July 25, 2014
IMG lead guide Peter Anderson called in from the trek yesterday evening. The team is doing well and had a successful first day on the trek.
Today will be a rather long day for the group up and over Dead Woman’s Pass.
George Dunn
Bolivia Climbers Enjoying Lake Titicaca
July 24, 2014
From: Greg Vernovage
Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2014 7:17 PM
To: Eric Simonson
Subject: Bolivia Update
Eric,
Illimani from Lake Titicaca (Greg Vernovage)
All is well from Lake Titicaca.  We had an exciting boat ride today.  The lake had a few big waves during our ride out to Sun Island. The sky was crystal clear and the views perfect.  We could see Illimani all the way to our south. Our hike to the top of Sun Island and picnic on the shore made it all worth it.
After a smooth boat ride back and more walking around town and another test at altitude, we are ready to hit the road tomorrow and get to Tambo Condoriri. Time for us to start getting up close with our first objective.
Greg Vernovage
Kili Team Moving Right Along
July 24, 2014
The team at Shira Camp.
The Kilimanjaro team had a relatively easy day going up to Shira Camp. Overcast most of the day which made for a nice, cool walk. It’s a fairly short day which normally means an early dinner so the crew can get to bed early, too, in preparation for a longer day tomorrow. Bottom line – everything and everyone is good up on the hill.
Phil Ershler
Machu Picchu Inca Trail Trekkers Start Their Journey.
July 24, 2014
The team enjoying part of the Sacred Valley Tour.
IMG Guide Peter Anderson reported yesterday from Cusco. The Salkantay Trek members ended a successful trip and all members headed home. The Inca Trail team has arrived in Cusco, starting their program yesterday with a tour of the Sacred Valley. This morning was an early wakeup at their hotel for a bus ride to the trail head and the start of their trek.
Good luck to the team!
George Dunn
Kilimanjaro Team Reaches Machame Camp
July 23, 2014
The ‘before’ picture!
Sheldon Kerr called in from Machame Camp today reporting that the team made it to camp in just under 5 hours. Feels like a strong team. The team spent a good bit of the day talking geography, geology, flora and fauna.
Tomorrow they’ll head up through the ‘zone of weird plants’ on their way to Shira Plateau (12,000ft).
Phil Ershler
Missing Bag…No Problem
July 23, 2014
Elbrus from the observatory. (Viki Tracey)
Report from Mike Hamill from Terskol, in the Caucasus:
Great weather for our hike up to the Observatory today.  Mathew’s bag never showed.  He’s here now in Cheget.  He was able to buy some critical items in St. Petersburg. Team members are donating some their extra gear and we’ll  pick up the rest here. The group seems fit.  All is well here.
Mike
5 Days 3 Peaks
July 22, 2014
-
- Glacier Peak and Mount Rainier from up high on Forbidden Peak. (Photo by Eric Remza)
-
- Atmo on the summit of Forbidden. (Photo by Eric Remza)
IMG guide Eric Remza and his friend and client Atmo K. headed into the Boston Basin area of the North Cascades this past week for some alpine climbing. In one 5-day tour they were able to climb Sahale Peak, Sharkfin Tower and the West Ridge of Forbidden Peak in perfect weather. A good time was had by all!
George Dunn
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. The team finished all the gear checks today and had a nice welcome dinner. Overnight they had a light dusting of snow in LaPaz and the surrounding mountains are all looking white. 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). 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. 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. Justin, Sondra, Dallas, and Betsy went above and beyond everyone’s expectations every step of the way. IMG guides are truly masters of the profession! We all walked away yesterday deeply grateful. 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 HUGE banner recognizing our fundraising efforts for WNPF. What a surprise and delight! It gave us all a boost of energy when we were nearly spent. Thanks WNPF for supporting us! Next, we all went to IMG headquarters where climbers signed the 2014 Summit Board and received our Summit Certificates signed by the Guides. From there, all parties continued on to Copper Creek restaurant, hosted by WNPF, for more celebration. There we had even more surprises! We had the fortunate opportunity to have Tushar’s family, Paritosh’s good friend Seema (who was on the waitlist), and Randy King, who is the Superintendent of Mount Rainier National Park, join us at the restaurant. Having welcoming parties at Paradise and Ashford was the icing on the cake! Thanks to WNPF for setting up and hosting our get together at Copper Creek.
Congratulations to the team and all those who supported them.  You are all truly inspiring and the support you’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. Please chime in with more.
Blessings to you all!
Jules Dickerson