January 4, 2014
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
January 3, 2014
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
January 2, 2014
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
January 1, 2014
Happy New Year to friends and family from IMG teams on 3 continents.
Happy New Year!
Phil Ershler
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
December 29, 2013
Rhino in Ngorongoro Crater (Max Bunce)
From: Max Bunce
Sent: Sunday, December 29,2013 11:36 AM
To: Eric Simonson; Phil Ershler
Subject: Sopa Lodge
Hi all,
We are in the Sopa Lodge in Ngorongoro, quite a place! Had a wonderful dinner and saw lots of great animals today including a rhino! Everyone is having a blast!
Max
December 29, 2013
Cockpit of an IL76
IMG guides Greg Vernovage, Aaron Mainer and their team are on a roll. They took off last night aboard an IL76 from Punta Arenas, Chile, heading south. A short night was spent at Union Glacier, approximately 80 degree S. latitude. This morning they were on another flight aboard a Twin Otter heading for Vinson base camp. Their camp is now built and the team is preparing for a carry tomorrow to C1 at around 10,000 ft on Vinson. Like most expedition climbs, a carry and then a move to a higher camp is sort of standard procedure. Greg reported clear skies and almost no wind. Remember, it’s light 24/7 that far south at this time of year. No headlamps required on a Vinson climb.
Phil Ershler
December 29, 2013
Aconcagua
No summit yesterday. A medical emergency required Luke’s team to return to high camp from the Canaleta. His team is now down at Plaza de Mulas and begins their hike out tomorrow.
Josh’s team had an enjoyable rest day at Plaza Argentina yesterday and are making their first carry to C1 today. Winds definitely picked up last evening but are forecasted to relent somewhat later today.  Still no precip in sight.
Third team of the season will be heading to Mendoza at the end of next week with Josh Tapp at the helm. The Aconcagua season is definitely in full swing.
Phil Ershler
December 28, 2013
Sunset on Kilimanjaro and Mawenzi (Eric Simonson)
IMG guide Max Bunce reports that the team’s decent to Moshi went smoothly, and that everyone is now ensconced back at the hotel. It’s time for some showers and beers, and a barbeque dinner tonight. Tomorrow morning the team will head into Arusha, then continue on to their lodge at Ngorongoro Crater. From there the team will continue the next day to the Ndutu area of the eastern Serengeti, and then on to Seronera (central Serengeti) the following day for their New Years celebration!
Eric Simonson
December 28, 2013
From: Greg Vernovage
Sent: Saturday, December 28, 2013 8:30 AM
To: Phil Ershler
Subject: The Gang is all Here!
Phil,
The gang is all here. Last pieces of luggage are in and gear checks complete.
Team Vinson
This team is dialed! Just finished the Flight briefing and bags will get weighed and taken this afternoon. We have made it through the first challenges of Vinson, arriving in Punta Arenas with our luggage.
The weather here is perfect, no wind and a few clouds in the sky. We are going to take a late lunch and stand by this evening. Late lunch includes the standard trip to Lomito’s for a burger! Perhaps one of the best burgers on the world tour.
They are quite optimistic that we will fly tonight….so the hurry up AND wait begins at 6:30 pm.
That is the latest from Punta Arenas.
Greg Vernovage
