September 16th, 2011.
The group is settling in for their third night on the mountain. They’ve had a big day and everyone is very tired, so they should sleep well tonight! The plan tomorrow is to ascend the Breach Wall and traverse below the Southern Glaciers. This is our favorite day on the approach, with great scenery and rugged hiking.
~Adam Angel
Climbers on Kilimanjaro (Photo by Adam Angel)
September 15th, 2011
Eben Reckord called in this morning to give us an update on the group. After a slow and steady climb the group has reached Shira Camp on the edge of the plateau. The group is doing well and is staying healthy, but also feeling the altitude. It takes a lot of effort to climb Kilimanjaro and they will have many tough and rewarding days like this one. Tomorrow they head for Baranco Camp, climbing up to 15,000 feet before dropping down to camp at 13,000. It sounds like they are all up to the task!
~Adam Angel
Walking through the awesome terrain and flora on the way to Shira Camp. (Photo by Adam Angel)
September 15, 2011
IMG guide Mike Hamill reports by sat phone that the Shishapangma team are all safely back down to ABC, after their Camp 2 rotation. Camp 2 is now well established at 22,800 feet. Starting tomorrow, the sherpas are heading back up to start working on the route to Camp 3 (about 24,500 feet). The members plan a series of rest days now at ABC. Mike says that some other teams have now arrived at the mountain, so hopefully some of them can also go up and work on the route.
Rest day at Shishapangma ABC (photo by Eric Simonson)
Right now the weather remains decent, with the jet stream still well to the north and the core of the monsoon to the south of the Himalayas. There is some moisture getting sucked up from the south, so some occasional snowfall, but no big storms on the horizon.
Eric Simonson
September 14, 2011
Cho Oyu Climbing Route
Ang Jangbu reports that 6 Sherpas (Ang Pasang, Danuru I (Dawa), Karma Rita, Ang Karma, Phinjo Dorje and Kancha Nuru)  left ABC at 5 this morning to go to camp 2. Their plan is to carry to Camp 2 and then come back to Camp 1 for the night. Then, tomorrow, they will make another carry from 1 to 2 and drop down to ABC. Tomorrow Danuru II, Mingma Tenzing and Mingma Dorje will go up from ABC to join the rest of the Sherpa team, and a couple of them will wait at Camp 1 for Max and his team climbing up from ABC tomorrow. Craig and his team are at ABC now, enjoying a couple good rest days.
Eric Simonson
September 14, 2011
September 14, 2011.
Day one complete! It’s quite the journey from Moshi up to the Machame Gate where the climb begins. Here, the group meets their local team of cooks, servers, tent porters and support staff. After lots of gear shuffling and a great day on the trail, the team has made it to their first camp (10,000′). Eben reports that they are strong and having a great time. They are ready for the big elevation gain tomorrow to their next camp on the Shira Plateau. Everything is ticking along on schedule.
~Adam Angel
Porters carrying loads to Machame Camp. (Photo by Adam Angel)
September 13, 2011.
Eben Reckord checked in to let us know that the whole team has arrived safely in Moshi and is resting up from the long flights. After a good rest, they’ll check out the local market, visit with our good friends at the Kilimanjaro Porter’s Assistance Project, and get ready for “The Main Event.” The team is super excited to start the climb. Almost “Go” time!
~Adam Angel
September 12, 2011
Morning shot of Cho Oyu from ABC.
Dear Eric,
The fixing team has started to fix above Camp 1 this afternoon. Their plan is fix high as they can towards Camp 2 tomorrow and drop back down to ABC.
Our team up at Camp 1 plans to climb high up by the Ice Cliff , on the way to Camp 2 and return to Camp 1. They might decide to spend the third night at Camp 1 before returning to ABC on the 15th.
We have 3 more sherpas: Karma Rita, Phinjo Dorje and Kancha carrying again tomorrow to camp 1. Dawa and Ang Karma will take a rest day tomorrow (they came down with Max’s team yesterday).  Max and his team: Lisa, Markus and Dan plans to move up on the 15th.
Regards,
Ang Jangbu Sherpa
September 10, 2011
Looking up from Camp 1. (Photo by Greg Vernovage)
Good reports from Tibet from IMG Guides Craig John and Mike Hamill overnight.
Hamill reports that the Shishapangma team is on their second of three rest days at Advanced Base Camp after their Camp 1 Rotation. The Sherpas are higer on the mountain working on the route to Camp 2. After a good rest they’ll make the move to C2.
Over on Cho Oyu Craig John reports that the team is finishing up their C1 rotation and will also make their move to C2 in a couple days.
All good things!
Tye Chapman
September 9, 2011
The annual Fall Flight went off without a hitch earlier this week on Mt. Rainier. We successfully flew up several cylinders of propane, a new floor to our Weatherport and a few other odds and ends. IMG Partners Phil Ershler and Eric Simonson, who combined have been to Muir over 1000 times, couldn’t be kept away – they were hands on with the installation along with IMG Guide Luke Reilly.
Hard work no doubt, but I think there was more fun had than anything. Give these guys a chance to roll their sleeves up and get after it and they’re as happy as can be. You gotta love it when the owners are first in line to get to work. George will go up this weekend and give their craftsmanship a once over as he heads uphill on his second climb this week. 506…507… Good stuff!
Tye Chapman
