February 7, 2012
We got a quick note and photo from Hamill this morning.
The Crew
 Hey Gang,
Attached is the team photo. The van is loaded and we’re heading up to Penitentes.
Mike
Loaded Up & Ready To Go
Kili team on safari; Craig John celebrates 20 successful ascents
Long Time IMG Guide, Craig John
February 7, 2012
Craig John called on the sat phone to report that the team is having a great time on their safari. Today they saw five leopards and a rhino in the Serengeti, which is quite unusual. The team has also been enjoying our luxury safari camp “in the bushâ€. This morning Craig said he had a hyena outside his tent! Among the evening toasts made by the team has been for Craig’s 20th successful Kilimanjaro climb (out of 20 attempts). Way to go Craig!  I remember the Craig’s very first Kili trip, as my assistant guide, many moons ago. Since then, Craig has been to the top of Africa in a variety of months, with many people, in many different weather conditions. He will be the first to tell you that every trip is different, and Kilimanjaro always seems to deliver some sort of surprise along the way. Tomorrow the team is off to Ngorongoro Crater via Olduvai Gorge, for their final day/night on safari, before heading back to civilization.
Eric Simonson
Rhino. (Photo by Adam Angel)
Cheetah on Serengeti (Photo by Adam Angel)
Aconcagua Team #5 Arrives In Mendoza
February 6, 2012
Mountain View
IMG Guide Mike Hamill, leading the fifth Aconcagua team of the season, checked in to let us know that most of the team has arrived in Mendoza with the last few members coming in this afternoon.
The food and gear is all packed, and they’ll be ready to head up to Penitentes tomorrow morning.
Becky Kjorvestad
Ready, Set, Go!
February 6, 2012
Orizaba in the distance - (Photo: Phil Ershler)
6:00 a.m. check-in call from Phil Ershler this morning. After a scenic drive to Tlachichuca yesterday, the crew had some time to sort gear & pack up, followed by dinner. A few hours’ hike today will bring them to their camp in the forest at about 12000 ft.
where they’ll spend the night acclimatizing, then hike the remaining distance to the Piedra Grande hut on Pico de Orizaba tomorrow morning. Weather continues to cooperate, good news for the team. All’s well.
Becky Kjorvestad
Orizaba Team In Mexico City
February 5, 2012
Phil called in early this morning from Mexico City, where the gang was ready to leave the hotel and move on to Tlachichuca. A good crew, favorable weather – the stage is set.
Becky Kjorvestad
Kili Team on Safari
February 6, 2012
We just heard from Craig John and the team on safari. They are enjoying some well deserved R&R! They flew to Serengeti and are basing out of our private camp for two nights. From there, they’ll move to another private camp in Ngorongoro. The wildlife viewing and weather has been very good. No doubt they’re going to bring some great pictures home!
Adam Angel
Cheetah getting ready to move in on its lunch, Serengeti. (Photo by Adam Angel)
Aconcagua Team Makes A Giant Carry To C1
February 5, 2012
Carry to C1 went off without a hitch.
They couldn’t watch the game, and I couldn’t tell who they were rooting for, but they were happy to get the score nonetheless.
Tomorrow they’ll move into C1…with a smile if they’re Giants fans.
Tye Chapman
Aconcagua Team Doing ‘Super’
February 5, 2012
Looking down on C1.
Greg checked in yesterday to report that the team is doing great. They enjoyed a nice rest day yesterday and plan on carrying to C1 today. He did ask me to keep my phone on and nearby so they could keep tabs on the big game today.
Tye Chapman
Another Kili Summit!
February 4, 2012
Craig John called in last night from the summit of Kilimanjaro. They had great weather and a fantastic climb. It was a long hard day, but the team is doing great. They should soon be walking into camp in the lowland forest. Lowland being 10,000 feet ! I’m sure it will be early to bed tonight. Tomorrow they’ll make the short easy hike to the park gate to finish off the climb. Nice work team!
Adam Angel
IMG Climbers approach the summit as twilight breaks, Kilimanjaro. (Photo by Adam Angel)
It’s A Small World
February 3, 2012
Sign on Koh Phi Phi Island in Thailand. (Photo by Tye Chapman)
Phil gave a quick call from LAX this morning as he makes his way south to Mexico to climb Orizaba next week. On his flight was IMG Guide Mike Hamill who is making his way to Argentina for another ascent of Aconcagua. The international terminals can be quite the social hub. Last fall I bumped in to IMG Guide Justin Merle in Korea after, without knowing, having been on the same flight from Bangkok 12 hours earlier.
Small world.
Tye Chapman