August 8, 2013
Loading the van to head to our training area.
Another check-in from Phil early this morning. Everything is on track!
“Another day of training and acclimatization is in the books. Weather continues to hold. Up to the high hut in the morning. Everyone will be moving up.”
Phil Ershler
August 7, 2013
Going for a hike in Russia.
First day in the valley start with a 3000′ hike up to the observatory. Great way to get a little acclimatization in. Weather was pretty much perfect. Training tomorrow on the glacier. It’ll be great to put on the spikes.
Phil Ershler
August 7, 2013
From: Greg Vernovage
Sent: Tuesday, August 06, 2013 6:55 PM
To: Eric Simonson; Tye Chapman
Subject: Bolivia Update
Eric,
The team had quite an adventurous day here in Bolivia joining in the celebration of Bolivia’s birthday. We weaved through traffic and a number of parades on our way to Copacabana and Lake Titicaca. Â When we arrived in Copacabana, the festivities had already begun. You see, here in Copacabana, during this time of year people gather to have their new or purchased vehicles blessed. The cars get decorated and Shaman move up and down the shore blessing the new vehicles with beer and Coca-Cola. The team found this very interesting.
After we visited the cathedral and took in some sites in town, we went for a hike up through an ancient Incan observatory. On top, we were rewarded with beautiful views of the city and lake. We had the top of this overlook all to ourselves.
The team is doing well, drinking water, taking it slow and enjoying the company. Up next, a boat ride to acclimatize and lunch on Sun Island.
Greg Vernovage
International Mountain Guides
August 5, 2013
From the lookout in La Paz with Illimani in the background.
August 5, 2013
Phil's team kicking back & enjoying dinner (photo: Phil Ershler)
Word just in from Phil…
“All here. All healthy. Full day of sightseeing. Knocking back a steak dinner right now. Early flight to the Caucasus in the morning.
Life is good.” Â – Phil Ershler
August 1, 2013
IMG lead guide Peter Anderson called in at mid-day today from the top of the third pass. It is another beautiful day and all are doing well. They have great views of Salkantay Mountain and the surrounding peaks.
They have about three hours left to reach their camp this afternoon, and will head to bed early today. Tomorrow they get an early start so they can be at the Sun Gate at first light to witness the sunrise over Machu Picchu.
Peter says they will check in tomorrow after their tour of Machu Picchu and after they check into their hotel in Aguas Calientes.
All is well with the team and they are having a great time!
George Dunn
August 1, 2013
Eagles Nest (photo: Luke Reilly)
Fuhrer’s Finger never ceases to amaze me…
Sometimes everything just seems to line up; the weather, the route (which initially seemed positively impassable) and good company. Our ascent of Mt. Rainier via the Fuhrer’s Finger was a gem last week. The crew packed a lot in over four days including threading the needle through the Finger, bedding down for a night at the Eagle’s Nest (see photo), camping on the summit and exploring the steam caves in the crater. We couldn’t really ask for more.
Our team went into the climb knowing there was a possible dead end at the top of the Finger to access the upper mountain. After “poking around†at different options to gain the upper mountain, Mt. Rainier smiled on us again, showing passage up and around the glooming serac out onto the Wapowety cleaver. Once we gained the cleaver it was pretty much smooth sailing to the top. After a chilly night on top, we headed downhill for a well deserved beer and shower.  Thanks Josh, Mark and Jeff for the great climb.
Luke Reilly
July 30, 2013
IMG guide Peter Anderson called in from the Machu Picchu trek this evening.
Today was their first day on the trek itself and the team did a super job. They hiked slow and steady today, and made camp at 5pm their time at an altitude of 10,000 feet. The day was beautiful and warm.
Tomorrow they’ll get an early start (up at 5am) to hike up and over Abra de Huarmihuanusca pass. Another great day ahead of them!
George Dunn
July 29, 2013
Mt. Rainier. (Photo by Tye Chapman)
I had a chance to catch up with Greg Vernovage after his last Rainier climb.  Yes, Greg managed to get a Mount Rainier climb in between his Denali and Bolivia climbs.  It was a busy weekend on the mountain so I thought I’d pick his brain a little.
Tye: Sounded pretty busy up high on your climb over the weekend – how busy was it?
Greg:  There were definitely a lot more people on the mountain than I typically see, but it’s not like we didn’t see it coming – we’re right in the thick of the season and a July weekend with nice weather is always a popular time on the hill.
Tye: Â You guys managed to get through that tough section and make it to the top and back down in a reasonable time.
Greg: Â Yeah, about 5 hours from the flats to the summit, respectable on a busy day.
Tye: Â How did you get by everyone?
Greg: Â When I got out of the tent, there were already people on the Cleaver, but the guides and I had chatted the night before about the crowds and I think we had a good plan going into the day.
Tye: Â What was the plan?
Greg: Â Beautiful, busy July weekend on Mount Rainier means we gotta think about the route and the team you’re climbing with. Â With those variables in mind we figured out what we thought was a good departure time and what we needed to do to have success.
Tye:  That tough section has been a bit of a bottleneck this season – how did it go for you guys?
Greg:  It is a fun section on the route this year, but can jam things up. We just stuck with our plan and worked as efficiently as we could. It’s a good section for guiding, but I can see how it could get a little backed up on a busy weekend.
Tye: Â Why are some groups slower than other groups in that section?
Greg: Â Million dollar question. Â There are a few obstacles to work through and there are a number of ways to get through them, but knowing that the ladder and fixed line were up there really helped with formulating our plan, credit the good communication amongst all the guides on the mountain and the three guide services as a whole. From there, CJ, Dallas and Heidi and I had a couple of good chats about ways to work efficiently though that section and at the end of the day it all worked out.
Tye: Â I bet the Cleaver was pretty packed for the bulk of the day then eh?
Greg: Â Oh yeah, we were around people all morning.
Tye: Â How did you you handle the other teams?
Greg:  The Cleaver is a pretty good time to assess the teams who will be around you during the climb.  I watch how teams handle the rocks that are loose and the spacing of their rope and how efficient they are while traveling.  I talk to most of the groups and find out how they are moving and if they are aware of the route. The bottomline is that it’s in everybody’s best interest to communicate and work together.
Tye: Good climb all in all?
Greg: Â Hell yeah! Â We got the summit and had a great day!
July 24, 2013
Phil,
The GUM and St. Basil's in Red Square. (Viki Tracey)
Good day of ice climbing and hiking. Last evening in Terskol and ff to Moscow in the morning. Looking forward to seeing Moscow again. Home this weekend. All good here.
Mike Hamill
