Training Day At Cho Oyu

September 12, 2013

: IMG Cho Oyu team doing fixed line training in ABC (Mike Hamill)

: Friday the 13th on the Tibetan calendar (Ang Jangbu)

Mike Hamill reports:Â “Today the team rigged up for climbing on the upper mountain and reviewed techniques for fixed lines and the ice cliff.Â Then we took an acclimatization hike above base camp after lunch in snowy weather. There was 5 inches of new snow last night with blustery conditions and it’s snowing again this afternoon. The team is doing well and enjoying being settled in at ABC, our base for the next few weeks.Â The plan is to hold the Puja tomorrow morningÂ (an auspicious day on the Tibetan calendar) followed by an another afternoon acclimatization hike.”

Eric Simonson

The Machame Workout

September 11, 2013

Day 1 on the climb is a good work out.Â Machame trailhead is at 6000â€™ and Machame Camp is at 10000â€™.Â Chris called in and reported that the team did a good job and that everyone made it to camp in good order.Â A few light sprinkles and then a 10 minute rain shower before it all quit.Â Tomorrowâ€™s a little easier, with the team camping at 12,500â€™.Â The Chagga crew had all the tents set up and were feverishly working on hot drinks and dinner, which always begins with hot soup.Â I doubt anyone will have trouble sleeping tonight.Â They may be at 10000â€™ but Iâ€™m betting everyone will be tired and ready for bed.Â Thatâ€™s the best kind of â€˜tiredâ€™ there is.

Phil Ershler

In the forest. (Adam Angel)

Climb In Smith Rocks Oregon

September 11, 2013

: Mimi crushing it. (Austin Shannon)

: Smith Rocks. (Austin Shannon)

We are entering the end of summer season when rock climbing is at its best in Smith Rocks just outside of Bend, OR. We have a private team over there currently led by Austin Shannon. The conditions are perfect and Austin reports a good time is being had by all.

George Dunn

Beaut Of A Day On Cho Oyu

September 11, 2013

: Jump! (Mike Hamill)

: base camp. (Mark Bellamy)

: Cho Oyu. (Mark Bellamy)

IMG Guide Mike Hamill checked in from ABC. Â This team is doing great! Â Everyone made it into ABC in good time and had a good night of sleep.

Mike said: “The weather is perfect and the view of Cho Oyu and the surrounding peaks couldn’t be more impressive. The team is just enjoying getting settled in, soaking up the sun, and taking in the view. Today is a rest day,Â tomorrowÂ we will do a short hike above ABC, and the following day will be the Puja.”

I think the Jumping photo pretty much sums up their team spirit.Â I would say they should break out the net and ball but I think Mike’s plan is better. Â This team has some work to do but for now, they are enjoying some great weather on Cho Oyu!

Greg Vernovage

Rainier Team Summits Today

Route to the top of Gibraltar Rock (9.9.13)

September 10, 2013

Justin Merle called in from the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning reporting good conditions on a new route he and his team put in yesterday.

The route has been tricky this year especially as of late, but this recent good weather has given us an opportunity to get some scouting done and establish this new route. The current route goes to the top of the Disappointment Cleaver as â€˜normalâ€™ then heads out to top of Gibraltar Rock. There are no â€˜ladder crossingsâ€™ but there is one vertical ladder to gain the top of a rock bulge.

This is a huge improvement on the route over the past few weeks – special thanks and kudos to IMG Guides Ian Delaney and Dallas Glass for their hard work the past couple days on the route.

Weâ€™ve got another team heading uphill today.

All is well on Mt. Rainier.

Tye Chapman

Cho Oyu Climbers At ABC

September 10, 2013

Cho Oyu. (Ang Jangbu)

IMG guide Mike Hamill checked in this morning from Advanced Base Camp (over 18,500). Â The team had a great hike up to ABC. Â The team is doing well. Â They had great weather and got a few good looks at Cho Oyu. Â It is always a good feeling to pull into ABC. Â The team can get all their gear and move into their tents to stay a while.

A little rest and some good Kaji cooking is always nice! Â The team will have a Puja, rest and prepare for what is next. Â With good weather, they will have great motivation as Cho Oyu is now right in front of them.Â From ABC the team can see all of Cho Oyu as well as the Nangpa La, one of the oldest trade routes in the world. Â This trade route connects Tibet and Nepal and is well over 18,500 feet.

Greg Vernovage

Kili Team Getting Ready

September 10, 2013

: Kilimanjaro Team

: Kilimanjaro

First check in today from IMG Senior Guide, Chris Meder, and his September Kilimanjaro team.Â This is Chrisâ€™ first of two Kili expeditions for the month of September and this one is off to a great start.Â His call was short and sweet â€“ all climbers arrived, as did all their luggage.Â Everyoneâ€™s tired from traveling and in bed.Â Tomorrowâ€™s a packing, relaxing, getting organized day.Â Pretty much exactly what we wanted to hear.

Phil Ershler

Cho Oyu Climbers Ready to Move Up

September 8, 2013

IMG guide Mike Hamill reports that all’s well at Base Camp, and the team is ready to move tomorrow to IC (Intermediate Camp) at about 17,000 ft, then on up to ABC (over 18,500 ft) the following day. No one is having issues with the altitude.

: Base Camp

: Dining Tent

: Intermediate Camp

This morning the team took a short acclimatization hike, then spent the rest of the day getting packed up, playing cards, and watching movies.Â Tonight they celebrated the 50th birthday of Terry, one of the Tibet Trekkers… that will be a birthday party to remember!

Eric Simonson

Cho Oyu Advanced Base Camp Established

September 6, 2013

: Base Camp Hike

: Yaks at ABC. (Ang Jangbu)

IMG leader Mike Hamill reports that the weather was cold, clear, and windy today and that the team is doing well with only a few slight headaches. They had a good acclimatization hike today, climbing over 1000 feet to the west of BC and getting some great views of Cho Oyu and the surrounding area.Â We also had the good news that Chhewang and Mingma Tenzing made it up to ABC at 18,500 feet with 30 yaks (and the local yak herders).Â On this first trip up they moved a good quantity of tents, food, fuel, and gear to start getting ABC established. Â Then, the yaks and yak herders will head back down to Base Camp to make a second carry in the next few days.Â Â In the autumn season the yaks are stronger (since they have been grazing all summer) so they can carry 25 kg on each side, for 50 kg total per yak Â (in the spring season they are weaker from the winter and can only carry 40 kg per yak).

Eric Simonson

Climbers And Trekkers Reach Cho Oyu Base Camp

September 5, 2013

The IMG Cho Oyu climbers and Tibet Trekkers have now reached Base Camp (about 15000 ft) after driving up the Ra Chu Valley from Tingri.Â Everyone is doing well and the team is excited to finally be getting close to their objective.Â Phunuru and the Sherpa team have been busy getting a nice camp established and packing up the yak loads for Advanced Base Camp.Â They have 30 yaks arriving later today and tomorrow. The yaks and yak drivers will start up with the first loads for ABC, accompanied by Mingma Tenzing and Chewang Lendu.Â The members will take another couple days of acclimatization hiking in the BC area, before they move up.Â Advanced Base Camp is well over 18,000 feet, so we want to make sure everyone is well acclimatized before moving up there.

So far, so good!

Eric Simonson