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‘Tina’ The Freeloader Summits Aconcagua

January 7, 2014

From: Josh McDowell
Sent: Tuesday, January 07, 2014 1:41 PM
To: Phil Ershler
Subject: Last blog post…the clients liked it.

Tina the super pup.
The Team

Hey Phil,

Attached is a photo of our group, at the Horcones Vally entrance of the Aconcagua Provincial Park. In the photo, you will notice there is a dog with us. The dog, who was appropriately named Tina (short for Argentina), appeared out of nowhere, on the second day of our trek to Plaza Argentina.
On the subsequent days of our trip, she followed us from camp to camp, without prompting by anyone.

On the morning of January 5th, she began walking toward the summit of Aconcagua. Along with about thirty people, she reached the summit of the mountain at 1 P.M. She took a much needed nap on the summit, then descended back to camp 3.

The next morning, she followed us to the base camp, at Plaza de Mulas.

Finally, today she made the 18 mile trek out, to the entrance of the park.

Tomas, a local Argentine guide, has decide to adopt Tina, in hopes that she does not have to climb to the summit of the Americas again, in order to find a loving family.

Josh

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Southern Hemisphere Checks In

January 6, 2013

We heard from all our teams in the field today.  Josh McDowell called to say his team is down at Plaza Mulas, base camp on the Horcones side of Aconcagua, eating pizza.  Plan is to walk out to Penitentes tomorrow and drive back to Mendoza for a late dinner.  Nice job, gang.

Staying with the Aconcagua theme, Josh Tapp reported all his team has arrived and with all their luggage.  Shopping is done, packing is done, permit is in hand and they head to Penitentes about noon on Tuesday.  Again, all good.

Mt. Shinn, Antarctica

Mt. Shinn, Antarctica

Then there’s Greg Vernovage and our Vinson crew.  They made the big pull down from high camp and are now ensconced in Vinson base camp.  It’s foggy right now but they hope to fly to Union Glacier before long.  No problem, everyone summited and without a scratch.

Phil Ershler

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100% Summit On Vinson

January 5, 2014

The peak in the middle is the summit of Vinson

The peak in the middle is the summit of Vinson

Good day at the bottom of the world.  A little cold and a little breezy was the report from Greg and Aaron as they were standing on the summit of Vinson Massif with their entire group.  100% on top.  Always great to hear.

Phil Ershler

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100% Summit On Aconcagua

January 5, 2014

Summit cross

Summit cross

Josh called at 9 am Seattle time Sunday morning.  100% on top of Aconcagua.  Shirt sleeve summit day.  That’s about a 1 in 100 occurrence on Aconcagua.  Great news.

Phil Ershler

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Vinson Team In Position At High Camp

January 4, 2014

Old guide heading for the summit

Old guide heading for the summit

Greg, Aaron and team are at high camp on Vinson Massif.  They made the move today from Camp 1 and are now melting ice like crazy, rehydrating, eating and prepping for a possible summit attempt in the morning.  They’ll wait until the sun has begun to warm up high camp before setting off.  Of course, it’s all weather dependent, especially with the winds.  As of now, it looks like they may have a shot.  And if not tomorrow, there’s the next day or the next.  The trick now is to pick the right shot.  Keeping our fingers crossed for the weather to cooperate.

Phil Ershler

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Aconcagua Team 2 Prepares For Summit Bid

January 4, 2014Aconcagua

Josh, Leandro and team arrived early today at high camp.  Resting, eating and drinking have been the order of the afternoon.  Forecast calls for winds to be their lowest tonight and tomorrow morning.  It’s time to take a shot at the summit.  Team feels good and ready.  Wish them luck.

Phil Ershler

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Aconcagua Team 2 Carries To High Camp

January 3, 2014

C2

C2

IMG Guide Josh McDowell (aka McD) called in today reporting great conditions on the mountain. Clouds in the distance and light winds let the carry go pretty smoothly today. They hung around for a little bit at High Camp to do a little training then made their way back to C2 where they’ll sleep tonight. If all goes as planned they’ll move up to HC tomorrow then, weather permitting, they’ll head for the summit early Sunday morning.

Back here stateside Phil Ershler and Josh Tapp were busy going over the last minute details and packing list for the next Aconcagua team. Tapp leaves tomorrow morning and will meet his team (Team 3) in a few days.

That’s all for now.

Tye Chapman

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Aconcagua Team Ready To Carry To High Camp

January 2, 2014

High on Aconcagua.

High on Aconcagua.

Josh McDowell called in this afternoon.  The crew enjoyed a rest day at C2, but they’re chomping at the bit and anxious to move up.  Plan, as of now, is to make a carry to 3 tomorrow, moving up the next day.  Then, we see what the wind looks like and try to pick the best day for a summit attempt.

Phil Ershler

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New Year Greetings From IMG & Teams Abroad

January 1, 2014

African elephant

Happy New Year to friends and family from IMG teams on 3 continents.

  • Max checked in on his way to the airport.  Kili’s a wrap.  100% on the summit and great animal viewing in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.  Pretty hard not to have fun on a Kilimanjaro trip.
  • Josh and team are at C1.  Clear but still breezy.  No precip in sight for the foreseeable future.  Luke and team are back in Mendoza and making their way home.  Josh Tapp hits the road with the season’s third expedition this weekend.
  • Greg and Aaron are with their team at C1 on the Ice.  Weather’s not perfect and it’s windy up high but C1 is exactly the right place to be “weathering the storm”, so to speak.

Happy New Year!

Phil Ershler

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Out With The Old…uvai

After-lunch nap

After-lunch nap

December 31, 2013

Olduvai Gorge, thousands of wildebeest in Ndutu, and New Year’s in the Serengeti.  They even watched some cheetah and lions devouring a buffalo they’d taken down.  Max and team are starting the new year off in style.

Phil Ershler

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