Kili Team Cruised Into Barranco Camp Today

August 5, 2015

Descending to Barranco Camp.

Dustin called in from Barranco Camp at 13,000 feet.Â Today is the first big challenge for the team.Â The trek is gradually uphill most of the morning.Â The uphill is highlighted by a stop at the Lava Tower and then a nice coast into camp.

With their sights set on tomorrows objective, Dustin said that he will give an overview of the Barranco Wall.

The group is doing great and they are excited to see what is in front of them.Â They re getting ready for a summit attempt!

Greg Vernovage

Alps Team Enjoying The Mont Blanc Area

August 4, 2015

: Balcony of the Monchjoch Hut (Photo T. Sleeman)

: Climbing on the Monch (Photo T. Sleeman)

The Classic Alps program has been checking in periodically as they climb their way through the Alps. After climbing the Monch (see photos above) and departing Wengen, they moved on to Chamonix where the team set up at a local hotel for some serious climbing in and around the Mont Blanc Massif. Even though Mont Blanc itself is not climbable this season, there are endless classic routes to be done in the area. Â On August 3 the team climbed the Arete des Cosmiques ( Cosmiques Ridge), a fun introduction to alpine â€œmixedâ€ climbing. This route provides a mixed bag of rock, snow and ice climbing that ends up back on the balcony of the gondola station, the Aiguille du Midi. I hear the group is headingÂ off to Italy for a long rock rock climb tomorrow, so more details an hopefully photos to follow!

George Dunn

Kili Climbers Enjoying A Little Sun

August 4, 2015

Shira camp Kili coming out of the clouds.

Dustin checked in from a dry Shira Plateau on Kilimanjaro.Â The morning had us walking through a lot of mist which made things cool and damp.

Once the team broke out of the jungle and onto the Shira Plateau, the sun came out and Kilimanjaro was in full view! They pulled into camp around 2:30, had some tea and dried everything out.Â All in all a great day!

Tomorrow is an early wake up time and some great acclimatization.Â The lava tower and their first look at the Barranco Wall.

Greg Vernovage

Kili Team Tucked In At Machame Camp

August 3 ,2015

Machame Camp

The Kilimanjaro climbers had a nice day trekking through the jungle on their way to Machame Camp.

The weather prediction was for some light rain and Dustin confirmed the report.Â It rained a little but we were covered up by the jungle so it did not affect us.Â The team is getting tucked into Machame Camp and going to have some tea before dinner.

A little mist is not a bad thing for the first couple days, it keeps the dust down.Â The forecast is for a couple more days of overcast weather but nothing crazy.

All is well on Kilimanjaro!

Greg Vernovage

Kilimanjaro Team Arrives In Moshi

August 1, 2015

Things to Remember (Greg Vernovage)

Dustin just called to let us all know that the entire team has arrived in Moshi with all of their luggage.Â Arriving after a long flight with all of your gear is a nice feeling.Â Dustin met the team at the airport and gave them an update on the mountain and safari which he just completed.

They are off to a late dinner and good sleep.Â Tomorrow will be gear checks and the a tour around Moshi. The next group is in the starting gate!

Here we go!

Greg Vernovage

Bolivia Team Back In La Paz

July 31, 2015

: Huayna Glacier (Luke Reilly)

: Pequeno Alpamayo. (Luke Reilly)

: Huayna Summit Team

Luke and the team are back in La Paz after a climbing a couple great peaks.Â The weather has been great and snow conditions perfect.Â Pequeno Alpamayo and Huayna Potosi offer some great challenges, high altitude and endless views.

Looking at the photos Luke and Andy sent in, the gang looks psyched!Â Dinner tonight at one of the top restaurants in all of South America, Gustu.Â This team is finishing it off nicely!Â Well done everyone.

Greg Vernovage

That’s A Wrap In Russia

July 31, 2015

Teamâ€™s back in Moscow and had a great final dinner together after an afternoon of sightseeing.Â Kremlin and Red Square in the morning/afternoon and then the gang heads off in different directions late tomorrow afternoon.Â All is well in Russia.

Phil Ershler

Safari Closes With A Rhino Sighting

July 31, 2015

: Lion (Greg Vernovage)

: Cheetah (Greg Vernovage)

: Elephants (Greg Vernovage)

Dustin called from the Farmhouse.Â What can we say?Â A great climb of Kilimanjaro followed up by tons of wildlife viewing.

The team stopped at Olduvai Gorge on their way to the Ngorongoro Crater to see where the earliest known human species walked millions of years ago. It is really amazing how much wildlife can be seen in the Ngorongoro Crater!Â This is a super volcano packed with tons of wildlife.Â The team finished off the big five with a rhino sighting today.

A button down shirt for dinner tonight at the Farmhouse and then they’ll wrap things up tomorrow.

Greg Vernovage

Updates From 4 Different Continents

Julyl 29, 2015

: The Monch with the cograil train terminal, the Jungfraujoch on the rock in the foreground. (Photo T. Purcell)

: The Machu Picchu Team

: The Kili Team on the summit.

: Giraffes

: Huayna Potosi. (Greg Vernovage)

: Little Tahoma

Machu Picchu Trek Back In Cusco
IMG guide Peter Anderson called in yesterday to report that the entire team was back in Cusco. Early in the morning the team rose for their last day at Machu Picchu. The majority of the team hiked up nearby Huayna Picchu Peak for a great view of the site, others chose to explore Machu Picchu and others stayed down in the town of Aguas Calientes to sightsee and rest. The team caught the train out of town mid-day and then were met by a private bus for transport back to the hotel in Cusco. The team had a celebration dinner last night and are on their way to Lima and eventually back home today. Congratulations all for a great and successful program! -George Dunn

Cordillera Blanca Trek Finishes Final Climb Of Urus
IMG guide Jason Edwards called today after safely returning from the teamâ€™s final summit climb of Urus. Urus is a little lower in elevation than Ishinca, but it had some steeper sections of ice/snow that made the climb equally challenging. Jason reports that all are healthy and resting this evening. They will hike out to the town of Juaraz tomorrow and spend a final day in town on Friday. Saturday theyÂ start their journey back home. -George Dunn

Classic Alps Climb leaves Zermatt and heading to Wengen
The Alps program guides (Liz Smart, Forest McBrian and Aaron Mainer) report that all is well with their team. After a warmup day on the Riffelhorn, the team hiked in to climb the Weissmies on Tuesday, then back to the hotel in Zermatt for a climb up the Breithorn on Wednesday (today). After the climb they will travel by train to the town of Wengen (near Grindelwald) and will spend the night in a hotel there. Thursday (tomorrow) the team will have a relaxed morning in Wengen and then take an afternoon cable car ride up to the Monch Hut and a planned climb of the Monch the following day. Sounds like fun! -George Dunn

Dustin Checked In From The Serengeti
Wow, I don’t know where to begin. First, the flight to the Serengeti was amazing. We could see hippos and zebras as we were coming in for the landing. Then as soon as we landed we were off for game viewing in very comfortable extended Land Cruisers with a pop-tops. Within the first two hours we saw hundreds ofÂ gazelles, zebras, tons of elephants – including many calves, hundreds of African buffaloes, a pride ofÂ lions, giraffes, cheetahs – with 4 cubs, hyenas, a warthog, more hippos,Â many cool birds and I’m sure I’m missing several more!! Needless to say we couldn’t stop talking about all the wildlife. Really amazing. And all so soon after landing!

Oh but it didn’t stop there. Once we arrived at the Serengeti Wilderness Lodge we were blown away once again. ‘Glamping’ is an understatement! Besides the ‘tents’ being very luxurious, the food and staff areÂ also amazing. Tomorrow morning after breakfast we are off for our morning game drive at 7:30. We are very excited for what we will see! We missed a leopard by about 10 minutes today so maybe tomorrow?? I’ll let you know what we see.Â -Dustin Balderach

Bolivia Team At Huayna Potosi High Camp
Luke called in from High Camp on Huayna Potosi.Â Â It was a nice hike to the High Camp Refugio on Huayna Potosi for the team today. The team will get moving by 3:30 am and walk uphill with the lights of El Alto off to their west.Â As the sun comes up, the team will work through the bergschrund and look to the east and the jungle.Â It is a welcome sunrise because the temperatures can be pretty cold at that elevation.Â A couple more hours and they will be on top! – Greg Vernovage

Three Teams On Top Today
We had three team summits inside Mt. Rainier National Park today. One team summited Mt. Rainier via the Emmons Route, another summited Rainier via the DC Route and our third summit was as team over on Little Tahoma.Â If you’re doing the math that’s 28 summits today! All teams are making their way out to the trailhead or to their respective camps. Tomorrow brings some sore legs and a guilt free cheeseburger. – Tye Chapman

Elbrus Team Takes A Hike

July 28, 2015

Hiking in the Caucasus

Mike was able to email this team photo.Â Leisurely day, hiking, eating and relaxing.Â Always nice to have your contingent days AFTER your summit climb.Â Knowing you didnâ€™t have to use those extras days, dealing with bad weather, is a good thing.

Phil Ershler