Climbers Back To Kathmandu

September 27, 2012

The Manaslu team flew back to Kathmandu by helicopter today, and the sherpa team are on their way out to Arughat with the porters.Â Great to know everyone is safe and sound.Â Manaslu was tough expedition, but by all accounts Mike, Peter, and the IMG climbers and sherpas did a heroic job participating in the rescue after the avalanche at Camp 3.Â Well done, team.Â As someone much wiser than me once said:Â we may love the mountains, but they donâ€™t care about us.Â For next year we will be hoping that the Chinese reopen Cho Oyu!

Eric Simonson

Grandeur Of Kilimanjaro

September 27, 2012

The Kili Team

From: Chris Meder

Sent: Friday, September 28, 2012 5:39 AM (Tanzania)

To: Phil Ershler; Eric Simonson

Subject: Grandeur of Kilimanjaro

Another spectacular day of hiking here in Tanzania.Â The morning challenge of the Barranco wall led us to an up close look at the southern glaciers of Kilimanjaro.Â Always a stunning sight.Â We had a great hot lunch at Karanga camp, and minds are starting to turn towards summit day.Â Tomorrow is a short day to reach high camp and then it’s time for the main event!Â The group is feeling good, primed and ready.

Chris Meder

At Barranco Camp

September 26, 2012

Approaching Lava Tower

From: Chris Meder
Date: September 27, 2012 7:36:34 AM PDT (Tanzania)
To: Phil Ershler, Eric Simonson
Subject: At Barranco Camp

Phil & Eric,

The group did well on the climb to Lava Tower today. Â The weather pattern has changed a bit since the last trip, meaning less clouds in the afternoon which is nice. Â Fun walking today with the descent through the crazy vegetation. Â A few headaches in the group but that’s to be expected on the first trip above 14,000 feet. Â Now we’re at Barranco camp enjoying the stunning surrounds, some tea and popcorn.

Chris Meder

On The Way To Shira Camp

September 25, 2012

Traverse into Shira Camp

From: Chris Meder

Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2012 6:21 AM, (Tanzania)

To: Phil Ershler; Eric Simonson

Subject: On the way to Shira camp

Phil & Eric,

We had great weather again today on the climb to Shira camp. Everyone is enjoying the views.Â The group was sad to say goodbye to one team member who elected to go down early, but everyone is doing well.Â Here’s a photo from the traverse into Shira camp.Â Tomorrow we have a long but exciting day, hiking to just under 15000 feet to Lava Tower on the way to Barranco camp.

The group is anticipating the “Zone of Weird Plants” along the way.

Chris Meder

Manaslu Climbers Heading For Home

September 25, 2012

IMG leader Mike Hamill reports from Base Camp: Â “The team is doing well and in good spirits considering the events of the past few days. We had a lengthy team meeting today and have decided to leave the mountain for several reasons including continued unstable conditions high on the mountain. Â The Sherpa are headed up to C2 early tomorrow morning to bring down the remaining gear and they plan to be back to Base Camp around 10am so we can pack before lunch and head down early afternoon. We’ll spend the night in Sama and fly to Kathmandu the next morning”.

Eric Simonson

A Nice Walk To Machame Camp

September 24, 2012

The crew at the trailhead

One down and one to go.Â Thatâ€™s IMG Senior Guide Chris Mederâ€™s mantra right now.Â He picked up the second IMG Kilimanjaro team for September the same evening he helped the first crew board their flights home.Â We lucked out again with all members arriving (more or less) on time and with all luggage.Â Always a nice way to start a trip.

Chris called me this morning (evening his time) to let us know that the crew completed the first dayâ€™s hike and had just finished dinner at Machame Camp (10,000 ft).Â He reported beautiful weather for walking in the morning. Â Blue skies and views of the summit through the trees during their walk.Â Nice!

Phil Ershler

IMG Climbers Return To Base Camp

September 23, 2012

Manaslu Base Camp (Phunuru Sherpa)

IMG leader Mike Hamill reports that the team has now descended from Camp 2 to Base Camp.Â Â Sounds like it was starting to get windy up high, this morning, with blowing snow.

Now that the team is all down, we will discuss their options, and make a final decision about the expedition plans.

Eric Simonson

Manaslu Climbers Holding At Camp 2

September 23, 2012

IMG leader Mike Hamill made it back to Camp 2 and rejoined the IMG Team, after helping with the response to the avalanche at Camp 3.Â The IMG team is all doing well at Camp 2 and will spend another night there.Â Their plan is to descend to Base Camp in the morning, so weâ€™ll have more info after they get down.

This is a very sad accident, apparently caused by a random act of nature.Â When a serac (a big ice block) falls on a slope, it will cause the snow to be dislodged.

Our thoughts and prayers go to the climbers and families.

Eric Simonson

Avalanche Hits Camp 3; IMG Team Is All Well At C2

September 22, 2012

IMG Manaslu leader Mike Hamill reports that about 4:30am (local time) a serac fell triggering a slide that hit Camp 3. The IMG team is at Camp 2 and they are all safe and sound.Â Mike and several other guides are now responding to Camp 3 to assist. Â Â Weâ€™ll be waiting for more info.

Eric Simonson

Kili Crew Spots The Big Five

September 22, 2012

From: Chris Meder
Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2012 11:43 PM
To: Phil Ershler; Eric Simonson
Subject:Â Having a blast

Phil, Eric,

The gang on the crater rim.

We had a great day yesterday in Ngorongoro crater, seeing lots of animals including the Big Five, hippos, wildebeest, and a lesser known cat, the serival. The cooks prepared us another fantastic meal of local lamb last night, giving us a nice send off. This morning we stopped for a view of Ngorongoro crater on the drive back to Arusha – an amazing site!Â The group flies home tonight.Â Â Everyone is sad to leave but looking forward to getting home.

Chris Meder