Bolivia Team wraps up an incredible two weeks

October 30th, 2023–

IMG climbers ascend to Illimani High Camp (Tincho Lucero)

IMG Guide Tincho checked in and let us know the team has safely returned back to La Paz, concluding their incredible two weeks in Bolivia. The team reflects on their time and highlights the delicious food, beautiful sights, and fantastic climbing while enjoying some rest and a beautiful day in the high altitude city.

The Bolivia team wraps up after strong efforts on their summit attempt of Illimani. While a valiant attempt was made to summit this spectacular peak, ultimately they were turned back due to deteriorating route conditions caused by unseasonably warm temperatures. Hats off to our Bolivia team for their hard work and efforts the past two weeks!

Interested in joining us in Bolivia next summer? Dates are live for Bolivia 2024, read more about it on our website: https://www.mountainguides.com/bolivia.shtml

IMG Bolivia rope team ascending towards Illimani High Camp (Tincho Lucero)

The summit of Illimani (21,200′) from the trek up to High Camp (Tincho Lucero)

Mera climbers reach Khare

October 29, 2023

Mera Peak from above Khare. Mera La out of sight to the left (Eric Simonson)

From near Khare looking down the Hinku valley towards Thagnak (Eric Simonson)

On the trail to Khare (Stu Johnson)

On the way to Khare (Stu Johnson)

The IMG Mera guides report that the team had a nice hike today up to Khare, the highest village in the Hinku Valley at about 5000m (16,400 ft). Along the way, they skirted the north face of Mera Peak, a very imposing wall of rock and ice, and enjoyed their first views up towards the Mera La (pass) that links the Hinku Valley with the Hongu Valley.Â The team will be taking an acclimatization hike tomorrow, as they prepare for the move up to the high camp.

Eric Simonson

Mera Climbers explore above Thagnak

October 28, 2023

Sabai Glacier

IMG team members at the lake

A breach in the moraine with Kusum Kanguru behindÂ

The team with Mera on the acclimatization hike (Justin Sackett)

IMG guide Justin Sacket reports that the team had a nice acclimatization hike today, with some of the team exploring the glacial lake Sabai Tsho (also referred to as Tama Pokhari) while the rest of the team pushed higher up the valley towards Khare village, for better views of Mera Peak.

The story of Sabai Tsho/Tama Pokhari is a classic example of a GLOF (glacial lake outburst flood) which is a problem in many parts of Nepal, as glaciers have retreated leaving unstable lakes. Â On September 3, 1998 a large avalanche descended the Sabai Glacier into the glacial lake that was impounded by the terminal moraine, causing a big wave that breached the moraine, sending a massive GLOF down the valley, running all the way to the confluence with the Dudh Kosi river many miles downsteam.Â A number of villages were hit and many people lost.Â In recent years there has been a lot of effort made in Nepal to identify the vulnerable lakes and villages, and to lower the lake levels in the ones that are precarious.

Eric Simonson

Mera Team reaches Thagnak (4350m)

October 27th, 2023–

IMG Team on their way to Thagnak (14,271′) (Phunuru Sherpa)

IMG Guides Phunuru Sherpa, Stu Johnson, and Justin Sackett checked-in today to report the team enjoyed their day and felt strong trekking from Hinku Khola to Thagnak (14,271′), a new high point on this trip. The team stopped by a monastery while trekking and participated in a Puja Ceremony honoring the local culture and traditions. Climbers are resting well and preparing for an acclimatization hike tomorrow.

IMG Team heading into the Monastery for a Puja Ceremony (Stu Johnson)

IMG Team participating in a Puja Ceramony (Stu Johnson)

IMG Tea House with Kyashar (Kelly Pittman)

IMG Bolivia Team prepares for Illimani (21,200′)

October 26th, 2023

Illimani while heading towards Illimani Basecamp (15.740′) (Tincho)

IMG Bolivia Guides Tincho and Marcelo checked in and noted the team is feeling well-rested and strong after a couple of days enjoying La Paz. The team headed back out into the mountains today to prepare for their summit attempt of Bolivia’s highest peak, Illimani (21,200′). Team members are currently making their way to Illimani Basecamp for the night and plan to continue skills training and acclimatization tomorrow.

Mera Team the first to hike Khote Ri (4100m)

October 26th, 2023–

IMG Mera Team on the descent from Khote Ri (13451′) (Justin Sackett)

IMG Guide Justin Sackett checked in from Khote to report that the Mera Peak/Ama Dablam team spent the day acclimatizing by hiking to a scenic viewpoint on a new trail in the area. The team was rewarded with beautiful views of their climbing goal Mera Peak, seen peaking through the clouds. Tomorrow the team will hike to Thagnak, ascending to nearly 4350m, a new high for the team this trip.

Team Photo with their big objective, Mera Peak, in the back (Justin Sackett)

IMG Mera Team enjoying dinner in Khote after a great day of acclimatization hiking (Justin Sackett)

Morning sky outside of the hotel in Khote, Nepal (Justin Sackett)

Mera Climbers reach Khote

October 25th, 2023–

Mera Peak team at Khote (Phunuru Sherpa)

IMG Leaders Phunuru Sherpa, Stu Johnson, and Justin Sackett report the team had a great trip over to Khote (3,600m/11,811′) in the Hinku valley. The weather was excellent and the helicopter made 4 laps from Lukla to get the climbers and their gear moved over and over the Zwatra La pass. Now the team will take a day of acclimatization hiking before starting to move higher up the Hinku valley. All’s well in Nepal!

Khote with Mera behind (Anthony Nightingale)

IMG Bolivia Team enjoys a rest day in La Paz

October 25th, 2023–

Walking through the colorful and vibrant Witches Market in La Paz (Tincho Marcelo)

After a fun and exhilarating time climbing throughout the Cordillera Real Mountains including PequeÃ±o Alpamayo, and Huayna Potosi, the IMG Bolivia team is enjoying a rest day in La Paz before they attempt to summit Bolivia’s tallest peak, Illimani (20,100′) this weekend. The Team is walking through the colorful and vibrant Calle de Las Brujas (Witches Street) and enjoying local art and architecture.

Saint Peters Church near Calle de Las Brujas (Witches Street) (Tincho Marcelo)

IMG Bolivia Climbers enjoying views from the Gondala across town (Tincho Marcelo)

Mera Peak climbers go for a hike!

October 24, 2023

The team on their hike today (Stu Johnson)

Team selfie! (Stu Johnson)

Today the Mera Peak team explored the Lukla area via an acclimatization hike! The team reached almost 12,000 feet and was able to get 360-degree views of the valley and the peaks above. Tonight, the team will enjoy their last evening in Lukla before departing in the morning for a Khote via helicopter!

Audrey Simonson

Bolivia Team begins their descent down to La Paz

October 23rd, 2023–

IMG Bolivia Team on the ascent of Huayna Potosi (Tincho)

IMG Bolivia Guide Tincho checked in and let us know the team woke up early this morning and looked strong as they began their ascent of Huayna Potosi. The team kept good spirits as they continued making their way close to the summit, but ultimately had to turn around due to some rockfall. Team members turned around and returned safely back to basecamp and will continue their descent down to La Paz for a restful night.

Strong efforts by our IMG Bolivia team!

An alpine lake with Huayna Potosi standing tall in the background (IMG Vault)