January 4, 2013
The view from the summit. (Photo by Phil Ershler)
News is good today from the top of Vinson. Greg Vernovage called in to let us know that the entire team was on the summit with perfect weather conditions. The weather was just too good to take a rest day. ‘About as good as it gets’  - was Greg’s report. They’re heading down to high camp now and will return all the way to Vinson base camp tomorrow.
Great news from the top of the bottom of the world!
Phil Ershler
January 3, 2013
Tomorrow's goal for the Aconcagua crew.
Ty Gimenez called in from their second trekking camp today. Their fire-grilled steak last night gave them plenty of fuel today, though assistant guide, and our resident ‘organic foodie’, Peter Adams, thought it was a touch too salty. Let’s not feel too sorry for him.
In all seriousness, the group is moving strongly and shouldn’t have any issues with tomorrow’s push into Plaza Argentina, their Base Camp. Once in Base Camp, they’ll relax and enjoy a rest day on Saturday. We should hear from Tyler again tomorrow.
Greg also called in this afternoon. His team moved up to High Camp today without too much issue. They’ll take a rest day tomorrow to get their legs and lungs back and likely give it a go on Saturday…Wx permitting of course!
Tye Chapman
January 2, 2013
Looking up the headwall on the way to Camp 2 (High Camp). (Photo by Jason Tanguay)
Greg checked in from Antarctica again today – all continues to go well. Yesterday, the team enjoyed their rest day and celebrated the New Year with a Jello No-bake cheesecake. Today they carried to High Camp, no small feat. Well deserved quesadillas are on the menu tonight.
Can’t count the chickens just yet, but their weather forecast looks good for the next few days. Time will tell.
All is well on the ice.
Tye Chapman
Lower trekking camp (Tye Chapman)
January 2, 2013
Ty Gimenez called in from Pampa de Llenas, where the team has pulled in to their first trekking camp on the way to Plaza Argentina on Aconcagua. The group is moving well and are enjoying a beautiful day, not too hot, not too cold…and the wind isn’t blowing too hard either.
On the menu tonight: fire grilled steak. So far so good.
Tye Chapman
January 2, 2013
Kilimanjaro and Mawenzi at sunset from near the JRO airport (Eric Simonson)
Ang Jangbu reports from Kilimanjaro airport that the final day of the safari went smoothly and that everyone made their flight connections. They started with a 7:30am departure from Ngorongoro crater, then headed back to Arusha for lunch, repacking, and some shopping, and finally continued on to JRO airport later in the afternoon. Most of the team head for home while a few of them are heading to the beach (Zanzibar!). Ang Jangbu Sherpa will be traveling back to Kathmandu, where he will be getting ready for the IMG Everest programs starting in March. Despite hitting some bad weather on the climb, it sounds like a great trip. Well done team!
Eric Simonson
January 1, 2013
Aconcagua (Tye Chapman)
It’s been a busy few days in South America & Antarctica…
Josh Tapp and his Aconcagua team rolled into Penitentes after their 18 mile hike out, just as fellow IMG Guide Ty Gimenez and his team were putting the final touches on their gear. Tapp and Co. will continue on to Mendoza for a late shower & well deserved steak and maybe a cerveza. Ty and his team will load up and hit the trail tomorrow morning. It’s nice when two good friends get the chance to shake hands and exchange mountain info halfway around the world.
Even further south sits Greg Vernovage and his Vinson team. Greg checked in yesterday with good news; they had already rolled into Camp 1 and were looking forward to ringing in the new year in Antarctica. Â Today they are taking a rest day, but will spend a little time fine tuning their fixed-lines skills. Call it an active rest day.
We’ll likely hear from both Ty and Greg tomorrow as they push on up their respective mountains.
Tye Chapman
December 31, 2012
Happy New Year from the Kili Team (Ang Jangbu)
Ang Jangbu reports: “We had an amazing day. Visited Olduvai Gorge, Masai village, and saw all the animals that live in the Crater. Our Safari guide/driver surprised us just before climbing up from crater to the rim – they pulled out a couple bottles of wine!  We celebrated the good safari and just checked into Sopa Lodge. We are celebrating New Years Eve and Josh’s birthday tonight. Here is a photo of the team.” – Ang Jangbu
Eric Simonson
December 30, 2012
Looking up towards the summit (Phil Ershler)
Josh Tapp called it at 7:30 am Pacific time from the summit of Aconcagua. One member returned early but the others were able to persevere and stood on top. Congratulations for a job VERY well done. Now, they need to stay focused and get back to high camp. The team will descend tomorrow to Plaza Mulas, on the Horcones Valley side of the mountain, completing their traverse. One long day later and they will be heading for Mendoza.
Phil Ershler
December 30, 2012
Young giraffe (Phil Ershler)
Just in from Jangbu and our Kilimanjaro team. Here’s what he had to say:
“We had a great day today. Left the Serengeti Sopa at 8 am and arrived at the Ndutu Safari Lodge at 3 pm, seeing countless numbers of animals, as usual. Saw leopard twice, one in Seronera and one in Ndutu, two prides of lions and cheetah. We plan to leave here soon after breakfast at 6:30 am tomorrow and head to the Crater, with a stop at one of the Masaai Villages and the Olduvai Gorge. Will send you an update from Ngorongoro tomorrow evening.â€Â – Ang Jangbu
Phil Ershler
December 29, 2012
Frozen Lake (Phil Ershler)
Josh Tapp called. Camp 3 is now occupied. Everyone continues to feel good. Good is relative at around 6000 meters. Forecast is good for tomorrow. The team will be weighing the weather and how they’re feeling and make a good decision regarding whether to head for the top in the morning or take a day off. Pros and cons to each choice. Josh, Leandro and the entire team will discuss and do what they feel is best. They’re in a good position.
Phil Ershler
