January 17, 2012
One of the many vistas along the way.
Eben called in yesterday afternoon with an update on the team; they have successfully moved to Camp 1 @ 15,000ft on Aconcagua.
It is breezy and cold, but clear and the team is happy and healthy. Today they’ll carry to C2.
All is well.
George Dunn
January 17, 2012
Craig John and the entire Kili team have arrived in Moshi to begin preparations for the climb. All bags have arrived too! Nice to start things off smoothly. After a tour of Moshi, the team made final packing decisions and hauled their duffel bags one last time before handing them off to the porters. From here on up, “light is right.” Everyone is excited, and we are ready to kick off another great year on the mountain. Tomorrow they’ll drive up to the Machame Gate to begin their climb. Everything is in place! Stay tuned….
Adam Angel
On the way to Machame Gate. (Photo by Adam Angel)
January 15, 2012
Things don’t always go as planned, if they did this job would be boring.
The sun setting on Camp 1. (Photo by Tye Chapman)
Aconcagua
Eben called in with good news on Aconcagua, despite the recent snow, they were able to make their carry to C1. Tomorrow they’ll make the move and establish camp, tonight it’s back to Plaza Argentina for what everybody hopes is a better nights sleep.
Josh Tapp called in from Mendoza. He’s preparing for our next Aconcagua expedition. He’s one duffel bag short, but it sounds like the airlines are straightening things out.
IMG HQ/Denali Prep Training Grounds
Mt. Rainier
Greg makes it all the way from Antarctica without a hitch and what happens…? You guessed it, a storm on Mt. Rainier that forced the park to shutdown uphill traffic at Longmire. No worries, the Denali Prep crew hung tight here at HQ and did some training. Sled rigging, crevasse rescue (self-extraction), rope travel with sleds, etc. Probably easier to digest this stuff in a controlled environment anyways. Tomorrow they’ll head up to Paradise for the remainder of the program.
Ecuador
Phil called in yesterday to report that all is well in Ecuador. Their acclimatization continues today with a hike up Pasachoa (13,780ft). Then it’s off to our favorite little hacienda – Tierra del Volcan ( Volcano Land) which sits at just about 12,000ft -a perfect place to sleep and continue the acclimatization.
Tye Chapman
January 13, 2012
Ecuador Team on the Equator
Ecuador
Phil called in from Otavalo. The team enjoyed some urban acclimatization with a tour of Old Town Quito. Remember Quito sits at roughly 10,000ft so just getting around town is an adjustment. After their tour they loaded up and made their way to Otavalo, but not without a quick stop at the Equator (see photo). This evening they’ll check out some local weavers in a small town called Peguche. Tomorrow they’ll visit the Otavalo Indian Market.
Argentina
Eben dropped us a line from Aconcagua Base Camp (Plaza Argentina). All is well, though the precipitation theme continues. About an hour of snow fell this afternoon followed by some lightning and thunder; the sun also made an appearance. Their job now is to rest up and prepare for the climb. Burritos tonight and rest day tomorrow.
Chile
Greg’s route from Antarctica to Mt. Rainier continues. He’s made it to Santiago and if all goes to plan he’ll be in Seattle tomorrow afternoon, Ashford tomorrow evening and on Mt. Rainier Sunday morning.
Tye Chapman
January 12, 2012
IL-76
We received a voice mail from Greg late last night (3am in Antarctica) as they were boarding the IL-76 bound for Punta Arenas, Chile – “We’re coming home”. Schedules are hard to keep given the nature of the terrain, but this time it all went according to plan.
After a quick siesta Greg Skyped in from his hotel room to say that all went smoothly – just a long flight. They’ll clean up and head out for one last dinner to celebrate, then it’s time to jump on another long flight.
No rest for the weary… we’ve got Greg booked on our next Winter Seminar here on Mt. Rainier which starts Sunday. We figure 18 hours is plenty time for Greg to get things in order before he heads back into the field.
Tye Chapman
January 12, 2012
This will be their view tomorrow as they head to Plaza Argentina.
Eben called in this afternoon from Casa de Piedra, their second trekking camp en route to Plaza Argentina. All is well though it did rain a bit today which is quite unusual for Aconcagua. And even more unusual was the hail they received at camp. Neither bout of precip lasted much longer than 10 minutes, but it was an anomaly nonetheless.
No green peppers were reported lost today.
Tye Chapman
January 11, 2012
First trekking camp on the way to Plaza Argentina
Greg called in from Antarctica this morning to report that they’re likely to get off the ice as scheduled. Let’s hope the next phone call we get from Greg and the Vinson team is from South America! All is well otherwise – they’re just killing time. Note: killing time after having summitted is much more fun than the alternative!
Eben called in from their first trekking camp on Aconcagua (Pampa de Llenas), where they’ll enjoy one of the best meals they’re likely to see for some time. It’s IMG tradition to have some asado (grilled beef) the first night on trail. Tomorrow they’ll head up to Casa de Piedra. All is well, though they did report that one of their green peppers didn’t make it.
Tye Chapman
January 11, 2012
Eben Reckord snapped this photo on his last Aconcagua expedition at C1.
This time of year things get a little hectic in Central & South America. Let’s have a look at what’s happening to our South:
Ecuador
Phil is in the air heading to Quito today.
Argentina
One Aconcagua program has wrapped. Our second team heads out today, led again by Eben Reckord. Three days to Base Camp aka Plaza Argentina. Three more IMG Aconcagua expedition are to follow.
Antarctica
Greg and his Vinson team are still hanging tight at the airstrip at Union Glacier after having summitted last week.
On the horizon (across the world)
Three more IMG Aconcagua Expeditions
Our Patagonia Trek will get started Feb. 11.
Mexico Volcanoes (Orizaba Only) gets going Feb. 1
Kilimanjaro – Our first of 3 Kili climbs led by Craig John gets started later this week.
Our first Winter Seminar of the season gets started on Mt. Rainier this weekend.
Ice Climbing in Ouray, CO. is where you’ll find a lot of our guides this time of year.
And for the skiers, snowboarders and snowshoers alike we have our Avalanche Courses at Crystal Mountain here in Washington.
I think that’s enough for the moment.
Tye Chapman
January 7, 2012
Antarctica from above (Photo: Phil Ershler)
Just a quick note to let everyone following Greg Vernovage and team that they were able to get down to Vinson base camp the day following their summit. And, as luck would have it, they were on a Twin Otter that same afternoon and on their way to the Union Glacier. Union Glacier is where the IL 76 lands to bring folks to and take people off the Ice. This is a huge step. Now, it’s simply a matter of relaxing, eating and drinking until the IL arrives. That probably happens about the 12th. No sweat – Union Glacier camp is about as good as it’s going to get at 80 degrees south latitude.
Another great season on the Ice is complete. 100% period. All climbers and all guides on the summit and not a scratch. We’ll take it. Congratulations, team.
Phil Ershler
January 6, 2012
The summit of Vinson. The highest point in Antarctica.
Got the call on the evening of the 5th from Greg saying they were back at high camp after a successful summit climb. 100% on top. Not the best day we’ve ever seen in Antarctica but good enough. And, good enough is just fine. Summit day on Vinson is always long and tiring but a good night’s sleep, some food and hot drinks and they’ll be ready to pack up the morning of the 6th and begin the descent to Vinson base camp. One long day is all it will take. Then, the waiting game begins. The plane will get in when weather allows and all the other teams are down and ready to fly home.
Nice job, team.
Phil Ershler
