Say Goodbye To The Glaciers

February 15, 2013

This 1936 USGS photo shows (L-R) Semantri, Ngga Pulu, and Carstensz East (Carstensz Pyramid is to the right, out of the picture).

IMG guide Dan Zokaites reports that the West Papua teamâ€™s plan for tomorrow is to head up to climb Ngga Pulu or maybe Carstensz East, depending on how the route looks.Â The team needed crampons for their climb of Semantri, but for Ngga Pulu it is mostly a rock climb now, with just a small amount of glacier left on it.

If you want to climb Glaciers in Oceania, you better get moving!

Eric Simonson

Damp But Not Defeated

February 15, 2013

Along Lake Nordenskjold (Tye Chapman)

Tye and team got a bit â€˜dampâ€™ yesterday.Â It is Patagonia, right?Â Longer walking day yesterday as they explored up towards the head of the Silence Valley.Â The gang did well but no one was upset after they accomplished the goal and spent a warm, dry night back at the Refugio.

They give the legs a rest today, relatively speaking, with a hike alongside Lake Nordenskjold and the night spent at Refugio Los Cuernos.Â Nice.

Phil Ershler

Game Day

The Kili Team (Photo: Jenni Fogle)

February 15, 2013

Weatherâ€™s good, teamâ€™s good, high camp is good and itâ€™s game day.Â Nice thing about spending 6 nights/7 days on the mountain is that the team has a fairly short day going to high camp at Barafu and they arrive just after noon.Â Gives them plenty of time to pack, eat and drink and rest prior to a VERY early wake up/start.Â Maybe that’s another one of the reasons why IMG has never had a team not summit.Â And thatâ€™s since our first trip in 1989.Â Jenniâ€™s ready for number 3 and everyone in the group is ready for number 1.Â Weâ€™ll post the summit update when available.

Phil Ershler

Carstensz Summits!

February 14, 2013

Tyrolean Traverse on Carstensz Pyramid (Dan Zokaites)

IMG guide Dan Zokaites called on the sat phone to report that the team reached the summit of Carstensz Pyramid today.Â He said they had some rain along the way, and that recent snowfall had made the upper pitches a bit more complicated.Â Nonetheless, they made good time on the route and were up and down in about 12 hours.

Eric Simonson

Which Way To The Summit?

February 14, 2013

Which way to the summit? (photo: Mike Marker)

From: Michael Marker

Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2013 7:01 AM

To: Eric Simonson

Subject: Which way to the summit?

Â

All is well at Karanga camp. Everyone sends love to their families for Valentine’s Day.

Â

-Mike Marker

Patagonia Team Taking In The Views

February 13, 2013

: The Crew (Photo: Tye Chapman)

: Torres del Paine

Tye Chapman called in today from Patagonia.Â The first day on the trail for the team saw them walking up for their first view of Torres del Paine.Â Tye said a bit of low fog made for some â€˜eerieâ€™ views.Â Impressive, to say the least.Â Tonight is at the Refugio Chileno.Â Tomorrowâ€™s the Silence Valley.

All is well.

Phil Ershler

And That’s A Wrap

February 13, 2013

Aconcagua and the Polish Glacier (Phil Ershler)

Mike, Josh, Leandro and team, all their gear and all fingers and toes are now back in Mendoza.Â Lots to sort and organize and pack away today but lots of time for more meals and naps, too.Â Big dinner tonight and flights home for most of the crew tomorrow.Â Safe, successful, enjoyable and a great learning experience â€“ that pretty much wraps up the Big Four of an IMG expedition.Â From Mike to our most junior arriero (mule driver) they all deserve a huge congratulations.Â IMG probably emphasizes this more than any other guide service but Aconcagua is no trek.Â This is a serious undertaking and should be tackled only by climbers who are fit and prepared to work as part of a team.Â IMG climbers climb Aconcagua.Â No one is waiting on them, putting up their tents and carrying all their gear.Â Our team members are active participants who come with IMG because they want to climb.Â Pretty cool.

Congratulations to Mikeâ€™s team.Â That wraps up our 2012/13 season.Â Seven expeditions in all.Â Five groups reached the top; weather said no to the other two.Â But no accidents and no close calls.Â We call that a very good season.

Phil Ershler

From Shira To Barranco Camp

February 13, 2013

Lead IMG guide Jenni Fogle called in from Barranco Camp after the team enjoyed some better weather today.Â Jenni reports that everyone is very strong and doing well with the altitude so far.Â Plus she says that they’re just a fun crew to hang out with.Â This bodes well for the team as the challenge of the day was to climb to over 14,500′, before they dropped back down to camp at about 13,000′.Â Not an easy day for most people, but certainly rewarding.Â Dinner was about to be served when Jenni called.

: Trekking Rocks. (photo: Mike Marker)

: The long haul (photo: Mike Marker)

: The Indiana Crew (photo: Mike Marker)

They’ll get some rest overnight and will begin the scramble over the Breach Wall tomorrow, with the end goal of the day being Karanga camp.Â Keep up the good work team!

Clarissa Morford

Patagonia Team Arrives In Punta Arenas

La Luna in Punta

February 12, 2013

Tye Chapman reports in from Punta last night that all members of the party are ‘present and accounted for’.Â Always a good excuse to go have dinner with our friends at La Luna restaurant in Punta.Â It never disappoints.Â Â With a team of 10, that’s no small feat, especially with the storms which have plagued the east coast.Â Puerto Natales is the project for today with a peek at penguins on the way.

Phil Ershler

Kili Team At Shira Camp

February 12, 2013

Kilimanjaro revealing itself from behind the clouds

Jenni Fogle checked in at 5:50am PST (4:50pm Kili time) to report that the team had reached Shira Camp and all are doing great.Â They had good weather for the hike today, just missing the light rain that has just started to fall.Â All are snug in their tents for now and are getting ready for dinner together shortly.Â Tomorrow they head to Baranco Camp.Â All is well!

George Dunn