January 10, 2025
Great news – the Vinson team successfully flew back on the 757 from Union Glacier. After showers and a nice dinner that bed is going to feel great. Congrats to Kim, Mike, Eyal and Max for a job well done!
The team raises a glass to the successful expedition (Max Bond)
January 10, 2025
IMG team leader Stu Johnson reports 100% on top of Aconcagua today! The team is now back at High Camp and everyone is doing well.
IMG team at the summit of Aconcagua (Stu Johnson)
January 9, 2025
The team did a great job getting up early, packing up their gear and Camp 2, descending the fixed ropes to Camp 1 and then the Branscomb Glacier back to Vinson Base Camp. Even better, their timing was perfect to catch the Twin Otter flight back to Union Glacier Camp from where they were able to send some photos.
Max says the summit day was excellent weather and they enjoyed great views and fun climbing. Well done team! Tomorrow they are scheduled to catch the 757 back to Punta Arenas if everything works out.
Fingers crossed!
January 9th, 2025
Location of Colera high camp
Stu Johnson reports that the team had a nice climb up to Camp Colera (19,587 ft), the high camp below the summit. This involved an ascending traverse from the East side of the mountain to near the confluence with the route coming up from Plaza de Mulas to the West (the team will traverse the mountain and descend this way). The weather today was cloudy and warm, with no wind and a few snow flakes. Everyone is doing well and the have put themselves in the right position, so hopefully they will get a shot at the summit tomorrow!
January 8th, 2025
With a strong team and good weather, Max Bond called at 9:00 PM Antarctica time to report that the team had reached the summit! They are currently descending to camp 2. We are looking forward to seeing summit photos tomorrow once they are back to basecamp. All is well in Antarctica!
January 8, 2025
IMG leader Stu Johnson reports that the team had a good rest day today at Camp 2, and that everyone is doing well. This morning Stu and the team hiked up towards the Polish Glacier to stretch their legs, then then spent the rest of the day eating, drinking, and relaxing.
The team enjoys a high stakes game of Uno at Camp 2 (Stu Johnson)
A Caracara falcon above Camp 2 (Stu Johnson)
Meanwhile, guide Tincho Lucero hiked up to Camp 3 (Cholera Camp) at about 19,587 ft. to get things set up for the team’s planned move up there. If all goes according to plan the team will move to Camp 3 tomorrow and then be in position to make a summit attempt the next day.
January 7th, 2025
Max Bond checked in to report that the team moved up to Camp 2 today. They departed Camp 1 in the “afternoon” (Antarctica time) after the sun finally came around Vinson and hit them, they headed for the fixed ropes that ascend the steeper slopes leading to Camp 2 at about 12,400 ft. Now they are in position to climb, so it’s just a question of picking the best day!
January 7th, 2025
Stu Johnson checked in from Aconcagua to report that the team made a successful move up to Camp 2 (17,953 ft) where they are tucked in and doing well. Their plan is to take a well-deserved acclimatization and rest day tomorrow, before they do the final carry up to the high camp. If they want to do a short hike, maybe they can go visit a nearby sulfur deposit, indicative of Aconcagua’s volcanic history.
January 6th, 2025
We talked to both Stu Johnson on Aconcagua and Max Bond on Vinson who have confirmed that their respective teams successfully moved up yesterday!
On Aconcagua the climbers moved up to Camp 1 (16,372 ft) and are doing well. Up next for the team will be a carry up to Camp 2 (about 17,953 ft), then descending back to Camp 1 for a second night there.
On Mt Vinson the team moved to Camp 1 (about 9100 ft) and got all dug in and comfy. Next up for them is an active rest day as they evaluate the weather and prepare for the big move up to Camp 2.
All’s well down south!
January 4th, 2025
Max Bond reports, “The cache was found and uncovered, the tents are set up, and the cook tent is on its way. All is good at Vinson Basecamp!”
