June 26th, 2023–
Denali climbers taking a break and enjoying the view (Jonny Schrock)
That’s a wrap on IMGD Denali 2023. All teams have flown off the glacier and made it home. Thank you for all those who were following along!
June 26th, 2023–
Kilimanjaro climbers on the summit (Phunuru)
Phunuru reports the team had a very nice summit climb today, ascending the Barafu Route to Stella Point, then traversing the crater rim to reach the true summit (Uhuru Peak) shortly after dawn. What a gorgeous morning!
The climbers are now on their way down to the thick air at Mweka Camp, near treeline at about 10,000ft. Tomorrow they will finish off the descent to the Mweka Gate, where they will meet the vehicles for the ride down to the hotel in Moshi. Well done team!
Kilimanjaro climbers walking uphill while the sun rises in the background
June 25, 2023–
The team at Barafu Camp (Phunuru)
Phunuru Sherpa reports that the team made it up to Barafu Camp (about 15,000 ft) in good form this morning. After enjoying a hearty hot lunch, the team retired to the tents for the afternoon to rest and hydrate in preparation for the summit bid. They will have a supper tonight, then get a few hours of sleep before getting up about 11pm, with a departure time planned for about midnight. With any luck, that should put them on the summit shortly after sunrise! Fingers crossed for them, we’ll keep you posted!
On the way to Barafu (Phunuru)
June 24th, 2023–
The view on a clear day at the helicopter strip.
IMGD Teams 3 and 4, led by Jonny and Forrest, respectively, have landed safe back into the world of warm showers and the smell of trees in Talkeetna, AK. The group is enjoying their last moments in Alaska together before they fly back to their respective homes.
IMGD Team 5, led by Rowan, plans to fly off the glacier in the next coming days turning around due to avalanche risks in recent storms. The team reports all is well as they make their descent towards home.
June 24th, 2023–
Kilimanjaro from Karanga Camp (Eric Simonson)
It was another perfect weather day on the trail for our Kili climbers, as they continued their acclimatization with a nice hike from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp (again at about 13000 ft). The up and down traverse route took them first up the Barranco Wall, with a short steep place, where you need to “use your hands†for a move or two. Great views awaited the team at the top of the Wall, from where the trail winds along below the Southern Glaciers, to the Karanga Valley, which is the last water source (water for the Barafu Camp needs to be carried up from here). The actual Karanga campsite is on the east edge of the valley, with nice views of the Barafu Route on the right skyline. Tomorrow the team will get an early start and climb to Barafu Camp in the morning, so they will have all afternoon to relax and prepare for the summit climb!
Traversing to Karanga Camp (Phunuru)
The steep spot on the Barranco wall (Phunuru)
June 24, 2023
Lava Tower Camp is the lunch spot and high point for the day resized (Phunuru)
Hanging out at Barranco Camp with the Breach Wall behind (Phunuru)
On the trail to Barranco Camp (Phunuru)
Phunuru reports another gorgeous day on Kilimanjaro. The team all did well, ascending to Lava Tower Camp (4600m / 15000 ft) where they enjoyed a hot lunch prepared by their cooks, before descending to the Barranco Camp at 13000 ft. Tomorrow the team will continue traversing around the south side of Kilimanjaro to Karanga Camp, again at about 13000 ft. This is perfect acclimatization —climb high and sleep low!
Eric Simonson
June 22, 2023
IMG Kili climbers take a break on their way to Shira Plateau
IMG’s indefatigable Phunuru Sherpa reports that the June Kilimanjaro team members are all doing well. The weather has been excellent, despite some clouds (but no rain) down low. Yesterday the team trekked up through the forest to the Machame Camp at treeline. After a pleasant night there, today they emerged from the forest and climbed up to the Shira Plateau camp (about 12,500 ft). Now they are well into the “zone of weird plants†with the strange high altitude equatorial species like the groundsel and lobelia in abundance.   From the Shira Plateau there are great views of Kilimanjaro and also Mt Meru, near Arusha.  Tomorrow the team will head to the Barranco Camp. So far so good!
Eric Simonson
June 21, 2023
Emmons sunrise (adri yarkin)
Happy to report that we’ve been having one heck of a season on Mt. Rainier thus far! Almost all of our summit climbs have touched the top, including our 3.5 Day Disappointment Cleaver climb led by Stu Johnson that returned to Ashford today. We’re hopeful that the good weather and good route conditions hold through the summer, into the fall.
Audrey Simonson
June 21, 2023 – IMGD Team 5 led by Rowan Stewart continues to wait at 14 Camp in inclement weather, hoping for a weather window to make a summit attempt in the coming days.
IMGD Teams 3 and 4 led by Jonny Schrock and Forrest Baldwin are at Denali Base Camp awaiting clear weather to fly back to Talkeetna in the coming days.
All is well on Denali!
Looking out the plane (Drew O’Brien)
June 20, 2023–
The team enjoying town (Phunuru Sherpa)
Lead Guide Phunuru Sherpa called in and noted all is well with the team in Moshi. The team has been busy enjoying the sites of town, packing up, and gearing up to be ready to head towards the Machame Gate in the morning. The team will begin the climb through the forest to the Machame Camp near treeline at ~9600ft.
Stay tuned for more information about our Kilimanjaro Expedition. All is well!
The team enjoying dinner together (Phunuru Sherpa)
