July 18, 2012
The team has finished their second full day of game viewing. Serengeti in the morning, Olduvai Gorge, then Ngorongoro Crater in the afternoon. The list of animals seen is long. Eben told me today about a pride of lion working on a buffalo kill. Amazing.
Elephants. (Eben Reckord)
Tonight’s the last campfire at Ngorongoro Crater. We’ll let them sleep in tomorrow morning.
Phil Ershler
July 18, 2012
With the entire team having reached the summit and the weather remaining great, it’s hard not to enjoy hiking around the Baksan Valley. Moscow soon.
Elbrus, check!
The team sends their regards.
Phil Ershler
July 17, 2012
Wings of the Serengeti (photo: Eben Reckord)
Eben left a voice message to let us know the first day on safari had gone well. They flew to the Serengeti and the first day ‘sightings’ included: crocodile, leopard, gazelle, giraffe, elephant, baboons, hippo, lion, blue-balled monkeys. He reported sunset at their private camp, sitting by the fire, was simply “amazing†and that their private dinner was “incredibleâ€. We’ll see what Day 2 brings.
Phil Ershler
July 17, 2012
Leaving Elbrus (photo: Viki Tracey)
Mike shot off an email when the team got down to Terskol. One single chair ride and a couple of tram rides, followed by a short drive does the trick. All reached the summit and all are now down safely at the hotel. A 60th birthday celebration for Dennis capped off the dinner and their evening. Two days left to explore the area around Terskol. All is well.
Phil Ershler
July 16, 2012
Getting ready to catch a plane back to Timika
IMG Guide Dan Zokaitas reports that the team has safely returned to Supaga, after two more solid 8 hour days of rugged forest hiking. Fortunately, the weather has stayed pretty good for them, with little rain. The climbers are excited to have finished the trip strongly, and now they are waiting for a flight back to Timika. Hopefully the weather holds a couple more days!
Eric Simonson
July 16, 2012
The team is resting comfortably at the hotel in Fluealp tonight.
They’ll get an early start to climb the Rimpfishorn tomorrow, then back down to Zermatt the same day.
George Dunn
July 16, 2012
Cusco at night (photo: Jason Edwards)
Guide Kelly Ryan reports that the entire team made it to Cusco with all bags intact. Â They have a planned cultural tour this afternoon, will spend the night at a hotel in Cusco and then head off on their way to the start of the trek.
They have another touring and sightseeing day tomorrow in the Sacred Valley before actually starting the trekking part of the program.
George Dunn
July 16, 2012
Climbing South Face of Rifflehorn, with The Klein in background (photo: Matt Farmer)
Day one (Sunday, July 15)Â on the Matterhorn trip was “terrific”, according to IMG guide Matt Farmer.
He sent us a photo of guide Liz Smart leading Wes C. up the South Face of the Rifflehorn. The Klein (Little) Matterhorn is in the background.
Today the team will do a short Via Ferrata (rock route with fixed protection and climbing aids) and then in the afternoon make the easy approach to the Berghotel Fluealp where they will spend the evening. The plan is to climb the Rimpfischhorn (not on the normal itinerary) and then descend back to town for the evening. Right now the plan is to stay at the Val d’Ayas hut on the Italian border on the 18th (back on the regular itinerary again) but they’ll stay flexible according to the weather and the groups’ interests.
Farmer says the Matterhorn is very snowy right now and they’ll need some good melting during the next four days if the team is to have a good shot at making the climb. Right now the forecast is for sunny weather so that is good!
George Dunn
July 15, 2012
The crew at the Mweka Gate. (Eben Reckord)
Eben called in this morning to report not only did each member have a milkshake in Moshi, they had two. Topped off, of course, with pizza. They head out on safari in the morning. I’m always anxious to hear about what they see. Each safari is different. They’ll have to go some to beat the rhino story from his last trip. Pretty cool to wake up and see a black rhino 50 meters from your private safari camp. We’ll see.
Phil Ershler
July 15, 2012
Final stretch to the top. (Viki Tracey)
Spoke this morning with Mike Hamill. The team and he were back at the high hut after having climbed Elbrus. All team members stood on top – 100%. Great news. Windy but manageable. They’ll spend the night at the hut, clean things up in the morning and then head down to their hotel in Terskol. Since the weather has been so cooperative, they’ll have both their contingent days to do a bit more climbing and likely spend a day touring the valley. Nice.
Phil Ershler
