June 26, 2013
Denali Team
Greg called in yesterday morning to let us know that the team flew into base camp. All good and weather remains pretty much perfect. Lots of evening travel will be the order of business. Nice weather is just that, nice, but travel when it’s a bit cooler is often a good option.
Phil Ershler
June 25, 2013
IMG guide Sheldon Kerr (in purple) and the June Kilimanjaro team in Moshi, all ready to go (photo: Srivatsa Srinivasan)
IMG guide Sheldon Kerr reports that the Kili team had a good day today. After a team meeting to get things rolling, they headed into the town of Moshi to check out the local scene. They walked around town a bit, visited the market, and stopped off at the Kilimanjaro Porter Assistance Project office, before heading back to the hotel for a late lunch and putting the finishing touches on gear packing. Everyone is set, the weather is good, and it’s time to go climbing! Tomorrow morning they load up the Land Rovers for the steep road up to the Machame Gate where they will hit the trail.
Eric Simonson
June 25, 2013
41 years is quite a history with one mountain, but JanSport is once again back on Rainier for their 41st Annual JanSport Climb. Climbers from as far away as Brazil have come together this year to tackle Mt. Rainier via the DC and Emmons Routes. (Side note: one of the Brazilians had never seen snow!)
Leading the Disappointment Cleaver team is 500 time Rainier summitter and IMG Partner, George Dunn. Geo’s team made it up to Muir yesterday in good form, despite the wet conditions. Last report had them enjoying the evening above the clouds last night.
Over on the Emmons route, IMG Lead Guide Chris Meder had his team set up at Camp Schurman ready for a summit attempt today. No report on their progress yet, but we should hear from Chris later today.
Tomorrow both climbs will come downhill and swap stories around the campfire at one of our favorite spots here in Ashford, The Wellspring.
Photos to follow…
Tye Chapman
June 24, 2013
Kilimanjaro and Mawenzi at sunset from near Kilimanjaro Airport (Eric Simonson)
IMG guide Sheldon Kerr checked in from Moshi, Tanzania at the foot of Kilimanjaro to say that she and the rest of the IMG June Kili team managed to fly halfway around the world without losing any luggage. That’s the way to start the trip! Right now everyone is off to bed with jet lagged induced coma, but tomorrow they will have a rest day to stroll around town, do their gear checks, and get their porter duffels packed up. So far so good!
Eric Simonson
June 24, 2013
Quite the crew.
IMG Senior Guide, Greg Vernovage, is guiding for Denali concession holder and our good friends, Alaska Mountaineering School, as he takes a group of long-time IMG climbers up Denali. The team rendezvoused in Anchorage Sunday morning before driving together to Talkeetna. Gear checks, final packing, meetings with the National Park and with AMS will fill two days prior to their flight onto the mountain the morning of the 25th. They stopped at a well-known look out just prior to arriving in Talkeetna for their first ‘hero picture’. Does this look like a strong crew or what?
Stay tuned. We’ll post updates when Greg has a chance to call in.
Phil Ershler
June 20, 2013
Nevado Sajama
IMG guide Greg Vernovage reports that weather has stayed very cold and windy, which led the team to abandon their attempt on Sajama. Instead, they loaded up the mules and retreated to a hacienda in the nearby village. After a good meal they visited the local hot springs and geysers, before returning for the night knowing they gave Sajama their best shot.  Today they are up early, heading back to LaPaz.
Eric Simonson
June 18, 2013
High camp on Sajama (Mark Ursino)
IMG guide Greg Vernovage reports that the team made a good attempt today at reaching the high camp (Campo Alto at about 18,000’) but that they were turned back by high winds. Greg said it was rippin’ up high. They have now returned to Base Camp (15,750’) and will stay the night and make a plan for tomorrow. Good job, gang. Glad to hear you were listening when the mountain was talking.
Eric Simonson
June 17, 2013
Sajama. (Ben Marshall)
IMG guide Greg Vernovage called today to report the team had successfully made their way out of the Cordillera Real (the mountains to the east of Lake Titicaca) and were now  on their way south  to Sajama  (21463 ft / 6542 m), the highest peak in Bolivia. To get there the team needs to drive across the Altiplano (the Bolivian high altitude plain) to the Sajama National Park, very near the border with Chile and Peru. After arrival, they will hike up to the Base Camp this afternoon (and go to the high camp the following day). So far, so good!
Eric Simonson
Alpamayo
IMG leader Greg Venovage reports by sat phone from Base Camp that the Bolivia team had a nice climb today of Pequeño Alpamayo (17,482′). Well done! The weather and conditions were good, and the training yesterday paid off, as the ascent required some steep climbing. After a good rest tonight, the plan for tomorrow is to load up the mules in the morning, descend to the road, drive to Sajama, and then climb up to the Sajama Base Camp.
-Eric Simonson
June 14, 2013
IMG leader Greg Vernovage reports that the team moved yesterday up to the Tambo Condoriri Camp at about 14,100 feet. Then, today, they continued their gradual approach, climbing up to the Condoriri Base Camp at 15,200 feet. Greg says that everyone is doing well with their acclimatization program. The rain they had earlier in the week has ended and the weather is now cold and clear, with temperatures tonight at BC expected to be well down into the single digits (Fahrenheit). The plan for tomorrow is to train out on the nearby glacier with an emphasis on cramponing and ropework, in preparation for the Pequeno Alpamayo climb.
Eric Simonson
