February 15, 2015
A view from the top
Great sat phone call this morning from Luke, Sara, Martin and the group from the summit of Aconcagua. Not a cloud in the sky and about a 5 mph breeze. That’s as good as it’s going to get. They still have a hard walk down to high camp but they get that done and then have a well-deserved rest. One more big walk tomorrow with full packs and then the celebrations begin in earnest.
Congratulations to all on a safe, successful and fun climb!
Phil Ershler
February 14, 2015
One of many postcard moments in Torres del Paine National Park. (Photo by Tye Chapman)
Chris called in this afternoon from Refugio Chileno reporting that the team had a great day on the trail. They made their way up to Los Torres for some great views. Early rain subsided late in the day make the views all the better!
Their evening was highlighted by a huge cake that the refugio staff whipped up. To top it off the new guy on staff dressed up like cupid and shot a couple arrows. Not what they were expecting but fun nonetheless!
Tomorrow they’ll head up into the Silence Valley.
Tye Chapman
February 14, 2015
The team on top!
Short and sweet dispatch on Valentine’s Day – Mike Haft, his wife, Kim, and their team ALL stood on the summit of Kilimanjaro early this morning. They are now all the way down to Mweka Camp.
Happy Valentine’s Day To & From All!
Phil Ershler
February 13, 2015
Here’s the news from IMG AROUND THE WORLD.
First, Mike Haft and crew are up, having a quick breakfast and heading towards the summit of Kilimanjaro. Weather is fine so here’s hoping everyone stays healthy and strong and is able to reach the top. A huge effort is required and we’re pulling for them all.
Chris Meder has picked up his second Patagonia team for the month and is on his way to Puerto Natales, with a little penguin viewing on the way. He’s looking forward to his second great Patagonia trek. The walking starts tomorrow.
On Aconcagua, Luke Reilly just checked in to let us know that the team put in their final carry today to C3, high camp. They’ll move up to C3 tomorrow and try to take their shot on Sunday morning. Forecast is favorable and the crew’s getting anxious. Mike Hamill and team pulled into base camp today. They say good-bye to the mules and the members take over the carrying duties from now on. Tomorrow will be a day off for them. Makes total sense after their first 3 days on the trail and their first night at these altitudes.
All’s good with IMG teams in the Southern Hemisphere.
Phil Ershler
February 12, 2015
Picture perfect.
Nice weather for a rest day at C2 for Luke, Sara, Martin and crew. Sunny and only light winds. Perfect for eating, drinking and generally relaxing. Just what the doctor ordered. They’ve had 4 solid days of making carries and moving to progressively higher camps and today was a well-deserved break. Forecast remains favorable for the next few days.
Down below, Mike, Ian, Leandro and team are at Casa Piedra. Day 2 of their approach is complete and they will be pulling into base camp at Plaza Argentina tomorrow afternoon.
All’s well on Aconcagua.
Phil Ershler
February 12, 2015
Mt. Meru
Day 4 on Kilimanjaro is now complete. Team’s at Karanga Camp (13,500 ft). Mike Haft reported a beautiful sunset and that the team is about ready to hit the sack. By taking 7 days for the climb, the team’s able to have a short day into high camp tomorrow and it allows them to get into camp very early in the afternoon. They’ll need that time to eat, drink, get packed and rest – all in anticipation of an early wakeup call and breakfast before beginning their summit attempt. We need everyone to continue to take care of themselves, stay healthy and start getting seriously excited. Summit day is just around the corner, so to speak.
Phil Ershler
February 12, 2015
IMG Guide Chris Meder sent a nice wrap-up email and a few photos after the team’s farewell dinner last night.
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From: Chris Meder
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2015
To: Tye Chapman
Subject: “W” = Wild Wind Wine
Tye,
We’re just back from our farewell dinner in Puerto Natales at a place called Aldea. It’s a lock for best spot in town. Amazing meals all around – asado beef and lamb, curry seafood stew to name a few.
With a little help from our great local guide, Roberto, the boat down Lago Grey today worked out great despite the winds. A last swing by the Grey Glacier for a closeup view of the ice really capped off the trip in Torres Del Paine. It’s truly one of the world’s great chunks of earth.
We spent dinner tonight reliving the memories of the trek to wrap up a great adventure on IMG’s version of the “W”. I posed this question to the group: How do we sum this whole thing up? Their answer? The “W” equals Wild Wind Wine. Hard to argue with that.
-Chris
February 11, 2015
Well that’s a wrap for our second Patagonia trek of the season. The captain of the Grey II ran the boat across Lago Grey this afternoon despite some strong winds. That sure beats the 4 hour backtrack down to Paine Grande for the catamaran across Lago Pehoe.
The boat ride put them across the lake in a couple hours where the van was waiting to take them back to Puerto Natales. Standard operating procedure when back in town – shower up, send a couple emails then hit the town for dinner.
Tomorrow it’s in the van and back to the Punta Arenas Airport for most of the crew. Chris on the other hand will head back to the hotel in Punta to meet our third and final Patagonia Trek of the season. Yup, Chris gets to do it all over again – and he’s pretty excited about it!
Tye Chapman
February 11, 2015
Mike’s team having dinner in Penitentes.
The news from Aconcagua is still good. Luke Reilly called in to tell me that his crew made the move today to C2. That’s big news. He reports it’s snowing but winds are light. The forecast remains good through early next week so we’re thinking this might be something localized and on its way through. They’re doing fine.
Mike Hamill and crew are walking today to Pampas Lenas on their first day of the approach. First day on the trail is always exciting as everyone’s anxious to get the show on the road.
Phil Ershler
February 11, 2015
Giant senecio.
Remember, it’s 11 hours later on Kilimanjaro than it is here in Seattle, so we already know how their day’s gone when we post something on the blog. They had another great day today. Really great, actually. Everyone handled the new altitudes well. Their high point is a spot at the Lava Tower, right around 15,000’. The Chagga staff treated the team to a hot lunch there. With all the ‘up’ behind them, this was a pretty nice surprise.
Afterwards, the rest of their day was down – down to Barranco Camp at approx. 13,000’. Barranco is probably the most scenic of the camps. Lots of giant senecio and full-on views of the Breach Wall and the Barranco Wall. Tomorrow’s objective is to climb the Baranco Wall. Not nearly as bad as it looks from camp. The team’s in for a couple of hours of fun scrambling. Tomorrow, all in all, is just a fun day.
Phil Ershler
