Eiger Summit

August 11, 2013Â

Summit of the Eiger

Â IMG guides Matt and Margaret Farmer sent a quick message and photos from the free wifi at the Eigerjoch railway station on their way down to Kleine Scheidegg where they will spend the night.

Â All were successful climbing the Eiger via the Mittellegi Ridge yesterday, they report they couldnâ€™t have asked for a better day, especially since it was sandwiched between some pretty fierce storms.

Congratulations to Matt, Margaret, Dave S.and Steve S.!

George Dunn

Elbrus Team Ready To Go

August 10, 2013

Phil called today from Mt. Elbrus.Â He reported that the team went for an acclimatization hike today, and thatÂ everyone is feeling and looking strong.Â He also noted that the weather is holding steady, and looks great for their summit attempt tonight!

Josh McDowell

Bolivia Climbers Reach Condoriri Base Camp

August 10, 2013

Condoriri Base Camp (Viki Tracey)

IMG leader Greg Vernovage reports by sat phone that the team are doing well and have made a good transition to the mountains.Â Last night they were down at the Tambo Condoriri Hut (about 14,000 feet) and today they moved up to the Condoriri Base Camp (about 15,000 feet).Â They will spend the next two days doing mountaineering training on the nearby glacier, and becoming more used to the altitude before they head for Pequeno Alpamayo. Â Â Bolivia is a high altitude country, the â€œTibetâ€ of the western hemisphere, and it is important take plenty of time for acclimatization!

Eric Simonson

Swiss Alps Team Checks In

August 8, 2013

IMG guide Matt Farmer just reported in from a private climb in the Swiss Alps. This 8-day program started on August 5 with a plan to train and climb in the Chamonix area followed by an attempt on the classic Mittellegi Ridge of the Eiger. Â Hereâ€™s what he had to say:

â€œHowdy George-

The (Eiger program) is going great. Â In order to beat the weather arriving Wed/Thursday we started strong throwing them into the deep end day 1 & 2. Â We traversed the Aiguille d’Entreves Monday and stayed at the Torino hut. Â An early start Tuesday allowed us to tackle the Dent du Geant unacclimatized before the arrival of stormy weather Tuesday afternoon. Â They both rallied and we had great summits on both those peaks.

We had a rest/rain day Wed to avoid drowning and then had a super fun day today climbing the Arete des Cosmiques in full stormy winter conditions. Â We had the route all to ourselves, imagine that!

Tomorrow we will climb some classic alpine rock in the Aiguilles Rouges before heading to Grindelwald Saturday morning.

I’ll keep you updated on how the Eiger logistics progress but we are looking good. The guys are climbing well and we have a viable window coming up.â€

Matt Farmer

Bolivia Climbers Ready For The Mountains!

August 8, 2013

The Bolivia team on Sun Island (photo: Greg Vernovage)

Another great acclimatization day in Bolivia. We got an early start and caught a boat ride to Sun Island.Â It was a beautiful morning for a hike. We hiked up to the look out point and were able to see Illiampu as well as Illimani off in the distance.Â After a great traditional lunch on the lake shore we had a good ride back to Copacabana.Â Then, an afternoon hike, souvenir shopping and a great dinner, and we are acclimatized and ready to head out to the mountains.Â One piece of information that might be interesting to everyone is with the festival going on here in Copacabana, one of our team members got blessed by an armadillo, so we have that going for us!

Greg Vernovage

The Training Continues

August 8, 2013

Loading the van to head to our training area.

Another check-in from Phil early this morning.Â Everything is on track!

“Another day of training and acclimatization is in the books.Â Weather continues to hold.Â Up to the high hut in the morning.Â Everyone will be moving up.”

Phil Ershler

Going For A Hike In Russia

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

Blessed By Coca-Cola And Beer

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

The Witches Market For Lunch

August 5, 2013

From the lookout in La Paz with Illimani in the background.

We have the whole team together here in La Paz. Â It was great to have everyone arrive with ALL of there luggage. Â Always a big first step.

The team got to know each other this morning and we set out for our city tour. Â We had to stop by a favorite spot of mine, the lookout. Â We were rewarded once again with a view of Illimani. Â That is a big mountain!

A walk through the Witches Market was as fun as ever and a nice lunch. Â The afternoon is left for drinking water, picking up any odds and ends and packing the trekking and climbing duffles for our next step.

Tonight, we will get together and have our official welcome dinner. Â This is a nice group of people who I look forward to showing Lake Titicaca and the mountains surrounding it!

Elbrus Team Checks In

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