Kili Team Moved Up To Karaga Camp

February 24, 2015

Karanga Camp (Allison C. Schwartzman)

More good news from Tanzania, IMG Guide Mike Haft reports from Karanga Camp that the team had a blast climbing the Barranco wall in great weather today. They had a huge lunch this afternoon made up of fried chicken, fried bananas, frybread, and more fruit than they could eat. The team was still pretty full at dinner time so they kept it simple with some rice and beans.

Tomorrow’s a pretty short day up to High Camp, 3 hours is all, so they’ll likely be in camp by noon. They’ll spend the early afternoon relaxing, then get an early dinner and likely get to bed by 5pm in anticipation of the 11pm wake-up call.

Summit day is just around the corner and everybody is doing great. We’ll hear from Mike again tomorrow afternoon before they head towards the summit.

Tye Chapman

Aconcagua Team Summits

February 23, 2015

Heading down to Plaza Mulas

Long, cold, hard day yesterday for Mike Hamill and his crew.Â But, it was a successful day.Â Mike and part of the crew were able to push through all the new snow and reach the summit.Â Super effort out of everyone.Â Reports are that winds today up high are in the 70 mph range.Â The team threaded the needle and now are all down safely to Plaza Mulas, base camp on the Horcones side of the mountain.Â Everyone will be back in Mendoza later tomorrow evening.

It took a great team effort yesterday and weâ€™re glad to have them off the mountain â€“ safe and successful.

Phil Ershler

Next Stop: Barranco Camp

February 23, 2015

Perfect day on Kilimanjaro

â€œPretty much a perfect day on Kilimanjaroâ€.Â That was the message from Mike Haft and his team just a few minutes ago.Â Long pull up to the Lava Tower at around 15,000 ft, but that effort was rewarded with a hot lunch in the sunshine.Â Sweet.Â Itâ€™s all downhill from there, literally, to Barranco Camp at about 13,000 ft.Â They capped off a great day with a birthday celebration for Mark, one of our team members.Â Banana cake at 13,000 ft. on the slopes of Kilimanjaro.Â Probably a lot worse ways to celebrate your birthday.

Barranco Wall in the morning and it should be another terrific day.Â Mike said everyone was walking well, eating well and having trouble wiping the smiles off their faces.Â All is very good on Kilimanjaro.

Phil Ershler

Winter Seminar Begins On Mt. Rainier

February 23, 2015

The Winter Expedition Ascent Team heading up the Muir Snowfield

Our first Winter Seminar of 2015 kicked off on Saturday with the team meet ‘n’ greet & gear check here at our headquarters in Ashford.Â Sunday morning the team shuttled to the trail head at Paradise and spent the day making their way up the Muir snowfield in beautiful weather without wasting any time!Â They’ll spend this week training and climbing out of Camp Muir, while learning the fundamentals of expedition style climbing in a winter alpine environment.

Becky Kjorvestad

Kilimanjaro & Aconcagua Updates

February 21, 2015

The summit push on Aconcagua.

We wanted to update everyone on two more trips this weekend.Â Most importantly is our team on Aconcagua, led by Mike Hamill.Â They pulled into high camp today.Â New snow has fallen but thatâ€™s ending and winds are forecasted to be at their lowest ebb tomorrow.Â Â So, the teamâ€™s pumped to make an attempt in the morning.

And, over in Africa, Mike Haft and his Kilimanjaro crew had a good first day on the trail.Â Everyone got to Machame Camp without issue, other than some afternoon drizzle.Â Guess thatâ€™s why they call the lower areas of Kilimanjaro the cloud forest.Â Tomorrow is the Shira Plateau and some spectacular views of the mountain.

Phil Ershler

Patagonia Trekkers Wrapping Things Up In Style

February 21, 2015

: One last team photo – Torres del Paine National Park makes a nice backdrop!

: A nice day for a boat ride across Lago Grey!

That’s a wrap! IMG Guide Chris Meder and his crew said goodbye to Torres del Paine National Park this afternoon. It sounds like they saw it all – The Towers, The Bader Valley, The French Valley and of course they enjoyed the kayaking up next to the Grey Glacier! They capped it all off with a boat ride across Lago Grey.

They’re in Puerto Natales now; let the souvenir scramble begin! They’ll have their farewell dinner this evening and say their official goodbyes tomorrow. Reality awaits.

Tye Chapman

Kili Team Ready To Hit The Trail

February 20, 2015

: The grandeur of Kilimanjaro

: Mike and his team at dinner

One down and one to go for IMG Senior Guide, Mike Haft, over in Tanzania.

He put his super successful first Kilimanjaro team on their airplane home last night and heâ€™s already â€˜gatheredâ€™ his next team.Â Everyone and all luggage accounted for.Â Packing, sorting and getting the lay of the land are the orders of business today.Â Tomorrow morning, they hit the trail.Â Machame Gate right after breakfast and Machame Camp by late afternoon.

Weâ€™re hoping theyâ€™re just as happy and successful at the end of the expedition as was Mikeâ€™s first team.

Phil Ershler

There’s No Better Way To See The Grey Glacier

February 19, 2015

The Grey Glacier up close and personal! (Photo by Tye Chapman)

IMG Guide Chris Meder called in and reports that theyÂ had another greatÂ day todayâ€¦ It started out a little gloomy, but the clouds lifted as they made their way from Paine Grande to Refugio Grey. Once settled in at the refugio, the weather continued to improve so they took full advantage of the daylight and hopped in the kayaks for a tour up to the toe of the Grey Glacier. The 3-hour kayak tour is an incredible way to see the glacier and the icebergs that have recently calved off.

Tomorrow is their last day on the trail and a casual one at that. The team will likely sleep in a bit and enjoy a little down time before an afternoon hike up the trail along the Grey Glacier.

Tye Chapman

Piscos At Paine In Patagonia

February 18, 2015

: Hanging glaciers in the French Valley. (Photo by Tye Chapman)

: French Valley Waterfall (Photo Tye Chapman)

Our Patagonia crew down in Torres del Paine National Park enjoyed another day on the trail.Â Though a little rainy and sometimes a lot windy, they managed to get some great views of the French Valley. First stop was Italian Camp to cache their packs making the side trip up into the valley a little easier. From there the team split into a couple groups – one group went with Chris up to the lookout, the other group went with Tadeo down to the waterfall. Everybody wins! Regardless of where you went the striking views of the hanging glaciers at the head of the valley are impressive to say the least. These glaciers calve off huge chunks of ice causing some big avalanches. The sounds can be thunderous!

The team reunited back at their packs at Italian Camp and finished up lakeside at Refugio Paine Grande. They’ve already wrapped up dinner and have retired to the bar. Yes there’s a bar at this refugio. Let’s not feel too sorry for these guys!

Tomorrow they’ll head up to Refugio Grey where they’ll spend two nights giving them plenty of time to explore the area.

Tye Chapman

One Team At C2 Another Wrapping Up In Mendoza

Feb 18, 2015

Luke & Sara’s crew of misfits.

Luke Reillyâ€™s crew is back in Mendoza and members will begin flying home today or tomorrow.Â This oneâ€™s a wrap.Â Safe, successful and enjoyable â€“ those are our three favorite words to describe a good trip.Â Well done, gang.

Mike Hamillâ€™s crew is on their way to C2 today.Â Theyâ€™re ready to move up and sleep at that higher altitude.Â Slow and steady is the key.

Phil Ershler