June 26, 2014

Shira Camp with the view west across the plateau towards the Cathedral Peaks (Eric Simonson)

IMG guide Craig John reports that the team had a good hike today up to the 12,500 foot Shira plateau.  They left the trees shortly above Machame Camp and worked their way up a rocky spur ridge, before finally emerging on the giant lava plateau that defines the west side of the mountain.  Again, it was cloudy and comfortable hiking conditions during the day, and now clearing up in the evening, with some great views of the mountain. Tomorrow, the team heads for Barranco Camp at 13,000 feet and Craig thinks they will then be above a persistent low altitude deck of clouds which has lingered in the area for the last several days.  So far so good!

Eric Simonson

June 15, 2014

Denise and Dylan at the Mweka gate

Time to say good-bye to Denise and Dylan.  Pretty cool when a mother/son team comes with us to Kilimanjaro and raises a bunch of money for a good cause at the same time.  They both pretty much ‘cruised’ the entire trip.  Who knows?  Maybe they have other climbing adventures in store down the road.  IMG Guide, Craig John, is hanging out in Moshi, awaiting the arrival of our next team.  Denise and Dylan are on their way home to Singapore today.  Talk about a culture shock.  I’m sure they’ll easily take it all in stride.  Dylan will have more than a few stories to tell his classmates when school resumes.

Again, congrats to them both.  And everyone’s thanks to Craig for leading a seamless trip.

Phil Ershler

June 14, 2014

Only great news from Africa.  Denise and Dylan stood on top of Kilimanjaro yesterday with IMG Senior Guide, Craig John.  Craig reported the two did a super job.  And, they were fast.  Weather didn’t clear until high on the mountain but no matter.  They pulled it off in style.  The decent went off without incident and the pair spent last night at the Mweka Camp, elevation 10,000 ft).  Got up the next morning and headed for the trail head.  The mountain is done.  Dylan’s project to support his charitable efforts for children in Cambodia was a great success.  All is about as good as it’s going to get.  Our congratulations to Denise and Dylan.

Denise and Dylan on top!!

Phil Ershler

June 12, 2014

Route to the summit is on the right hand side.

Spoke with IMG Senior Guide, Craig John, this morning.  All news continues to be good.  Short, relatively easy day to high camp.  They’re already eaten, packed and are climbing into bed early, anticipating a midnight start for the summit.  Team’s feeling good and weather is cooperating.  By the time Craig next calls in, the team will hopefully have summited and be well on their way to their final camp at Mweka.  Everything is positive and spirits are high.  We expect to be posting some good news tomorrow.

Phil Ershler

June 11, 2014

Baranco Camp from the Baranco Wall. (Photo by Ken MacLaurin)

“Another really good day” was the word from Africa today.  Good weather made for a pleasant walk after a fun climb of the Baranco Wall.  The crew arrived early at Karanga Camp (13,500’) and had a big, hot lunch there.  Barafu (high camp) is tomorrow’s goal.  Taking 7 days for the climb allows us to spend a night at Karanga which makes for a shorter, easier day to high camp, with a much earlier arrival time.  And, just one more day/night of acclimatization.   All that helps make the summit day easier for the crew.  Easier but never easy.

All’s good in Tanzania.

Phil Ershler

June 10, 2014

Baranco Camp (Eric Simonson)

IMG Senior Guide, Craig John, was able to call in again today via sat phone.  This time from Baranco Camp.  Weather was good today and is expected good tomorrow, too.  Craig reported that Denise and Dylan had a good day.  From 12,500 ft at Shira Camp, up to about 14,500 ft before heading back down to Baranco.  ‘Climb high, sleep low’ is an old climbing adage.  Why? Because it works.  Baranco is at about 13,000 ft.  Views are spectacular.  Probably my favorite camp on the mountain.

Tomorrow will be excited with a 2 plus hour climb over the Baranco Wall and then traversing into Karanga Camp.  So far, all is well.

Phil Ershler

June 9, 2014

Yesterday at Machame Camp

The photo shows Denise and Dylan yesterday afternoon at Machame Camp.  Good job, team.  I spoke with IMG Senior Guide, Craig John, earlier today.  He was reporting in from Camp 2 – Shira Camp.  Located at about 12,500 ft., if skies clear this evening they will have a great full-on view of the mountain.  Going from Machame to Shira is a fairly short day so the crew arrived early and had a hot lunch at Shira.  All’s going well.

Long day tomorrow but some spectacular views.  But then again, every day has spectacular views.

Phil Ershler