August 2, 2014
Heading Home
Final check in (or check out) from Sheldon and the Kili group. It’s a wrap, they’re done. Everyone’s on flights home. The end of one trip just means that we’ll be beginning the next soon. Stay tuned for September dispatches by our team led by Andy Politz. And, there are still a couple of slots remaining with Max Bunce on the Christmas trip. Your Kilimanjaro experience awaits.
Phil Ershler
August 1, 2014
From: Greg Vernovage
Sent: Friday, August 01, 2014 1:06 PM
To: Eric Simonson
Subject: Bolivia Update
Summit of Pequeño Alpamayo (Steve Neill)
Eric,
All is well here in Bolivia.  We have had two great climbs of Pequeño Alpamayoa and Huayna Potosi! Perfect weather as usual for the mountains down here.  The temperatures have been on the cooler side but not unbearable.
Our Pequeño Alpamayo ascent began with an acclimatization hike up Pico Austria from Condoriri Base Camp.  Pequeño Alpamayo (17,482′) gave us everything we were looking for.  A couple hours up the glacier and onto the “first” summit of Tarija Peak.  From here, we can see our full objective.  Then, down the rock and across the saddle, we climb up one of the most scenic ridges to the summit!  We spent a good 45 minutes on top, looking at the jungle to our east and the Altiplano to our west.
How do we “top” that? Â Huayna Potosi is nearly 6,000 meters (19,974′) and has a summit ridge that can leave you nearly breathless. Â What a day! Â We started climbing at 3 am and saw the city lights of El Alto. Â Climbing the challenging bergschrund through the dark, we cross the mountain and are rewarded with the sun rise over the jungle. Â The summit ridge needs our full attention, but we just can’t help looking at Lake Titicaca in the distance after we clip each of the running belays. Check out the summit video!
So far so good. Â We are back in La Paz for a little rest and then the team is off to Illimani. Â The reports are that the mountain is once again in fantastic condition. Â It is a big mountain, but we are ready for the challenge!
Greg Vernovage
July 31, 2014
Sunrise from Shira Plateau Camp (Eben Reckord)
There are a few spots left for the Kilimanjaro Holiday climb and Safari, Dec. 20 – Jan 1st. Come join lead guide Max Bunce for an exciting climb up Kilimanjaro followed by a spectacular safari in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater. One of the famed 7 summits, Kilimanjaro is non-technical but it is high! 19,341′ to be precise. This is a great way to experience high altitude for those who are looking to do more technical high altitude climbs in the future and for those who want to experience a world class summit without the added pressures of technical climbing. Max is an experienced high altitude guide with many summits around the world including 4 summits of Kilimanjaro. Safety and fun are Max’s priorities so get ready for a once in a lifetime trip!
Clarissa Hughes
July 31, 2014
The GUM (Glavnyi Universalnyi Magazin)
Mike and team are now all in Moscow. Time to be play tourist and see as much of Moscow as possible before flights home tomorrow evening. Tours this afternoon and tomorrow morning. The Kremlin, Red Square, the GUM, Sparrow Hill and Moscow University, Old Arbot Street – you get the idea. Weather, if anything, is too nice. Warm in Moscow right now.
Phil Ershler
July 30, 2014
Huayna Potosi from Charquini, Bolivia
IMG guide Greg Vernovage reports from High Camp (“Campamento Argentino†at 16,380ft ) on Huayna Potosi that the team is feeling the altitude but doing well. They made the move up from Zongo Pass without issue. He says they are expecting a bit of snow in the morning, but planning to climb to the summit. We’ll be looking forward to hear how it goes for them!
Eric Simonson
July 30, 2014
Here kitty kitty.
Shopping in Arusha and a nice buffet lunch at the Arusha Hotel today for the Kili team.
They’re now heading to the airport and their private flight to the Serengeti.
It’s safari time!
Phil Ershler
July 30, 2014
Another note from Mike Hamill over on Elbrus:
Phil,
We had a great day in the Valley and the team is psyched. A few of the team went on a hike in the valley with Igor and the rest went higher with Sasha and me across the glacier to a lake from above the tram. Great hike and good option for when our extra contingency isn’t required for the mountain. Just cool glacier walking.  Heading on to Moscow in the morning.
Mike
July 29, 2014
This email in overnight from Sheldon and the Kilimanjaro team:
Phil,
Our team made it to Mweka camp at 4:30 last night and had a well-deserved dinner and night of rest.
We departed camp at 6:30 this morning and were at the Mweka gate by 10:00am. Â The entire team re-united for lunch at the Keys Hotel.
The team is strong, happy and healthy. We’re anxious now to get on safari!
Everybody loves the safari!
July 29, 2014
IMG lead guide Peter Anderson called last night to report that the group had safely returned back to Cusco and was settling in at the hotel, soon to be followed by showers and a celebration dinner.
Peter reports that four members of the party elected to climb up Huayna Picchu early in the morning for a final birds-eye view of Machu Picchu. The rest of the team elected to shop and relax in the town of Agua Calientes before the train ride and private bus trip back to Cusco. All are tired and happy. Tomorrow the team will depart for Lima and the long flight back home.
Congratulations to the team for an excellent adventure and great effort in Peru!
George Dunn
July 28, 2014
Pequeño Alpamayo (Photo by Greg Vernovage)
IMG guides Greg Vernovage and Luke Reilly called to report that the team had a nice climb today of Pequeño Alpamayo (17,482′). Conditions and weather were good. Everyone is back now to the Condoriri Base Camp, and tomorrow they will head for Huayna Potosi Base Camp. Well done, team!
Eric Simonson
