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
January 4, 2012
Vinson Ridge. (Photo by Phil Ershler)
Another good day on the Ice. Weather improved and Greg and team moved up to high camp. Winds about 10 mph kept the walk into camp plenty cool. Team is preparing dinner and gear for a probable summit attempt in the morning. Forecast is encouraging and they’re exactly where they should be to take advantage of a break in the weather. Hoping we hear great news by this time tomorrow evening.
Phil Ershler
January 4, 2012
Park Ranger Margaret Anderson, 34, was fatally shot on Sunday, January 1 at Mount Rainier National Park. After a driver failed to pull over during a routine traffic stop, Ranger Anderson set up a road block to intercept the driver. The assailant got out of his vehicle and shot Ranger Anderson and then fled on foot. It took 90 minutes for back-up to reach Ranger Anderson because the assailant continued shooting at law enforcement as they arrived. Visitors at the Paradise area were in lock-down at the Jackson Visitor Center along with park staff through the day.
The shooter remained at large through the night. Park staff were assisted in the search for the shooter by Pierce County Sherriff’s Department, Washington State Patrol, and the FBI.
On Monday the 2nd, an aircraft spotted a body lying face down in the vicinity of Narada Falls. Searchers on the ground traversed challenging terrain to reach the subject and confirmed his identity as Benjamin Colton Barnes, the suspect in the shooting. Officials confirm that Barnes was found dead. He apparently died of exposure during the night.
Margaret is survived by her husband Eric, also a National Park employee and two small children.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family.
Source: NPS
January 3, 2012
The view up valley from C1. (Photo by Phil Ershler)
Just spoke with Greg. They made the right call, even yesterday, with taking a rest day at C1 today. Weather was iffy and no reason to move higher into bad weather. They’re in a great position to hang tight and take their shot when the weather says now.
If winds die and weather improves tomorrow, they’ll head for high camp.
Phil Ershler
January 3, 2012
One of the many excellent views. (Photo by Mike Crowley)
Got word from Greg late last night. They had a great day carrying to high camp. Weather was pretty much flawless. Tomorrow looks like a good day for a rest at C1 and some additional acclimatization. They need 2 good days of weather to move up to high camp and take a shot at the summit. All’s good, so far.
Phil Ershler
January 2, 2012
Early on New Year’s day, the first IMG team of the season stood on top of Aconcagua. Weather was exceptionally good from high camp to the summit and then a nasty snowstorm on the way down. All are tired, but safe and happy.
Today they’re descending to Plaza Mulas on the Horcones Valley side. Doing a ‘traverse’ allows the crew to get down and out quicker. Plus, it’s just more fun and gives the team an opportunity to see this other side of the mountain.
Good way to start the New Year.
Phil Ershler
Aconcagua (Photo: Phil Ershler)
