August 30, 2012
Base Camp of Manaslu.
We got word from Ang Jangbu last night that things are coming together nicely for our Manaslu team. The Sherpas have been hard at work making platforms for all of the tents. Next on the to do list is the Puja altar.
Hamill and the crew are well on their way to Base Camp, (15750 ft.) a 6 day trek in.
Tye Chapman
August 29, 2012
AHF supports day care centers in Mustang to promote health and education for youngsters. (Source: AHF Blog)
IMG’s association and support of the American Himalayan Foundation goes was back. Eric and I have known Norbu for years, and my wife, Susan Ershler, was so inspired by the Stop Girl Trafficking program, supported by the AHF, that a portion of every professional presentation she does goes directly to the AHF to help provide needed funds.
The AHF Annual Dinner raises dollars to support Stop Girl Trafficking and numerous other programs supported by the AHF. If you’re in San Francisco on October 3, go. If you’re close by, go. If you’re even considering attending, do it. And, it’s easy to help even if you can’t attend. Click the Donate button, and you’re there. Heck of a trio of speakers this year.
Phil Ershler
August 28, 2012
Ang Jangbu reports that the IMG climbers successfully reached Arughat today by bus. Sounds like the road conditions had improved, and they only had to switch buses once along the way. Tomorrow they are ready to start the trekking to Sama Gaon. For the trek up to Sama, (camping along the way) they will be accompanied by 6 trek sherpas, 4 kitchen boys, and 34 porters. Right now, up in Sama, Phunuru reports that the first group of sherpas and porters have now reached Base Camp and the second team is heading up tomorrow. Kaji Sherpa is en route to Sama right now with another porter team, and we have 50 Sama porters ordered for them to go up to BC on September 2.  So far, so good!
Before leaving Kathmandu, Mike and the team did their required briefing at Ministry of Tourism and also met with legendary Himalayan historian Liz Hawley. Liz estimates there will be 21 teams on Manaslu this autumn, including all the “usual suspects” (many of these teams also switched over from Cho Oyu, due to the current permit issues in Tibet).
Eric Simonson
August 27, 2012
Manaslu team in Kathmandu (Mike Hamill)
Ang Jangbu and Mike Hamill report from Kathmandu report that the team has all successfully arrived, and despite some airline glitches along the way, everyone made it to Nepal with all their gear. Congrats! That is always a good way to start an expedition! Joining IMG guides Mike Hamill and assistant Peter Anderson, we have 5 American climbers, 1 Canadian, 1 German, and 2 from Norway.
Mike and Peter have been working on packing gear and doing equipment checks the last couple days, and they have also received a good taste of the Nepal bureaucracy, as they joined Jangbu and his staff in procuring the five different permits required: climbing permit from the Ministry of Tourism, comms gear permits from the Ministry of Communications, Manaslu Conservation Area Permit, Trekking permit, and trekking ID cards for sherpas and members. Now, the team is ready to go! Our head cook, Kaji Sherpa, with porter loads of member duffels and fresh food left Kathmandu this morning (27th), to get a head start on the team.
IMG team heading to Ghorkha (Ang Jangbu)
For tomorrow morning (the 28th), the team is leaving at 6am to drive to Gorkha and then on to Arughat. There have been several landslides along the way, so they will have to switch buses in at least two places (crossing the landslides on foot, to a new bus on other side). We’ll look forward to following their progress!
Eric Simonson
August 27, 2012
Phunuru Sherpa called from Sama Gaon to report they are now loading up the new local porters to go to base camp (the low level porters from Arughat can not go to BC, as this stretch of the journey is claimed by the local men from Sama).   Phunuru says they are sending 4 of the climbing sherpas and 50 porters today up to BC today, and the rest of the loads should  go up tomorrow. They had to split the available porters with other expedition teams since there is a shortage of local porters.  The expedition members are now arriving in Kathmandu, and getting ready to hit the road!
Eric Simonson
August 24, 2012
Greg checked in yesterday evening with this report:
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Illimani from High Camp. (Greg Vernovage)
The Team is back in La Paz after a great final climb of Illimani. Â We had perfect weather on top with no wind and great views. The route was in great condition.
We are now packing up and getting ready for a final team dinner in La Paz, and will be leaving for home in the early morning tomorrow.
It has been a great trip here in Bolivia, thanks for all of the support from home!
Greg Vernovage
August 22, 2012
Moscow (Phil Ershler)
Made it to moscow. Touring the city this afternoon.
“New Maidens Convent” is one of the most peaceful spots in the city. Old Arbot Street tonight for dinner and some serious souvenir shopping.
Phil Ershler
August 23, 2012
Well, I am now back home to our HOT summer in the US and already missing Peru’s temperate winter weather. I just wrapped up leading two of IMG’s fantastic Classic Machu Picchu Treks on the Inca Trail for my second year of guiding in Peru. Before leaving, a friend asked whether I would be bored going back again this year. The answer was then and still is, a resounding NO.
Even having made the trek before, the different sites I’ve seen during my journeys make each one unique. For example, one of the most finely fitted stones that I have a framed picture of in my home wasn’t to be seen this last trip. Where did it go? I’ll search it out next year! Beyond that, the Inca Trail itself is so impressive, the views are awe inspiring and the ancient sites along the way make this trip one that I hope to do again and again into the future. I would be amiss to not mention how blessed we were to work with the incredibly knowledgeable and skilled local guide Walter Cantunta. Walter was a continuous source of information and assistance to our team.
The feeling of looking down at Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate before any tourists arrive is breathtaking. Another unique element of this program is that we are able to return the following day for one more chance to  absorb Machu Picchu. Most aren’t as lucky as me to be able to return trip after trip, and really want to maximize their time at Machu Picchu.  Our second day on site allows us to explore features that are a little more off the beaten path. For others it allows for some extra rest and relaxation in the vibrant town of Aguas Calientes. With this extra day, we offer an optional early morning ascent of Huayna Picchu, the quintessential peak just to the side of Machu Picchu. While no trails or Inca sites are recognizable from afar, it is a great hike over steep Inca steps, terraces, and even through a cave! While there is no doubt it is a hard 1+ hour ascent, especially after four days of trekking, the unique view looking directly down on Machu Picchu is unforgettable, not to mention the views of the snowcapped Andes on the horizon. In addition to climbing Huayna Picchu,  our first group was able to visit the Temple of the Moon, a rarely seen, but incredibly sacred cave site of Machu Picchu. On the second trip we opted for one last stroll through Machu Picchu and a visit to a hanging bridge and trail system clinging to a huge cliff. Both days were incredible and left us plenty of time to catch our train back toward Cusco.
After three separate trips under my belt, and watching other operations/tours on the trail, there is no doubt in my mind that WE do it right! I cannot imagine a better way to experience Peru and Machu Picchu. Hope you will join me next year for another mystical adventure and exploration of Machu Picchu.
Peter Anderson
More photos on facebook.
August 23, 2012
Manaslu from Timang. (Eben Reckord)
IMG guides Mike Hamill and Peter Anderson are somewhere over the Pacific now, heading for Nepal. Just one change of plan—they have a different objective! Recent problems with the visas and permits for Tibet for this upcoming post-monsoon 2012 season has prompted IMG to switch our autumn Cho Oyu team over to Manaslu. Manaslu is in Nepal and is the world’s 8th highest peak, at 8,156 m (26,759 ft).
Ang Jangbu in Kathmandu reports that five of the IMG Sherpa team have now started trekking into the mountain, ahead of the climbers, with the job to get Base Camp all set up and ready to go. Phunuru, Chewang, Mingma Dorje, Mingma Tenzing and Pema  travelled one day west of Kathmandu to Gorkha and then on to Arughat accompanied by 95 porter loads of expedition food, fuel, and gear. They had one day of delay due to a landslide, but were able to link up with the porters who had been hired and were waiting, and now they are all heading for the small town of Sama Gaon (11,500 ft), on the north side of the Manaslu massif. They will base out of Sama Gaon (11,500 ft) until they get the actual Base Camp (15,750 ft) ready to go up at the foot of the glacier.
We are looking forward to following the team on a big adventure!
Eric Simonson
August 22, 2012
IMG guide Greg Vernovage called on the sat phone to report that the team was successful reaching the 21,200 foot summit of Illimani and are now back to the high camp. The weather was good and they had a nice climb. Now they are packing up their tents and gear and will be descending this afternoon back down to the Base Camp. Tomorrow they will finish the descent to the jeeps and will be heading for La Paz. Congratulations, team!!
Eric Simonson
