Salkantay Trek Wraps Up; Inca Trail Trek Begins

July 22, 2014

: Mystical Machu Picchu. (Photo by Peter Anderson)

: The team.

A great group, great weather, great staff, and a safe trek. What else could you ask for? The challenges of long days on the trail and crossing the Salkantay Pass were rewarded by hot showers in Aguas Calientes. However, on our last morning we awoke to the sound of rain on the rooftop, making us wonder weather we would have any views of Machu Picchu. The drizzle continued as we drove up to the ancient ruins, but shortly after arriving at the ruins the rain stopped and the clouds began to lift. As the clouds continued to rise we were treated to a mystical tour of the ancient site.

After touring Machu Picchu, we traveled back to Cusco for our celebration dinner. Almost the entire group headed for home on Sunday after some shopping and sightseeing.

As on trek wraps up, another begins. Today I’m working with our local outfitter as we get set for the arrival of our classic Inca Trail trekkers to arrive and begin our next adventure…

Peter Anderson

Bolivia Team Checks In From La Paz

July 22, 2014

IMG Bolivia climbers in La Paz.

IMG guides Greg Vernovage and Luke Reilly report that despite some flight delays, all the members and their luggage have successfully reached La Paz.Â The team finished all the gear checks today and had a nice welcome dinner.Â Overnight they had a light dusting of snow in LaPaz and the surrounding mountains are all looking white.Â The weather is excellent and the team are now on their way to Lake Titicaca for a few days of acclimatization and easy hiking (the lake is the largest in South America at 3,812m / 12,507ft).Â So far, so good!

Eric Simonson

WNPF/Microsoft Team Summits Mount Rainier

July 22, 2014

Each year Washington’s National Park Fund (WNPF) partners up with Microsoft and IMG to do a fundraiser climb of Mt. Rainier. This year they’re doing two! The first climb wrapped up late last week and was a great success. The entire team climbed under the super moon and summited during a beautiful sunrise. Jules summed up the climb pretty well in her wrap-up email:

—————————————————————————

From: Jules
Sent: Monday, July 14, 2014 10:04 AM
To: Multiple Recipients
Subject: 2014 July Mt. Rainier Climbers summit Mount Rainier

Hi there,

It gives me great pride to say the entire 2014 July Climb team, hosted by Microsoft, Â summited Mt Rainier around 6 am yesterday! CONGRATULATIONS! Both the weather and super moon provided us the opportunity to have a stellar weekend on the mountain with glorious clear days and nights.

The guides from IMG, once again, were absolutely amazing.Â Their preparation and stewardship of our journey from gear check all the way back down to the IMG headquarters was key to achieving our goal.Â Justin, Sondra, Dallas, and Betsy went above and beyond everyoneâ€™s expectations every step of the way. IMG guides are truly masters of the profession!Â We all walked away yesterday deeply grateful.Â THANK YOU IMG!

: The team and Mount Rainier National Park Superintendent Randy King (left)

: The team on the steps at Paradise. All Smiles after a summit!

At Paradise, Kathleen from WNPF and her friend Sally were standing with a HUGEÂ banner recognizing our fundraising efforts for WNPF.Â What a surprise and delight!Â It gave us all a boost of energy when we were nearly spent.Â Thanks WNPF for supporting us!Â Next, we all went to IMG headquarters where climbers signed the 2014 Summit Board and received our Summit Certificates signed by the Guides.Â From there, all parties continued on to Copper Creek restaurant, hosted by WNPF, for more celebration.Â There we had even more surprises!Â We had the fortunate opportunity to have Tusharâ€™s family, Paritoshâ€™s good friend Seema (who was on the waitlist), and Randy King, who is the Superintendent of Mount Rainier National Park,Â join us at the restaurant.Â Having welcoming parties at Paradise and Ashford was the icing on the cake!Â Thanks to WNPF for setting up and hosting our get together at Copper Creek.

Congratulations to the team and all those who supported them.Â Â You are all truly inspiring and the support youâ€™ve provided will help keep our parks around for generations to come.

I am sure the above is a fraction of all the generosity of this event.Â Please chime in with more.

Blessings to you all!

Jules Dickerson

Kili Team Takes It All In

July 21, 2014

Just in from Sheldon and our July Kilimanjaro team:

â€œWe are all safe and sound in the Keys Hotel. We had a great trip to Moshi – visited the Kilimanjaro Porter Assistance Project and a few artist’s shops. Enjoyed stone-oven pizza from the Key’s kitchen for lunch. Off early tomorrow to start the climbâ€.

And, she sent us a photo of that pizza lunch.

The team enjoying pizza at the Key’s Hotel

Phil Ershler

Kili Team Arrives In Moshi

July 21, 2014

The Goal (photo: Andy Carafelli)

IMG Senior Guide, Sheldon Kerr, dropped us a note today from Moshi, Tanzania.Â Teamâ€™s arrived and all their luggage.Â How many times have we written about how big a deal that is?! Travel is tough.Â Climbing is easy.

Gear checks, a walk around Moshi and shaking off a bit of jet lag will be the next order of business.Â Itâ€™s almost game time!

Phil Ershler

Elbrus Team In St. Petersburg

July 21, 2014

: Group in front of the Hermitage

: Sasha and Mark on Elbrus

Mike Hamill reported in from St. Petersburg today.Â Crew had a good day touring St. Petersburg.Â Off to Mineralnye Vody tomorrow and the 4 hour drive up to the village of Terskol in the Caucasus.Â Still one bag to come in but, otherwise, all is good.Â Climbing Elbrus sure is a great excuse to go see a bit of Russia.

And, we wanted to post a photo of Mark and Sasha on Elbrus last week. Way to go, Mark.

Phil Ershler

Â Theyâ€™re off and Running

July 20, 2014

St. Isaacâ€™s Cathedral in St. Petersburg

Mike Hamill checked in today from St. Petersburg where Igor Tsaruk and he met our second Elbrus team of the 2014 season.Â First big hurdle has been cleared â€“ almost.Â Everyone made it in and has been checked into our hotel, had dinner and sent off to bed.Â Two bags have not yet arrived but shouldnâ€™t be an issue.Â The team has all of tomorrow for those bags to catch up prior to the groupâ€™s departure for the Caucasus.Â Two nights in St. Petersburg, on arrival, makes dealing with delayed luggage easier.Â Not easy, but easier.Â Full day of touring tomorrow with an English speaking guide.Â Fun to begin to get a feel for Russia.

Phil Ershler

Trekkers Get First Glimpse Of Machu Picchu

July 18, 2014

One of the many astounding views the team will enjoy tomorow. (Photo by Tye Chapman)

Peter Anderson called in today with another good report from the trail. The last two days have been great. Today they got their first glimpse of Machu Picchu with some nice views of the eastern side. They finished off the day with a train ride into Aquas Calientes and a short walk to their 5-start hotel. Tomorrow it’s an early wake-up call and a trip into the park to explore all that Machu Picchu has to offer.

Tye Chapman

View From The Top

July 17, 2014

3 of the 5 summiters at the top

3/5â€™s of our summit team on Elbrus.Â 2/5â€™s, Sasha and Mark, were taking the picture!Â What a sensational morning to climb.Â Sometimes it just pays to be lucky.

Phil Ershler

Salkantay Trekkers Up And Over The Pass

July 16, 2014

Countless views on the trail! (Kelly Ryan)

Peter Anderson called in today to report that all continues to go well on the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu! They made it up and over the pass and are back down to Collcapampa hot springs (12,500ft).

Tomorrow they’ll head downhill through several different ecological zones all the way down to the Santa Teresa River. The ‘low lands’ will be a lot warmer and will be littered with waterfalls, bright flowers and exotic birds. They’ll climb back up to Paltaybamba, a small Andean community whereÂ their bus will be waiting to transfer them to Eco Quechua, their campsite for the night.

That’s all for now!

Tye Chapman