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Aconcagua & Ecuador Updates From The Field

January 21, 2014

Luke’s crew on the summit of Cayambe

Luke’s crew on the summit of Cayambe

Lots of movement south of the border.  In Ecuador, Luke and Romulo are heading to Chimborazo with 4 team members.  All the pieces need to fall into place but the guys are determined to give it a shot.  Members on the regular trip are flying home today after having summited Cotopaxi and Cayambe.  Congratulations to all.

On Aconcagua, heck – we’ve got teams everywhere.  Mike Hamill is making a carry up from Plaza Mulas today.  Mulas is base camp on the Horcones Valley side of the mountain.  All is good.  Josh Tapp, Martin Lucero and team are back in Mendoza.  Showers, beds, wine and steak are the order of the day.  They did a heck of a job up high but the mountain simply said no.  Peter Anderson, Peter Adams and Leandro Villegas are making a carry to C2.  They continue to acclimate, establish progressively high camps and simply get themselves into position to take advantage of whatever opportunities the mountain provides.  The chess game continues.

Bottom line – all’s good.

Phil Ershler

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Aconcagua & Ecuador Updates

January 19, 2014

Josh called at 6 am, Seattle time, to let me know they couldn’t get up Aconcagua this morning.  They encountered way too much snow up high.  Winter conditions and a winter snow pack.  Discretion is the better part of valor and it just wasn’t safe enough to continue.  The team’s back at high camp and everyone’s safe.  Disappointed, for sure, but they know they gave it their best shot.  At the end of the day, that’s the best you can do.

Cayambe in better weather

Cayambe in better weather

Better conditions this morning on Cayambe in Ecuador for Luke and team.  Better, but not much better.  Luke said the gang had to work hard for this summit.  They summited with a quarter inch of rime ice on all their clothes.  Very nice job.  Packing up now and making their way to the hot springs in Papallacta.  Long day, for sure, but ending it soaking in the hot springs with a bottle of beer is not a terrible thing.

Phil Ershler

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Go Or No Go

January 18, 2014

Low vis.

Low vis.

 

Josh Tapp and Martin Lucero called in Saturday morning, Seattle time. Their team has made the push up to high camp on Aconcagua. It’s been snowing and was snowing this morning when they moved up. Winds aren’t high, it’s actually warm (relatively) at high camp but visibility is minimal. They’re where they need to be given the weather and the forecast. Question for them now is whether to take a shot tonight or Sunday night. This is the tough part. For now, they hydrate, eat, rest and prepare. Lots of factors to weigh early tomorrow. We’ll let you know when we hear.

Phil Ershler

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Three Teams Moving On Aconcagua Now

January 17, 2014

Mike and his crew having a late dinner.

Mike and his crew having a late dinner.

All’s good on Aconcagua.  Rainy down low with fresh snow up higher.  Josh Tapp and team are settled in at C2.  Carry to high camp possible today.  Peter Anderson and team finished their second day on the trail and should arrive at Plaza Argentina, base camp this afternoon.  Last, but not least, Mike Hamill and team began their walk up the Horcones Valley this morning.  Thought we’d include a photo of their last night’s dinner in Mendoza.  Everyone loves Mendoza.

Phil Ershler

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Team 3 At C2 And Team 4 On Day 1

January 15, 2014

Pampas Lenas

Pampas Lenas

Received sat phone calls from each of the IMG Aconcagua teams currently on the mountain.  Josh Tapp called in after his team made their carry up to C2.  Group’s doing well.  Plan is to move to C2 tomorrow.

Peter Anderson called in from Pampas Lenas, having completed their first day on the approach.  Hot was the word for the day.  They should be getting a bit of relief from the heat the next couple of days.  They’re getting settle in for their first night on the trail.

Phil Ershler

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Ecuador Team Summits

January 15, 2014

Hacienda San Augustin

Hacienda San Augustin

Luke, Romulo and crew are heading for the barn.  In this case, the ‘barn’ is the Hacienda San Augustin, a spectacular spot below Cotopaxi.  The team summited this morning in good weather and good conditions.  Everyone got back to the hut safely, packed up and headed for the hacienda.  At 19,300 ft. plus, Cotopaxi is not easy.  It keeps coming at you.  Never terribly difficult but never easy, either.  Two nights and a full rest day tomorrow at the hacienda.  I’d say a well-deserved rest.

Phil Ershler

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Busy Days In South America

January 14, 2014

Dinner in Mendoza

Dinner in Mendoza

Busy again for IMG in South America.  Here’s the latest – Mike Hamill has arrived in Mendoza.  He’ll be doing a climb via the Horcones Valley on Aconcagua with 2 climbers on a custom trip.  He crossed paths with Peter Anderson and his group as they were leaving Mendoza, on their way to Penitentes, for a final day of prep and packing.  Josh Tapp and crew moved to C1 on Aconcagua today at 16,200’  They have a carry to C2 planned for tomorrow.

Luke Reilly and team called in from the refugio on Cotopaxi.  They’re heading for bed early with a plan to take a shot at the summit later tonight.  Wish them luck.

Phil Ershler

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Weekend Update From South America

January 13, 2014

With so many groups on the move during the last couple of days, let’s get everyone up to date regarding movements.

Greg, Aaron and their Vinson crew are done and home.  Wasn’t easy to get everyone rebooked with flights home but Pirjo and CTT Destinations did a super job.  There is still great value derived from working with an experienced travel agent on complicated international flights and we saw it this weekend.  Glad to have everyone home and everyone successful and everyone with 10 fingers and toes.  Nice!

Luke, Romulo and the Ecuador team did some acclimatizing and taking in some of the sights.  Crossed the equator a couple of times, too.  At the base of Cotopaxi now, getting in some more acclimatizing and training prior to taking a shot at their first, big objective.

Luke and team on Pasochoa

Luke and team on Pasochoa

News from Aconcagua:  Josh McD and team are now back in the States after their very successful summit.  Well done.  I’ll be debriefing with Josh today.  Josh Tapp and team has decided to take a rest day at Plaza Argentina after a big carry to C1 yesterday.  If in doubt, a rest day is always in order.  Just got off the phone with Peter Anderson.  He’s working away with Peter Adams and Leandro Villegas, getting their final packing done.  Team members continue to arrive.  Weather on the East Coast hasn’t made it easy but hopeful that we’ll see everyone today.  Gear checks, registration and permits need to get completed prior to heading up to the mountain.  Lastly, Mike Hamill and his custom group are winging their way south today.  Who knows – Mike and Peter could potentially end up seeing each other on the summit, coming up from two entirely different routes.

Phil Ershler

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South America Is The Place To Be

January 10, 2014

Heading for the barn.

Heading for the barn.

Lots of movement regarding IMG teams and the Southern Hemisphere.  Greg, Aaron and team returned from their 100% successful Vinson expedition.  The IL 76 actually came in last night and was able to return the crew to Punta Arenas, Chile early this morning.  They need some sleep.  We’re all working on getting flights changed so the gang can get home.  Good weather on the east coast would sure help.  Congratulations, team.  And, good luck on Everest this spring, Ellen, Paul & Jim.

All calm on the Aconcagua front.  Josh Tapp and crew are pulling into base camp, Plaza Argentina, even as we speak.  Hasn’t been much precip on Aconcagua this season and that trend continues.  Breezy but that’s not hard to deal with down low.  Peter Anderson and Peter Adams, working with Leandro Villegas, are about ready for the season’s 4th departure.  Peter and Peter fly tomorrow morning to Mendoza after last minute prep today.  And, Mike Hamill will be heading down this weekend with a strong, custom crew going up the Horcones Valley side.  Josh McDowell and his 100% successful crew return to the States today after their great summit of Aconcagua.

Last, but not least, heard from Luke Reilly and his Ecuador team late last night.  All have arrived in Quito and are getting in some quick sightseeing in Old Town this morning prior to heading for Otavalo and the famous Saturday market there.

Great to see so many folks getting out and enjoying a new adventure in 2014.

Phil Ershler

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Aconcagua Team 3 Gets First Look

January 9, 2014

The first good shot of the mountain.

The first good shot of the mountain.

Josh Tapp and team just finished their second approach day on Aconcagua.  Fun part about this walk is that the team gets their first full on view of Aconcagua as they approach camp.  It’s a pretty exciting time, to look across the Vacas River and then up to see most of the Polish Glacier and the summit.  Casa Piedre is typically a little windy and it is tonight.  Longer pull tomorrow into base camp at Plaza Argentina.  As always, so far, so good.

Phil Ershler

 

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