September 24th , 2021
Summit Ridge Mt Vinson (Porter McMichael)
Join International Mountain Guides and senior guide Porter McMichael in Antarctica to climb the southern-most of the 7 Summits. Fly to Antarctica via Punta Arenas, Chile and climb Mt Vinson Massif 16,050′ only 660 miles from the South Pole. IMG started operating on Mt. Vinson in 1988 and hasn’t missed reaching the summit since. Contact us today office@mountainguides.com and let the adventure begin!
September 24th, 2024
Summit of Manaslu Sept 24, 2024 (Phunuru)
The IMG Manaslu team departed Camp 4 with all seven team members, and reached the top at dawn. Congrats to Phunuru, Annemie, Dean, JC, Ang Karma, Chhiring Tendi and Mingma Sonam! They have now descended to Camp 2. The weather was very good for the summit day, but now it is changing so their timing was excellent. On the descent Phunuru was able to send out a summit photo, and we’ll look forward to seeing some more shots and getting all the details when they get down to Base Camp. Well done team!!
September 23, 2024
Max Bond called overnight to report that the team had reached Uhuru Peak, the true summit of Kilimanjaro and the highest point in Africa. They had a sweet climb with perfect weather. The team has now descended to Barafu Camp for a rest, some food, and to repack their porter duffels before continuing their descent to Mweka Camp at 10,000 feet. It’s been a long day, but the team did an excellent job and will sleep well tonight in the thicker air. Well done, team!
September 22, 2024
On the way to Barafu (Max Bond)
Barafu Camp is located on the ridge ahead at 15000 ft (Max Bond)
Max checked in from Barafu Camp to say that the team are doing well. The benefit of doing the 7-day ascent of Kili is that today (moving to high camp) is a short one (3.5 hours), so the team had all afternoon to relax and get ready to the climb tonight. They had an early dinner and went to bed, planning to get up at about 11pm for a midnight departure. If things go well, they should be near the summit at dawn tomorrow!
September 22, 2o24
Camp 1 on Manaslu (Phunuru Sherpa)
Camp 2 (Phunuru)
Camp 3 (Phunuru)
Manaslu climbers departing Base Camp (Phunuru)
Phunuru checked in from Camp 3 to say that the team are moving up and doing well. They departed yesterday from Base Camp and went to Camp 1, then today they moved up to Camp 3. They will wake up early tomorrow and check the weather, hoping it will be possible to move to Camp 4. Fingers crossed for the weather to cooperate!
September 21, 2024
Team at the viewpoint at top of Barranco Wall (Max Bond)
Traversing below the South Face of Kilimanjaro (Max Bond)
Traversing to Karanga Camp (Max Bond)
At Karanga Camp (Max Bond)
Max reports the team had another great day of trekking. This is one of our favorite days, as the route climbs the steep trail of the Barranco Wall to a fabulous viewpoint, then traverses east below the Southern Glaciers, or whats left of them, reach Karanga. This camp is also about 13,000 feet, so it’s a perfect place for acclimatizing. Karanga is also the last water, so the we’ll have porters carrying water tomorrow up to Barafu Camp (15000ft). The team will make it up there in time for lunch, which will give them all afternoon to rest and prepare for the summit. All’s well on Kilimanjaro!
September 20, 2024
Max Bond reports the team had another nice day of trekking, and everyone is doing well. They started at 12,500 ft at Shira Camp, ascended to about 15,000 ft at Lava Tower for lunch, then descended to Barranco Camp at 13,000 ft. This is a perfect acclimatization profile: “climb high, sleep low”! From Barranco Camp the team has great views of the steep south side of Kili, including the Breach Wall and Icicle.
September 20, 2024
Phunuru reports that since the fixing team reached the Manaslu summit, there have been a number of ascents over the last couple days. Meanwhile our climbers enjoyed three days of rest and preparation at Base Camp after their acclimatization rotation to Camp 3. This included getting their oxygen gear all set, and doing as much eating and sleeping as possible to get their gas tanks topped up for the big event! Their plan is to depart in the morning for Camp 1, then move to Camp 3, then to 4 and then hopefully to the top on the 24th. We’ll keep you posted on how they are doing over the next several days!
September 19, 2024
Max Bond reports the team had another beautiful day for their climb from Machame Camp up to the Shira Plateau (about 12,500ft). This expansive flat area extends to the west of Kilimanjaro and is actually the remnant of one of the ancient volcanos (as is the peak of Mawenzi to the east of Kili) that comprise the Kilimanjaro massif. Departing the forest zone immediately above Machame Camp the team ascended into a forest of giant heather bushes. Higher up they hit the first of the giant groundsel and lobelia plants that are only found at high altitudes near the equator. Now the entire team (climbers, guides, porters, cooks, camp staff, etc) are all together at the Shira Camp.
September 18th, 2024
Manaslu from near Base Camp (Phunuru)
Good news, from Manaslu! Phunuru reports that the IMG climbers have descended safely to Base Camp after their acclimatization rotation. Yesterday the team tagged Camp 3, before dropping down. Well done, team! Today six members of the sherpa fixing team reached the summit of Manaslu, so now the door is open for summit bids. Our climbers will take a few well-deserved days of rest, before heading back up.
