October 3rd, 2011

Fourteen hours after leaving high camp and it’s all done.  Great weather, great climb, great summit and even better descent.  You can’t believe how much thicker the air is at 10,000 ft. when compared to what you’re breathing at 19,340 ft.  World of difference and so much warmer, too.  A beer or two, a nice meal and it’s pretty much ‘the sleep of the dead’.  After awakening, it’s just a few short downhill hours through lush rainforest to arrive at the Park entrance at the Mweka Gate.  For now, all the stress of the summit day is gone and sleep is in order.  Congratulations, team.”

~Phil Ershler

Pole Pole (slowly slowly) around the crater rim to Uhuru Point, The Roof of Africa. (Photo by Adam Angel)

October 2nd, 2011

Just off the phone with Eben from our high camp at Barafu (15,100′) .  All is well.  It rained for 8 hours last night at Karanga, with thunderstorms, but is looking good today.  Early to bed tonight and early to rise for their shot at the summit.  The goal is to hit the crater rim as the sun crests the horizon.  Hard to describe with words; something you have to experience yourself!  They’ve put out a lot of energy getting to this point, but are in great shape and eager to keep pushing for the top.  Everything is ticking along perfectly and we look forward to hearing of their summit success soon.  Stay tuned!

~Adam Angel

Drawing the mountain closer with each step on the way to Barafu Camp at 15,100'. (Photo by Adam Angel)

October 1st, 2011

Just spoke with Eben Reckord from Karanga Camp at 13,500 ft.  Relatively easy day, no rain and skies are clear as they prepare for bed.  With a 7 day climbing itinerary, the move up to high camp tomorrow is fairly short.  Simply means that the team will be at high camp early in the afternoon and not tired from a long hike.  They’ll eat, hydrate and get to bed early.  My guess is that they’ll be on the summit so early that they’ll have to wait for the sunrise on Kilimanjaro.  Not bad – being on top and watching the sun come up over the Roof of Africa.

~Phil Ershler

Settling down for the night at Karanga Camp. (Photo by Adam Angel)

September 30th, 2011

It’s always nice to start out the morning with a sat phone call from Kilimanjaro.  Eben Reckord reported in this morning that they had a sweet day going up to and around the Lava Tower at about 14,500 ft. before heading down to camp at Baranco (13,000 ft).  They’re moving so well that the plan is to sleep late and then head up to Karanga tomorrow.  Nothing exciting to report is always good when on a big trip.  It simply means that all is going well.  We expect exactly the same news tomorrow.

~Phil Ershler

Above the clouds now! Hiking above the spectacular Baranco Wall. (Photo by Adam Angel)

September 29th, 2011

Porters on their way to Machame Camp at 10,000' (Photo by Adam Angel)

Fresh from a trip with 100% of the team reaching the roof of Africa and an amazing safari – IMG Senior Guide, Eben Reckord, is at it again.  Machame Camp at 10,000 ft. yesterday and moving well.  That’s great news as I’ve always thought the first day on the trail was one of the tougher days.  A strong trip to Machame Camp bodes well for the expedition.

Great time to be in Africa.  Summer crowds have lessened somewhat and weather remains good.  I think we’re going to hear lots of positive updates in the next few days.  Shira today and Baranco tomorrow.  Baranco is probably our favorite camp.  Views are just pretty hard to top.

Go get ‘em, Eben!

Phil Ershler