high hut for the night after the summit attempt.  Game on!
Phil Ershler
July 25, 2015
The great Barranco Wall today. It is a short day on the trail but one that requires a little more attention. Dustin and the team navigated the Barranco Wall with a little cloud cover. We make today and tomorrow slightly shorter days of trekking in order to prepare for our summit night.
“We pulled into Karanga Camp in perfect form and had hot lunch waiting for us.â€Â What was on the menu? “Fried chicken with french fries!â€
 What a great picnic at 13,000 on Kilimanjaro!
Greg Vernovage
July 24, 2015
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Machu Picchu (Peru)
IMG Guide Peter Anderson reports that all continues to go well. They’ve toured the Sacred Valley, done their gear checks and are ready to hit the trail! – George Dunn
The Matterhorn (Switzerland)
IMG Matterhorn guide Aaron Mainer reports that the climbers recently got down from their second climb.  The first attempt with two guides and two climbers was successful, but turned around 350-400m above the Hornli Hut today with the other two climbers in some marginal weather and conditions.  It was still damp from rain and then started to rain as they ascended.  The team will be having a celebration dinner, and then another day of climbing, possibly a “via ferrata†in the Gorner Gorge. – George Dunn
Pequeno Alpamayo (Bolivia)
Luke called in from our first camp on Pequeno Alpamayo. The camp is located conveniently next to a family that we have known for years. They have llamas and donkeys that help us transport our gear up hill. At 14,500 feet, we do not want to push up too fast. A night at this elevation will help us in the long run.The team had a nice acclimatization hike and are settling into tents for the first time this trip. It will be nice and cool, great for sleeping. Tomorrow is a casual morning and a good walk into Base Camp. – Greg Vernovage
Cedros Trek (Peru)
Trek leader Jason Edwards called in to report a successful end to the Cedros trek. All team members are back in the town of Juaraz and will be returning home after one last day in Juaraz tomorrow. On Saturday, July 25 Jason will lead a team back into the mountains to do a couple of big peaks in the area. Jason has changed the peak selection from Pisco to Ishinca and Urus. We’ll report on his climb next week. – George Dunn
Elbrus (Russia)
Mike Hamill reports that all continues to go smoothly in Russia. Acclimatization hikes are done and the team put in a day yesterday refreshing skills. Today’s the move up on to the mountain. A couple of gondola rides and an old, single chair lift takes the crew to a place called “The Barrelsâ€. Not a place where we like to stay so they’ll be hiking another 1.5 hours uphill to the site where an historic, old refuge was located prior to its burning down back in 1998. We have a small, private hut located here and that will be ‘base’ for the team for the next few nights. More acclimatization is smart before taking a summit shot. Weather remains favorable and forecasts show the same for a couple of days. It’ll be game day, soon. Phil Ershler
Kilimanjaro (Tanzania)
Hey Greg, just another perfect day on Kili. Everyone woke up at Shira camp feeling great and made a great push up to the Lava Tower Camp at 15k before dropping back down to Barranco Camp. We were above the clouds all day and had incredible views of Kili throughout the day. Doesn’t get much better than this. Super strong and fun team. The team talked – and a few sang – on the hike from 12700 to 15100 feet. Needless to say they were feeling great. Everyone is looking forward to a fun day scrambling up the Barranco Wall tomorrow. In the mean time everyone is relaxing, drinking tea, playing cards and generally enjoying the spectacular view! – Dustin Balderach
July 23, 2015
The team.
Our Machu Picchu trek, July 21-30 checked in from Cusco yesterday, 7/22. All is well with the team. Here is a report from guide Peter Anderson:
Buenos noches,
Everything is going great down here. Busy and hectic day but we are teed up nicely for our adventure. Great food, great city tour and a great mix of folks! Here we are at Plaza de Armas and learning about the Sun Temple in Cusco. From recent history to the conquistador history to the Inca history this quaint city is amazing. We also visited a true local market seeing chia seeds, coca leaf products and quinoa for sale.
We had a great evening of getting to know one another and having our group briefing for tomorrow’s tour of the Sacred Valley and our trek to come.
Skies are clear, temps are warm, and we are hoping the Inca gods keep it up!
The team photo ain’t great, but that’s what happens with a volunteer photographer.
Best,
Peter
July 23, 2015
Shira Plateau
The Kili Team broke out of the jungle and moved onto the Shira Plateau at 12,000 feet. Dustin said the morning was overcast and the afternoon gave them a first glimpse of Kilimanjaro. The team is moving well and handling the altitude. On the menu last night for dinner was spaghetti. “The cooks are feeding us very very well!†A good dinner and a look at the stars.
Tomorrow is a big day for the team, they will touch 14,500 feet which is great for acclimatization!
Greg Vernovage
July 22, 2015
It was a matter of time! After running this Bolivia Program for a number of years now, this has finally happened.
There have been 1 or maybe 2 brave teammates who have decided to take the plunge in Lake Titicaca where it is understood that if you fall in, you are not to be rescued as it is considered a sacrifice.
Luke just called in to let me know that “All is well.â€Â How is the team shaping up? “Good, they all went swimming today on Sun Island.â€Â (followed by laughter) We like to feel a team out in the early stages of an expedition. I think this team is gelling nicely and will undoubtedly have a great time tomorrow when they get to our first camp at 14,500 feet.
Greg Vernovage
July 22, 2015
Hiking in Russia.
Mike Hamill reports that things continue to go smoothly. After spending a full day touring St. Petersburg with a cultural guide, the team flew from there to Mineralnye Vody and then drove up into the Caucasus mountains.
After their first night in the town of Terskol, they used today as an acclimatization opportunity, hiking up about 3000 vertical feet to an observatory. Good way to give the lungs and the legs a little work out.
More training and acclimatizing will be in store for tomorrow. Terskol’s at around 7000 ft so even spending a few nights sleeping there helps.
All’s good.
Phil Ershler
July 22, 2015
Perfect day for Dustin and the Team on Kilimanjaro! Dustin just called in from their first camp at Machame Camp at about 10,000 feet.
Out of the gate, it was a little overcast but no precip for the entire day. Perfect temps! The team is doing fantastic and were moving into the tents for a little rest before dinner Dustin said. A good night sleep and walking by 7am.
Greg Vernovage
