September 29, 2023–

A hippopotamus basking in the sun (Audrey Simonson)

IMG Guide Audrey Simonson reported the team is enjoying seeing all the magnificent game in the classic Serengeti and Ngorongoro Game Parks. The team has seen majestic elephants and vibrant zebras all while enjoying the African sunset painting the savannah. The team also had the opportunity to stop at the historic Olduvai Gorge, one of the most significant paleoanthropological sites in the world. The team spent time taking in the views and visiting the local museum displaying the important ancient human artifacts found at the site.

A vibrant zebra seen from a Game Drive (Audrey Simonson)

IMG Kilimanjaro climber enjoying the local sites at the historic Olduvai Gorge (Audrey Simonson)

September 27, 2023–

IMG Team celebrating their 100% successful summits (Audrey Simonson)

IMG Guide Audrey Simonson called in to let us know the team enjoyed their day by having lunch in Arusha and celebrating their 100% success rate. IMG Safari participants flew to Serengeti and will enjoy the next four days exploring viewing animals in the classic Serengeti and Ngorongoro Game Parks.

Congrats to our September Kilimanjaro team on a successful climb!

Sunset views in the Serengeti Game Park (Harry Hamlin)

A lion in an open field while venturing through the Safari (Harry Hamlin)

Sept 25, 2023 – IMG Guide Audrey Simonson called to report that all Kili climbers made the summit early this morning. The team enjoyed the climb under clear skies, cresting the rim of the dormant volcano as the sun peaked over the horizon. The team has successfully made it back to Mweka camp at 10,000ft and enjoyed a celebratory dinner together.

IMG climbers stand on top of Kilimanjaro on Sept 25, 2023 (Audrey Simonson)

Tomorrow, the team will descend back to Moshi and depart to the Serengeti to begin their wildlife safari. All is well in Tanzania.

September 24, 2023

IMG leader Audrey Simonson reported that the team had a nice hike up to Barafu Camp (15,000 ft) today, and then spent the afternoon resting, eating, and hydrating.

They are planning to get up at 11PM and be on the trail by midnight!  Summit Day is a big push, but the team has done the work to put themselves in position to be successful.   They are well acclimatized and have stayed healthy, so fingers crossed for a nice day tomorrow, and a safe climb to the summit and descent!

Eric Simonson

September 23, 2023

IMG guide Audrey Simonson reports that the team had a nice day today on their hike from Barranco Camp, and everyone is doing well!

The trail was steep at first as they went up and over the Barranco Wall, then a nice traverse after that, up and down into several small valleys.  They had some clouds but no rain.  As they neared the camp, they descended to Karanga Valley, the final water source, before climbing up to the actual campsite which is situated above the valley at about 13,000 ft.  From here it is an easy day tomorrow up to the Barafu Camp, at 15,000 ft.  Their plan is to arrive in time for a hot lunch, with all afternoon to rest and prepare for the summit ascent the next day.   All’s well at Kilimanjaro!

Eric Simonson

September 22nd, 2023–

Barranco Camp with the Breach Wall and Icicle above (Eric Simonson)

IMG leader Audrey Simonson called in on the sat phone this morning (at IMG in WA, it was dinner time for them) to report that everyone on the team was doing well.  Today they departed the Shira Camp at about 12,500 ft and climbed up to Lava Tower at about 14,500 ft, then dropped down to the Barranco Camp at 13,000 ft.  This is great acclimatization!   The weather has been predominantly fair, with some afternoon clouds and a short period of sprinkles today.  Now it has cleared up and they have nice views.  Tomorrow the team will ascend the steep trail over the Barranco Wall, before traversing around to Karanga Camp.  All’s well on Kilimanjaro!

On the way to Lava Tower (Eric Simonson)

Porters approaching the Barranco Camp with the giant groundsel plants (Eric Simonson)

September 21, 2023–

Camp near various native African plants (IMG Vault)

IMG Guide Audrey Simonson noted the team successfully climbed through the forest to the Shira Plateau (12,000′) today. The team passed by unique ecology including Native Africa plants Lobelia and Groundsel.