Kili climbers find the Rhino!

June 30, 2023

The team enjoying their last dinner in Africa (Phunuru)

Looking into Olduvai Gorge (Phunuru)

The last day of the safari was a good one, with more game viewing on the Serengeti, a visit to the famous Olduvai Gorge, and an excellent adventure into the Ngortongoro Crater.Â Phunuru reports that as predicted the elusive Rhino finally made a guest appearance down in the Crater (where they are protected by armed rangers).Â That checks the last box on the â€œBig Fiveâ€ (Cape Buffalo, Leopard, Lion, Elephant and Rhino).Â The team are now ensconced in their luxury lodge where they are enjoying their final team dinner and a pleasant evning on the terrace.Â Tomorrow they head back to Arusha for some final shopping and repacking, before getting dropped at the JRO Airport for their flights home.Â Well done team!

Eric Simonson

Safari heads to the Western Serengeti!

June 29, 2023

Flamingos on the river in western Serengeti (Phunuru)

Cheetah escaping the sun (Phunuru)

Elephants getting a drink (Phunuru)

Wildebeest heard on the Serengeti (Phunuru)

The Serengeti is an enormous ecosystem, and Seronera (where the team is staying) is practically in the center.Â Phunuru reports that today the Kilimanjaro team headed west from Seronera in their 4WD safari vehicles to successfully intersect the great migration, which is currently moving towards the north for their crossing of the Grumeti River (this is where the crocs attack the herds). They saw lots and lots of animals including the big herds of wildebeest and zebra, cheetahs chasing Thompson gazelles, lions chasing warthogs, more elephants, and many other critters.Â Now they are back to the luxury wilderness camp.Â Tomorrow they go east to Olduvai Gorge, and then drop down into the famous Ngorongoro Crater, before checking in to their safari lodge for the final night.Â Sounds like a fun time!

Audrey Simonson

Kili climbers having fun on safari

June 28, 2023

Elephants on the Serengeti (Phunuru)

Giraffes on the Serengeti (Phunuru)

Lion seen from the Land Cruiser (Phunuru)

Phunuru reports that the Kili team had a great day today out on the Serengeti.Â After flying from Arusha to Seronera they spent the afternoon on a game drive and were able to spot 4/5 of the Big 5!Â That included the Cape Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, and Lion.Â The only one not in attendance was the Rhino, but hopefully they will see them in Ngorongoro Crater in a couple days, where the Rhinos are protected by the Park Rangers from poachers. Â Now, the team is â€œglampingâ€Â the night away at a luxury safari camp with comfortable beds under canvas, a terrific cook staff, all the amenities, and many animals in the vicinity.Â During the night the staff will post a camp guard to shoo any critters away from camp!

Eric Simonson

Full Swing In Washington

June 28, 2023

Climbers on the Kautz (Patty O’Rourke)

We are finally in full swing down here in Washington State. Today we have six teams in the field from six different programs. Our climbs on the Disappointment Cleaver, Kautz Glacier, Little Tahoma are all enjoying the sunny weather on the mountain. Our Emmons team, led by Nickel Wood, returned to HQ today after a summit and a smooth climb while our 4.5 day DC Seminar completed their skills day at Paradise today and will be heading up tomorrow morning to Camp Muir.Â In the North Cascades, we have a Mt. Baker North Ridge climb out the door led by Max Bond.

All’s well in Washington!

Audrey Simonson

Back to Moshi

June 27th, 2023–

Kilimanjaro team holding up their summit certificates (Phunuru)

The Kilimanjaro team had a smooth descent from the summit, yesterday, down to the Mweka Camp.Â This morning they were up early and finished off the descent ion a few hours of hiking back to the Mweka Gate.Â Â Then, they headed back to Moshi, stopping to do some shopping along the way in the local market.

After getting cleaned up, packed up and maybe enjoying a beer or two this afternoon, Â the team had Â a celebration dinner with their local Chagga guides.Â Tomorrow they are departing about 8am for Arusha, from where they are scheduled to fly to the Serengeti, for the beginning of their safari.Â So far so good!

Climbers on the descent heading towards the Mweka Gate

Team enjoying a beer after their climb

IMGD Denali 2023 Wrapped-Up

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!

100% Kilimanjaro Summits!

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.Â 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.Â 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.Â Well done team!

Kilimanjaro climbers walking uphill while the sun rises in the background

Kilimanjaro Summit Bid Tonight

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.Â 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.Â 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.Â With any luck, that should put them on the summit shortly after sunrise!Â Fingers crossed for them, weâ€™ll keep you posted!

On the way to Barafu (Phunuru)

IMG Denali Teams 3 & 4 Fly Off

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.

Kili Climbers reach Karanga Camp

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).Â The up and down traverse route took them first up the Barranco Wall, with a short steep place, where you need to â€œuse your handsâ€ for a move or two.Â 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).Â The actual Karanga campsite is on the east edge of the valley, with nice views of the Barafu Route on the right skyline.Â 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)