November 12, 2023
Antisana with an intense cloud cap (Romulo Cardenas)
Today our Antisana team pushed as far as they could but forfeited touching the top due to intense, high winds in a cloud cap. The team is back in camp now and doing well. Proud of our team and trying their best even when the mountains don’t cooperate.
Audrey Simonson
November 12, 2023
Looking up the fixed lines on the way to Camp 2.7 (Stu Johnson)
IMG Climbers on the fixed lines (Stu Johnson)
Our Ama Dablam team had a lovely day of climbing to Camp 2.7! The team had blue skies and mild temps. Now they are resting before continuing their ascent in the coming days.
Audrey Simonson
November 11, 2023
Ama Dablam team at Bas Camp before their ascent to Camp 1 (Phunuru Sherpa)
Prayer flags at Camp 1 (Phunuru Sherpa)
Fresh snow at Camp 1 (Phunuru Sherpa)
Our Ama Dablam climbers woke up this morning to a fresh dusting of snow overnight! After a good climb yesterday to Camp 1, the team is ready for their next push to Camp 2.7. Camp 2.7 is situated between Camp 2 and 3, positioning the team well for the coming days.
Audrey Simonson
November 10th, 2023–
IMG Guide Adam Clark peering at the summit of Ama Dablam from Camp 1 (Harry Hamlin)
IMG Guides Justin Sackett, Stu Johnson, and Phunuru Sherpa checked in and let us know the team is heading to bed to get a good night’s rest before climbing to Camp 1 (18,800′) in the morning. The team enjoyed their day yesterday resting after their previous acclimatization rotation. Climbers are eagerly awaiting their summit bid in a couple of days and look to maintain their strength and resilience to get to the top. Keep up the strong efforts team!
November 10th, 2023–
Peaceful morning in the courtyard at the famous Papallacta hot springs and hotel (Romulo Cardenas)
IMG Ecuador team enjoyed a well-desired and relaxing night at the famous Papallacta hot springs and hotel after a successful summit of Cayambe (18,997′). The team is using their beautiful and bright recovery day to rest in the hot springs and visit haciendas near Sangolqui. Climbers look forward to spending tonight at Hacienda Carriona before traveling to Antisana via 4WD trucks in the next couple of days. All is well in Ecuador!
Luscious greenery on a relaxing day in between climbs (Romulo Cardenas)
November 9th, 2023–
Ama Dablam peeping through the clouds on the trek in the Khumbu Valley (Harry Hamlin)
The IMG Ama Dablam team made it back to basecamp after a successful acclimatization rotation yesterday. The team spent their rest day today relaxing and refueling by stretching, sharing laughs, and enjoying a clear day at Basecamp. Team members will look to use the next couple of days to finalize their training and preparation as they plan to climb later this week.
Alpenglow shining on the summit of Ama Dablam from near Camp 1 (Harry Hamlin)
November 9th, 2023–
IMG Ecuador team members at a rest break during their ascent of Cayambe (18,990′) on a stunning blue-bird day (Romulo Cardenas)
Congrats to our strong and persistent IMG Ecuador climbers on their successful ascent of Cayambe (18,990′)! Following an informative and restful day of training on Wednesday learning skills including knots and crevasse rescue, the team went to bed early to get up at 10pm to begin their ascent. In an exceptional 8 hours, the team returned back to the Oleas-Ruales-Berg Hut after standing on top of this magnificent peak. The team is now drying out gear and enjoying a well-deserved night at the famed Papallacta hot springs and hotel.
Stunning and clear views of the summit of Cayambe (18,990′) amongst rocks and plants in the alpine (Romulo Cardenas)
IMG Ecuador team member enjoying a break with clear views of their destination, the top of Cayambe (Romulo Cardenas)
November 7th, 2023–
IMG Ecuador team ascending towards the top of Imabura (Romulo Cardenas)
The IMG Ecuador team is feeling strong after another acclimatization hike to the top of Imbabura (15,109′) yesterday. Climbers enjoyed a peaceful climb amongst blooming plants and good conditions. The team spent the evening at Cabañas Cayambe, preparing and packing for their upcoming attempt on Cayambe, and arose this morning to drive to Oleas-Ruales-Berg Hut (15,092′).
Blossoming white flower on the Imbabura trail (Romulo Cardenas)
An abundance of greenery and unique plants on IMG Ecuador acclimatization hike (Romulo Cardenas)
Bright yellow flower native to the region on the trip to Imbabura (Romulo Cardenas)
November 7th, 2023–
Ama Dablam team with a final blessing before departing for their first rotation towards Camp 1 (Phunuru Sherpa)
IMG Ama Dablam team checked in and reported the team left at 7:30am this morning feeling healthy and acclimatized to begin their first rotation on Ama Dablam. The team will ascend to Camp 1 standing at a striking 18,800ft where they will rest tonight before climbing to Camp 2 (20,000′) tomorrow and descending to spend another night at Camp 1. This 3 day rotation helps climbers’ bodies prepare for the summit push ahead when the climbers will ascend to nearly 7000m (22,965′).
Ama Dablam team leaving Basecamp on a clear blue day (Phunuru Sherpa)
November 6th, 2023–
IMG Ecuaodr climbers with wide smiles on their descent of Fuya Fuya amidst clouds (Romulo Cardenas)
IMG Ecuador team enjoyed a quiet and restful night at the historic Hacienda Pinsaqui last night and woke early this morning excited to head to Fuya Fuya for their first acclimatization hike. The team successfully reached the top standing at 13,986′ amidst cloudy conditions. Climbers moved quickly through their descent before arriving back to the van to head towards a local knitting workshop in Otavalo. The team rests tonight in San Clemente before going on another acclimatization hike on Imbabura (15,109′) tomorrow.
IMG Climbers near the summit of Fuya Fuya roped up and ready to climb (Romelo Cardenas)
