July 21, 2014
Just in from Sheldon and our July Kilimanjaro team:
“We 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
July 21, 2014
The Goal (photo: Andy Carafelli)
IMG Senior Guide, Sheldon Kerr, dropped us a note today from Moshi, Tanzania. Team’s arrived and all their luggage. How many times have we written about how big a deal that is?! Travel is tough. Climbing is easy.
Gear checks, a walk around Moshi and shaking off a bit of jet lag will be the next order of business. It’s almost game time!
Phil Ershler
July 21, 2014
Mike Hamill reported in from St. Petersburg today. Crew had a good day touring St. Petersburg. Off to Mineralnye Vody tomorrow and the 4 hour drive up to the village of Terskol in the Caucasus. Still one bag to come in but, otherwise, all is good. 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
July 20, 2014
St. Isaac’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. First big hurdle has been cleared – almost. Everyone made it in and has been checked into our hotel, had dinner and sent off to bed. Two bags have not yet arrived but shouldn’t be an issue. The team has all of tomorrow for those bags to catch up prior to the group’s departure for the Caucasus. Two nights in St. Petersburg, on arrival, makes dealing with delayed luggage easier. Not easy, but easier. Full day of touring tomorrow with an English speaking guide. Fun to begin to get a feel for Russia.
Phil Ershler
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
July 17, 2014
3 of the 5 summiters at the top
3/5’s of our summit team on Elbrus. 2/5’s, Sasha and Mark, were taking the picture! What a sensational morning to climb. Sometimes it just pays to be lucky.
Phil Ershler
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 where their bus will be waiting to transfer them to Eco Quechua, their campsite for the night.
That’s all for now!
Tye Chapman
July 16, 2014
The last little bit. (Viki Tracey)
Perfect weather for a perfect summit climb. Mike reported that it could not have been a better day and that the ‘crew’ could not have done a better job. Everything was so good, in fact, that the team made a beeline from the summit to the high hut, packed up for a quick trip down to the chair lift and trams and were back at their hotel in Terskol, taking a shower and having a big dinner that same evening. Not often we can pull a summit day off that ends back at the hotel but sometimes the stars line up. Congrats to Brian, Mark and Jack. Heck of a job, guys. Something tells me that this will be the first of many – maybe even another SIX. And, of course, congratulations to Mike and Sasha for pulling off one seriously sweet (and quick) climb of Elbrus.
Mike will be heading shortly to St. Petersburg where he’ll meet our second team for the season. Igor and Sasha will join Mike and our full team of 10 climbers for another Elbrus adventure. As they say, stay tuned.
Phil Ershler
July 15, 2014
On the trail to Machu Picchu. (Kelly Ryan)
IMG Lead Guide Peter Anderson called in from our Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu with good news. The team is doing well after their first full day on the trail. 8.5 hours on the trail today that topped out at 13,500ft – they’re pretty well tuckered out but doing just fine.
Relax. Hydrate. Eat. Sleep.
Tomorrow they’ll take the right side of the moraine and start climbing up to turquoise colored Suyrococha lake at 14,280 feet in elevation. From there they’ll continue on up to the top of Salkantay Pass at 15,180ft where they’ll enjoy spectacular views of the glacier and the surrounding peaks. After a nice rest and some photos it’s downhill to a campsite at Andenes.
That’s all for now…
Tye Chapman
July 15, 2014
Hiking to Pastokov Rocks (Viki Tracey)
This email in from Mike and the Elbrus crew. They’re up at the hut, have done their acclimatization stints and put in the needed time at altitude. Forecast is good and it’s time to climb. In Mike’s words:
“We had a good hike up to Pastokov Rocks today.  It was whiteout on top today but the forecast is great for tomorrow.  Our plan is to summit tonight and if we make it down at a reasonable hour, the guys want to drop back down all the way to the valley. I’ll shoot you a note with some photos tomorrow letting you know how we did.  The gang is psyched to climb and the route is in good shape.â€
Mike
