Vinson Team At C1

Location of Camp 1 (Phil Ershler)

November 26, 2012

Mikeâ€™s call today reported that they rallied and made the move to C1.Â Everyone firing strong.Â He said they got a good, secure camp built and will look at making a carry to high camp on the 27^th.Â Weather remains good and forecast remains good.Â Once theyâ€™ve carried to high camp, theyâ€™ll be in perfect position to either head for the top right away or, if weather says no, wait it out at C1 and then head straight up when the weather breaks.

So far, this is about as good as it gets.

Phil Ershler

Good News From Antarctica

November 26, 2012

Near Camp 1 on Vinson Massif (Phil Ershler)

We had good news from Antarctica throughout the holiday weekend.Â IMG Senior Guide, Mike Hamill, and team were able to fly onto the Ice (Union Glacier) right on schedule, November 23. They spent that evening at the Union Glacier camp.Â This is where the big IL76 lands.Â ALE (the flight service) has the bulk of their infrastructure located here.Â Lots of personnel, vehicles and supplies.

Early the following morning, the team flew the last 45 minutes over to Vinson base camp, about 7000 ft.Â It was early, the weather was good and the team felt strong.Â A quick sort, a quick pack and they took off to carry a load to C1, about 10,000 ft.Â Food, fuel, some equipment were cached there and the crew returned to Vinson base.

Last call from Mike reported weather remaining good and I may hear today that they are moving to C1 or might even be carrying to C2.Â Iâ€™ll let you know when Mike has a minute to call.

Phil Ershler

Vinson Team Doing Well

November 24, 2012

Vinson Base Camp

Yesterday, IMG Guide Mike Hamill checked in from Vinson Base Camp after carrying to Camp 1. All is well!

Phil Ershler

New Guide Uniforms?

November 20, 2012

IMG Guide Josh McDowell is bestowed with the prestigious and highly coveted "Ugliest Sweater Champion" trophy.

IMG guides (Left —> Right) Chris Meder, Dustin Balderach, Josh McDowell, andÂ Tyler Gimenez sporting their ugliest sweater at Tyler’s first annual Ugly Sweater Party.Â Looking good, guys.

Becky K.

100% Summit On Orizaba

November 16, 2012

Route follows the glacier center-left in the photo (Phil Ershler)

George Dunn, leading the current IMG Mexico trip, just called in.Â 100% on top of Orizaba.Â He was super excited about how well everyone did.Â All stood on top.Â He was calling from below a spot called the Labyrinth.Â Itâ€™s a series of gullies which provide access to the upper mountain.Â Sometimes theyâ€™re easy snow, sometimes a bit icy.Â George said they were a bit on the â€˜firmâ€™ side this week but that the entire team is already through that area.Â Now, itâ€™s pretty much a matter of a couple of hours of rocky trail and theyâ€™ll be back to the hut.Â The driver and 4-wheel vehicle will be waiting for them.Â Then, itâ€™s another couple of hours down to the Reyes family compound in Tlachichuca.Â Beer, showers and dinner â€“ and in that order.Â Great job and congratulations to all.

Phil Ershler

Mexico Team Summits Ixta

November 14, 2012

Iztaccihuatl circa 1941

My partner, George Dunn, is in Mexico right now with one of our teams.Â Almost impossible to have anything other than a great time if George is at the helm.Â Weatherâ€™s been excellent and George called this morning to say â€“ â€œsummitâ€.Â All but one stood on top of Ixta this morning.Â Weather remains great and the team will head to Puebla for a night of R & R before heading to Tlachichuca on Thursday.

One down.

Phil Ershler

Rough Seas On Lago Grey

November 9, 2012

Windy conditions have been the norm for Greg & Co. (Tye Chapman)

Greg checked in from Refugio Paine Grande this afternoon after calling a bit of an audible…

The schedule had the team getting on a boat (from Refugio Grey) around noon, but the high winds had stirred up Lago Grey so much that the national park cancelled boat.

What is Plan B you ask? Well, they put their hiking shoes back on and headed over to Refugio Paine Grande – a 4 hour hike – where they jumped aboard the catamaran…The same one they used a couple days ago.Â They’re now safely at the van and en route to Puerto Natales where they’ll grab a late dinner.

Tomorrow, they’ll head to Punta Arenas and catch their flights home!

Tye Chapman

Whitecaps & Icebergs

November 8, 2012

A few of the icebergs along the beach at Lago Grey. (Tye Chapman)

Greg checked in again today, this time from Refugio Grey. Today they had a nice hike up towards John Garner pass along the Grey Glacier. Right now they’re in the hut enjoying a glass of wine as the snow falls (sideways) again.

Yesterday the weather wasn’t quite as cooperative; it sounds like wind was the theme of the day.Â They didn’t make the journey up Mt. Ferrier, instead they walked the iceberg laden beach of Lago Grey. This was followed by their boat ride to the refugio which was accompanied by some nice sized whitecaps crashing over the bow!

They’re done trekking, just a boat ride back to an awaiting shuttle which will take them back to Puerto Natales for a celebration dinner.

Tye Chapman

Patagonia Trekkers All Smiles After French Valley

November 7, 2012

French Valley Panorama (Greg Vernovage)

Greg checked in from Hosteria Tyndall this morning:

“We had a windy and rainy day yesterday but it was a blast! The guys are doing great. We had 20 minutes with no rain or wind yesterday and were rewarded with a great view from the French Valley. After the long hike we hopped aboard our catamaran and were off to the hotel.”

This morning they’ll have a couple hours to relax at the hotel before loading up and heading up Mt. Ferrier. It’s just a 2-hour hike but the views are incredible! After the hike they’ll grab a bite to eat and catch their boat ride across Lago Grey to Refugio Grey where they’ll be for a couple nights.Â Tomorrow they’ll trek alongside Grey Glacier and if the weather and trail conditions allow, on up to John Garner Pass.

Tye Chapman

Los Torres —> Refugio Cuernos

November 6, 2012

Lago Nordenskjold (Tye Chapman)

Greg checked in from Refugio Cuernos after another nice day of trekking. They had a great day yesterday, catching views of Los Torres, before a bit of rain, and eventually snow, rolled in on them. The good news is the rain/snow hit hardest after they pulled into the hut. No better way to enjoy the falling snow than watching it fall while sipping a glass of wine.

Today they walked along Lago Nordenskjold taking in some big views. Right now, my bet is they’re sitting down to dinner enjoying the sunset.

Tomorrow they’ll head into the French Valley, another signature section of the national park.

The trail is a little wet under foot and there’s still a good bit of snow up high, but this crew is loving it.

Tye Chapman