IMG Kilimanjaro Team Celebrates in Moshi

December 28th, 2023–

IMG Kilimanjaro Team with summit certificates (Phunuru)

IMG Guide Phunuru let us know the team has safely and excitedly arrived back to Moshi in celebratory spirits. Climbers received summit certificates and enjoyed showers and a filling dinner before a restful night at a nearby hotel. Tomorrow the team will have lunch in Arusha before flying to Serengeti for the Safari. Congrats, again, to our Kilimanjaro team for an 100% success!

IMG Kilimanjaro Climbers, Guides, and Staff on a bright day (Phunuru)

100% Kilimanjaro Summits!

December 27, 2023

Phunuru reports the Kilimanjaro team had a gorgeous summit climb with nice weather and a spectacular sunrise from the Crater Rim on the way to Uhuru Peak (the true summit).

: On the crater rim between Stella Point and Uhuru Peak (Phunuru)

: Looking out over the summit of Mawenzi Peak at dawn (Phunuru)

: Ice cap on the summit of Kilimanjaro with Mt Meru behind (Phunuru)

Now the team has completed their descent back to Barafu Camp. After some lunch and a rest break, they will continue their descent to the thick air down at Mweka Camp (about 10,000 ft). Well done team!

Eric Simonson

Kilimanjaro team is ready to climb!

December 26, 2023

Phunuru reports that the team had a nice hike today from Karanga Camp up to the Barafu Camp (about 15,000 ft), which they reached in time for lunch. Then, they spent the afternoon resting, hydrating, and getting ready to climb tonight. After an early dinner everyone headed to the tents for some more rest before their planned departure at midnight.

: On the way to Barafu with Mt Meru in the background (Phunuru)

: At Barafu Camp (Phunuru)

The weather report is good and we’ll be looking forward to hearing news of their climb. Best wishes to the team!

Eric Simonson

Merry Christmas from Karanga Camp!

December 25, 2023

Phunuru dressed up as Santa at Karanga Camp (Phunuru)

This morning our Kilimanjaro team wished us all a Merry Christmas from Karanga Camp! The team had a lovely hike up and over the Barranco Wall and pulled into camp before lunch so the team was able to have a restful afternoon. Tomorrow the team will have a shorter day travelling to Barafu Camp where they will go to sleep early to be prepared for their summit attempt!

Audrey Simonson

Kilimanjaro Climbers Arrive at Barranco Camp!

December 24, 2023

Hanging out at Barranco Camp with the Breach Wall behind (Phunuru)

Our Kilimanjaro climbers had an excellent hike up to Lava Tower today for acclimatization where they had lunch, looking out over the vast landscape. After lunch, climbers descended to Barranco Camp, situated at the base of the Baranco Wall, where they enjoyed a delicious roast chicken Christmas dinner with the entire team. Tomorrow, the team will tackle the infamous Barranco Wall and end up at Karanga Camp tomorrow night.

All’s well for our Kilimanjaro climbers!

Audrey Simonson

Kilimanjaro climbers reach Shira Camp

December 23, 2023

On the trail between Machame Camp and Shira Camp (Phunuru)

Kilimanjaro team at Shira Camp (Phunuru)

Kilimanjaro poking out of the clouds from Shira Camp (Phunuru)

Phunuru Sherpa reports that the team had a smooth trip up to the Shira Camp at about 12,500 feet. Their hike today was punctuated by some rain, which required donning their rain gear until the showers passed. Later in the afternoon, it cleared up and the sun came back out. Welcome to Kilimanjaro weather! Phunuru says that the team is enjoying the new more spacious tents that we sent over, with lots of room for everyone!

Tomorrow the team will climb up to Lava Tower, before descending to Barranco Camp. Everyone is feeling healthy and having fun. All’s well on Kilimanjaro!

Eric Simonson

IMG Kilimanjaro Team reaches Machame Camp (~10,000′)

December 22, 2023–

IMG Kilimanjaro Climbers in high spirits at the Machame Gate (Phunuru)

IMG Senior Guide Phunuru checked in and let us know the team has settled in at Machame Camp after an enjoyable day walking through the rainforest. The team moved well and were in great spirits after reaching camp in 4 hours and 45 minutes! Climbers look forward to a restful night before continuing their journey out of the rainforest towards Shira Plateau (~12,000ft), in the zone of “weird plants” like the Lobelia and Groundsel.

Walking through the rainforest towards Machame Camp (Phunuru)

Spacious tents at Machame Camp (Phunuru)

IMG Kilimanjaro Team excited for the journey ahead (Phunuru)

Kilimanjaro climbers ready to go!

December 21, 2023–

IMG Kilimanjaro team commences their journey over breakfast (Phunuru)

IMG senior guide Phunuru Sherpa reports from Moshi Tanzania that the December Kilimanjaro team have arrived with all their luggage. Good news! Today the members finished packing and weighing their duffel bags and had a chance to visit the town. Also, Phunuru and Kassim (our head Chagga guide) inspected the new tents that we sent over and worked on getting all the camping gear packed up. Phunuru says that the weather is quite warm, that the countryside is green from recent rains, and that there is some fresh snow on the summit of Kilimanjaro. Sounds like excellent conditions! They will be departing at 8am tomorrow morning for the Mahame Gate where they will get checked in with the Park and then start their climb. All’s well in Tanzania!

IMG Climbers enjoying the market in Moshi (Phunuru)

All packed up, ready to go (Phunuru)

Vinson climbers return to Base Camp

December 14th, 2023–

Vinson Basecamp (Eric Simonson)

IMG lead guide Porter McMichael reported that the team has safely descended from High Camp back to Vinson Base Camp. Everyone is doing well, tired and happy! It sounds like the summit day was clear and very cold, with air temps about -38C (recall that the Celsius and Fahrenheit scales cross at -40 so the temp was basically the same using either scale!). On the summit they had no wind, so it was perfect, but down lower they encountered 10mph winds that made for a bitter wind chill (estimated at minus 66 F). That’s why climbers bring all that warm gear!

They are now waiting to fly back over to Union Glacier Camp. Their flight from Union Glacier back to Punta Arenas is scheduled for December 18.

Eric Simonson

Vinson team on Top!

December 13th, 2023–

Porter sent us an Inreach on their descent from the summit: “100% on Top”. Congrats, team!

Last steps to the summit of Mt. Vinson (Eric Simonson)

They made it back to High Camp last “night” (actually it is 24 hour daylight) after their big summit day. After a good rest, their next goal will be to get back down the fixed ropes to Low Camp, and then continue down Branscomb Glacier to Base Camp. We’ll keep you posted!

Eric Simonson