December 26, 2011
Merry Christmas from Aconcagua. (Photo by Eben Reckord)
After a big carry day on Christmas to C1, the team wanted to take the opportunity to send Christmas greetings and a photo from base camp.
They’re on the move again today, the 26th, heading for C1 at 16,000 ft.
Phil Ershler
December 26, 2011
Mike Hamill just called in with an update from Barafu. Everyone is content and bedded down for a few hours of rest before the big effort. If they time it just right (which we usually do) they’ll step onto the crater rim as the sun peeks over the horizon tomorrow morning. We’ll keep you up to date here on the blog when we get our next report from Mike. Have a great climb team!
Adam Angel
IMG Kili Team high on the mountain. (Photo by Adam Angel)
December 25, 2011
A carry to C1 is a tough present to open. (Photo by Tye Chapman)
Nice rest day at base camp. Plaza Argentina is about 13,600’. The team called in from there on Christmas Eve. Mellow day to rest, sort gear, eat and drink. Burgers were on the menu.   Christmas day will be a big carry to Camp 1, around 16,200’ Heck of a way to spend the holidays. They send Christmas greetings to everyone.
Phil Ershler
Decmeber 25, 2011
The view of Kili after dinner at Karanga Camp. Good climbing weather! (Photo by Adam Angel)
In between handing out presents and making coffee this morning we got a sat phone call from Mike and the team at Karanga Camp. They finished up another rewarding day, had a huge dinner, and are getting ready for one more full night’s sleep before heading up to Barafu High Camp. The weather is still holding well and they expect nice dry weather for summit day. Mike said the team wanted to wish everyone at home a Happy Holiday. I told them that all of us at home following the team wish them the same and that we also wish them success over the next couple of days. There’s a lot of good hard work ahead!
Adam Angel
December 24, 2011
Aconcagua and the Polish Glacier. (Photo by Phil Ershler)
The team all reached Aconcagua base camp, or Plaza Argentina, on the 23rd. A couple of headaches, to be expected, but nothing serious. A quart of water and some extra attention to breathing always helps. Checking in with the Argentina Park officials at base camp, resting, eating and drinking are the order of the day. The team’s in good shape as they’ve now completed their approach. Now, 3 camps need to be established, food and fuel put into place. One step at a time.
Phil Ershler
December 24, 2011
Approaching the southern slopes above Shira Camp. (Photo by Adam Angel)
After the steep climb to Shira Camp, the entire team tackled the long and rewarding day to Baranco Camp at 13,000′. This was the team’s first foray over 14,500′. As the old mantra goes, “climb high, sleep low.” Mike called in on the sat phone this morning to give us an update and everyone is strong and healthy. The weather is good and everything is ticking along like clockwork. Sleep, eat, climb, repeat! They KNOW they’re on Kilimanjaro now after hiking around the famous Lava Tower and getting a close up look at the flanks of the upper mountain. They’ll get a good night’s sleep, before tackling one of the most spectacular days of the climb tomorrow (other than summit day). The Baranco Wall is steep and sporty. Keep up the strong work team!
Adam Angel
December 23, 2011
Hiking through the forest at the beginning of the Machame Route. (Photo by Eric SImonson)
After arriving in Moshi with all their gear (always a good way to start an expedition) the IMG December Kili team has now started up the mountain. Today they traveled by jeeps to the Machame trailhead (about 5900 ft), where they met their Chagga porter crew.
Today the climb is in the forest the entire way. Starting as a wide path down low with huge trees and monkeys, the route soon becomes a trail which climbs steadily, as the trees get smaller. Tonight they are at the Machame Camp (about 9,800 ft) which is at timberline, so hopefully they will catch their first close up views of the mountain..
Eric Simonson
December 22, 2011
Casa de Piedra. (Photo by Phil Ershler)
Quick phone call this afternoon from the team at Casa Piedra, their second camp on the approach to Aconcagua base camp. A bit breezy the last couple of hours into camp but no problem. Everyone’s doing well.
They wanted everyone to know that dinner tonight was a tortellini with their homemade zucchini, onion and meat sauce. Plaza Argentina (base camp tomorrow.
Phil Ershler
December 22, 2011
Left to right: Mike Hamill (4x - 2008-2011), Justin Merle (4x - 2006, 2008-2010), Eric Simonson (1991), Tap Richards (2006), Phil Ershler (2x - 1984 & 2002), Heidi Richards (2006), Jason Edwards (2001), Ang Jangbu (1990), Eben Reckord (2010), George Dunn (1991), Greg Vernovage (2010). (Photo by Tye Chapman)
Last Thursday, in honor of Ang Jangbu being in the USA, we made some calls and invited a few folks over for a slice of pizza and a beer.
The result: a room filled with friends, family, loved ones as well as 11 IMG Guides representing 18 Everest summits. Pretty cool stuff!
Tye Chapman
December 22, 2011
Cerro Aconcagua. (Photo by Phil Ershler)
The first Aconcagua team for the 2011/12 season is on the trail. Guides Eben Reckord, Kelly Ryan and Martin Lucero met in Mendoza on December 17 to make final food purchases and organize gear. The team arrived on the 19th, did gear checks and then secured their permits the morning of the 20th, prior to heading towards the mountain and a place called Penitentes. One night there at the hotel and the approach began the morning of the 21st. They reached Pampas de las Lenas that day and spent their first night on the trail there. So far, so good. A relatively easy day for everyone.
They’re off so stay tuned. We’ll continue dispatches over the holidays as much as we are able.
Phil Ershler
