En route to Camp 3
December 28, 2012
Josh Tapp called in at 11:30 am Pacific time. They made the carry to C3, drop their loads and are already back at C2. The plan is to move up to C3 tomorrow. Still cold and breezy.  If everyone stays healthy and fit, we’re looking at a possible Sunday or Monday summit attempt. The winds be a big determining factor. For now, it’s one day at a time and the group is taking it ‘one day at a time’. Again, so far, so good.
Phil Ershler
December 28, 2012
Sunsets last a long time in Punta Arenas (Greg Vernovage)
Heard from Greg and team in Punta Arenas. ALE, the flight service, held a briefing for all the teams this morning. It’s show time. Luggage has been picked up and loaded into the IL 76. Now, it’s a matter of weather. The gang may even fly tonight. If not, hopefully first thing in the morning. Bottom line is that the crew is ready, luggage is locked and loaded and it’s show time.
Greg sent us this photo from their hotel. Any further south on the continent and they’re swimming. As he said, the sunsets lasts quite a while in Punta Arenas.
Phil Ershler
December 28, 2012
Approach to the crater rim at Stella Point (Ang Jangbu)
The Kilimanjaro team is back at the Keys Hotel. Hot showers, food and clothes drying were the order of the day. Soon, they will be flying out to the Serengeti and beginning the first of 3 days on safari. Of course, the only way to do a Kilimanjaro trip is to do the climb first, then safari. Can you imagine the thrill and sense of accomplishment in enjoying a gin and tonic which watching the sunset across the plains of the Serengeti? And, after just having climbed Kilimanjaro in not the easiest of conditions? Priceless.
Ang Jangbu sent us this photo of the team approaching the rim of the Crater at Stella Point. A little new snow, a tight, focused team and knowing that the summit is now in sight. Good stuff. A really Happy New Year to these guys!
Phil Ershler
December 28, 2012
One Happy Crew (Greg Vernovage)
Greg Vernovage checked in from Punta Arenas on Thursday evening. The team’s pretty much ready to go. Here’s hoping weather is good on the 29th so the gang can fly to the Ice.
“Good day for the team.  Gear checks done, great day in Punta Arenas, some lunch food and some repacking.  This is going to be a great team.  They are ready to go and laughing like crazy for now.  Briefing day tomorrow followed with the gear getting weighed and loaded.  The team is going to sneak in the Magellan’s foot tomorrow as well.  Have to touch the foot!  We are in for another amazing sunset if anyone stays awake for it.  Almost 11 pm and just enough clouds in the sky to show some color. All is well.†– Greg
Phil Ershler
December 27, 2012
High on Aconcagua (Phil Ershler)
Josh Tapp phoned in today from C2. The team had a good move day and are now out doing a quick crampon and ice axe review. Still breezy but manageable. Their plan is to make a carry to high camp tomorrow. Everyone’s healthy and working together well.
Aconcagua is not a trekking trip. It’s a true expedition and it’s great to see how members are so willing to help with carries and camp chores. Keep wishing the crew good luck with the wind.
Phil Ershler
December 27, 2012
Kili Team at the summit (Ang Jangbu)
Received a short email from Jangbu today. All it said was ‘Made It – The Whole Team’. He followed up with a phone call saying that he was standing at Uhuru, the true summit, and with all the team members.
They threaded the needle on this one. Weather didn’t make it easy but the team kept it together and pulled it off in style. The rain came back, in earnest, as they descended from Barafu, our high camp, and chased them all the way to Mweka Camp. But they all made it!
A big congratulations needs to go out to this entire team and to their lead guide, Ang Jangbu Sherpa. Doesn’t hurt to have a highly skilled climber/guide and Everest summiter in the lead. And none of it comes together without the skills, strength and support of our Chagga crew, both the guides and the staff. Individually and as a group, they are simply amazing people. We thank them, again, for sharing their mountain with another IMG team!
Phil Ershler
December 27, 2012
The IL 76 (Phil Ershler)
Greg Vernovage has the second IMG Vinson team for the season in Punta Arenas, Chile now. All members are there with all their luggage. Shopping is pretty much done and most of it will be packed by this afternoon. Each member’s personal gear needs to be carefully checked this afternoon, too.
Tomorrow’s the briefing with the flight service and the crew of the IL 76, the huge Russian cargo airplane that will take the team to 80 degrees South. If weather permits, they fly on the 29th. That means New Year’s Eve and Day will be on the Ice. Amazing!
We’ll keep you posted as they work their way up the highest mountain at the bottom of the world.
Phil Ershler
December 26, 2012
One of the many views along the way. (Photo by Tye Chapman)
Phil Ershler
December 26, 2012
The following email from Jangbu over on Kili greeted us this morning:
“We pulled into Barafu camp by 11:30 this morning. Everyone is doing really well. Like every day, we got rained on a bit, but not too bad. Had a great lunch at 12:45 pm and doing early dinner at 5:00 pm. Up at 11pm tonight for a midnight departure for summit.  Wish us luck. Hopefully, I will call you from the summit tomorrow morning.  Here is a photo I took at the switchback below Barafu.” – Ang Jangbu
The switchback below Barafu (photo: Ang Jangbu)
If we hear from Jangbu and team later today, we’ll get a dispatch up with the news. They’ll be walking through new snow up high but nice to know that the precip is slowly backing off. With everyone healthy, they have a good shot.
Phil Ershler
December 25, 2012
Climbing up the Barranco wall on Christmas (photo: Ang Jangbu)
Christmas at Karanga. The team’s at about 13,500 ft for Christmas. With the new snow on Kili, they certainly are having a white Christmas, at least higher up. Here’s the email Ang Jangbu provided Christmas morning:
“We are at Karanga Camp. Pulled in to camp at 12:15 pm, just before the big down pour. It started to rain a little when we were getting ready to leave the top of Barranco Wall and rained lightly until we reached Karanga River and then stopped but It’s pouring right now at 1:00pm as I type this message. Hopefully, it will stop raining at some point so people can dry things out.
Everyone is doing well. Here is a shot I took on the wall. We did not get the view from on top Barranco wall.
Lunch here pretty soon when the rain gets little lighter. Can’t sign off without wishing everyone back home a Merry Christmas.â€
Phil Ershler
