Kili Climb #2 About to Begin.

January 28, 2012

The second Kili Team (and all their bags) are “present and accounted for” in Moshi.Â We always breathe a huge sigh of relief once we’ve got the whole group together half way around the world.Â After a quick foot tour of town and a visit to the Kilimanjaro Porter’s Assistance Project, they’ll spend the rest of the day preparing for the climb.Â Tomorrow they’ll get an early start and drive to the park gate where the climbing begins.

Adam Angel

IMG climbers enjoying a meal at the hotel in Moshi while Kili taunts them above. (Photo by Shanna Angel)

Time Will Tell For Aconcagua Team At High Camp

January 27, 2012

High Camp. (Photo by Warren Wilhide)

IMG Senior Guide, Josh Tapp, called in today at 10:30 am Seattle time to report his team with Argentine guide, Leandro Villegas, was a high camp.Â Weather was nice, somewhat warm actually.Â Some winds are forecasted for tomorrow but the team plans on getting up and taking a look.Â With a couple of contingent days remaining in their schedule, they are in perfect position to be patient and take their best shot.Â Tents are up and water is boiling.

The team remains exceptionally healthy and exceptionally strong.Â Game day is fast approaching.

Phil Ershler

Sgt. Pepper & The Hot Sauce

January 26, 2012

In case you missed it, Eben’s Aconcagua team had a couple mishaps with some produce and their byproducts.Â This IMG Blog Exclusive Follow-up illustrates what went wrong with some incredible photographic evidence. Below you’ll find a photo of the green pepper that, unfortunately, didn’t make it to base camp. You’ll also find a photo of the bottle of hot sauce that, despite the team’s discount-double-check on the security of its lid, spilled its contents into Eben’s Pack.

: The Not So Hot Sauce

: The Pepper Who Couldn’t

Even with their run-ins with these important issues, they managed to find the summit, and have a great time along the way.

Everybody is either back in Mendoza enjoying a couple R & R days or on their way home.

Tye Chapman

Aconcagua Team: Strong Like Bull

January 26, 2012

Maybe a nap after their carry to High Camp.

Got a very happy phone call this morning from C2 on Aconcagua. The crew had a great carry day to high camp. Up and down in under 3 hours. This is an exceptionally strong team and they seem to be having just a super time.

Weather is clear and sunny with about a 10 mph breeze from the north. High camp tomorrow is the plan with a summit attempt the day after.

Stay tuned.

Phil Ershler

Aconcagua Team Moved into C2

January 25, 2012

Camp 2

Josh Tapp called in from Camp 2 on Aconcagua. Couldn’t have been a better day. Sunny, warm and not a breath of wind.Â He and his team made short work of the climb today. They plan on carrying to High Camp tomorrow.

Phil Ershler

Chimborazo Summit!

January 25, 2012

Chimborazo

Kurt, Russ, Romulo and Jorge just emailed from the town of Banos to let us know that they all stood on top of Chimborazo this morning.Â Heck of a job, gang.Â This is a long, serious climb and the gang did well.Â Theyâ€™ll head back to Quito tomorrow and fly home early Friday.Â Perfect end to a great couple of weeks for all in Ecuador.

Next departure date is June 7, 2012.Â Be there with us.

Phil Ershler

Kili Team Begins Safari

January 25, 2012

Craig John called in from safari.Â After an exciting flight to Serengeti, they were treated to some pretty great viewing right off the bat.Â Leopard and lion sightings almost immediately.Â Not too shabby!Â They’ll stay in the Serengeti area tonight before moving to the Ndutu area tomorrow.Â Lot’s of well deserved R&R is in store for the next couple of days!

Adam Angel

Lion near Seronera River, Serengeti (Photo by Adam Angel)

From A Guide’s Perspective: Staying In Shape

January 25, 2012

Staying In Shape In The Off Season
By Jess Culver

Lets face it, itâ€™s hard to stay in shape between seasons. It starts when the Halloween candy comes out, gets even worse come Thanksgiving, and hits its peak somewhere between Christmas and New Years. Then, the 1st of the years rolls around and you’re a few pounds guiltier & several pounds heavier. Finding the motivation to shed this weight can be tough; here are some tips I use between seasons.

For me, I know I have to be in good shape when the Rainier season opens, which is probably in the back of a lot of your minds as well. With that in mind, I’ve found that setting smaller goals between big goals really makes the time go by a lot quicker than the alternative: 4-5 days a week on the hamster wheel. I like to sign up for a few running races in the winter & spring.Â I’ll start small, maybe a 5k, then work up to a 10k and eventually a half-marathon and then the full 26.2. There are countless programs out there that will set you up for success at these races; they work if you’re honest with yourself and stick to the program.Â And don’t be intimidated by the people that run these races, they are all smiles and are super supportive to all shapes, sizes and speeds. Trust me, you’ll have a blast.

: Jess Culver

: Jess Culver

This year I completed some of my biggest races yet. I ran a local 30K trail run here in Montana. I drove over to Spokane, WA for my first ever marathon and finished in under 4 hours (goal achieved).Â And knocked out another marathon a couple weeks ago in Arizona.

Remember: things don’t get easier; you just get better at them.

Jess Culver

One Team Off. Another Gets Ready

January 24, 2012

Hear No Evil. See No Evil.

Josh Tapp called in from Camp 1 today with good news – they carried to C2 without issue. Their feathers were ruffled a little in last night’s storm that handed them 50mph+ winds, but in the end everything held up nicely. They’re a fit crew. They’ll move to C2 tomorrow.

And Eben called in one last time to report that they are officially off the mountain.Â Just an 18 mile hike out today down a dry river bed. Wind at their backs and heads held high after a great Aconcagua Expedition. They capped the day off with a nice steak sandwich in Penitentes (hot sauce optional).

Tye Chapman

Ecuador Team Summits Cayambe

January 24, 2012

The hut on Cayambe.

Phil called from Houston, TX today. Almost home. We lost an email in cyberspace over the weekend but suffice it to say thatÂ through some persistence and route finding, most of the team tagged the top of Cayambe. A quick photo, and like horses to a barn, they cruised downhill to the hut. From there it was a seemingly short bus ride (nap-time!) to the Hot Springs of Papallacta.

They soaked their bones and raised their glasses in celebration!

Congrats on a great trip!

Tye Chapman