May 31, 2011

Mt. Bona, Alaska

Guide Sheldon Kerr called at 12:30pm AKDT in transit to Anchorage.  The entire team is off the mountain safely and on their way back home.

Bush pilot Paul Claus flew into the landing site on the Klutlan Glacier and picked the team up at 8am this morning.  They were transported to the state air strip at Chitina and then after sorting gear started the 4½ hour drive back to Anchorage.  First stop on the way was the shower facility at Kenny Lake and then on to Glennallen for some Thai food.  Arrangements for each of the team members are being made currently for lodging in Anchorage tonight or immediate flights back home this evening as flights are available.  If you have not yet heard from your family/loved one you can expect a call from them shortly.

My congratulations to the entire team for one of the most efficient ascents of Mt. Bona in some time.  Well done!

George Dunn

May 29, 2011

Pretty nice views. (Photo by Jim Matera)

Sheldon called in at 3pm AKDT. The whole team is now back safely at base camp.

They made an attempt on Mt. Churchill from high camp this morning but the weather was not good. Instead they descended all the way back down to base. They will call the bush pilot at 7am to give him a weather report for the landing site, and they may be flown out as early as tomorrow. Of course, it all depends on the weather.

George Dunn

May 29, 2011

Almost there. (Photo by Jim Matera)

Guide Sheldon Kerr called in yesterday at 5:30pm AKDT.

She reports that EVERYONE summited at 2:15 pm yesterday. It was “really gorgeous weather”, no wind and warm. The entire group did well. They are tired, but resting comfortably in camp. They’ll make a decision tomorrow morning, and some may elect to climb Mt. Churchill. They will then head down to the airstrip.

Again, an excellent job today by the entire group, congratulations to them all!

George Dunn

4:00 pm AKDT, May 27, 2011

Sunset. (Photo by Jim Matera)

The team is at 14,400’ just east of the “Kidney Bean” in the saddle between Bona and Churchill.  They are digging in at their high camp and all is well.  Everyone is healthy and fine, but tired.  They may summit tomorrow, depending on weather and how the group is feeling.  Otherwise they will take a rest day.

Right now the weather is “iffy” with clouds coming in and out and low visibility.  If the weather is like this tomorrow, they will take a rest day.

Clarissa Morford, IMG staff

May 26, 2011

Mt. Bona (Photo by Mike Knas)

Guide Sheldon Kerr called in this afternoon at 3:30 pm AKDT. She reports a bluebird day today. The group carried about 5 days of food and supplies up to Camp 2 (high camp) just east of the saddle between Mt. Churchill and Mt. Bona at 14,300 feet. They are set! Other than a few blisters and general tiredness, the group is in excellent health. Sheldon reports some route finding to get safely up to high camp, but the group had zero crevasse falls. Sounds like the entire team is doing an excellent job! They will continue to take it a day at a time and will take a rest day as needed, but are maximizing use of the good days while they last.

George Dunn

May 25, 2011

Follow the orange dotted line to Camp 1 - Mt. Bona, AK

Guide Sheldon Kerr called in at 3pm AKDT.  All is well!  The group moved to Camp 1 today and is now occupying it.  This is great progress for the team and they are now in a good position to take a rest day or scout the route to the next camp as weather allows.  Sheldon reports that the weather deteriorated slightly as the day progressed, but it stayed warm – about 25 degrees F.  (25 degrees on the glacier does not sound very warm but it makes for a hot hiking day on the glacier with lots of solar radiation off the snow.)  Visibility decreased to very little due to spitting snow as they continued onward, but they made camp easily with the route marked from the previous day.  It was a hard day for all – the first day with heavy packs, but the group pulled it off well.  They can now enjoy the fruits of their efforts and rest up for the next push.

Sheldon passed on a request from  Cree  to send out a big Hello to Quest and Whippoorwill!

All for now.

George Dunn

May 24, 2011

Guide Sheldon Kerr called in from Mt. Bona Basecamp at 2:30pm AKDT.  Everyone is happy and healthy.  They did a carry up to Camp 1 at 11,800 feet today.  No crevasse falls for the team or incidents during the climb.  The weather is holding good and they will move up to Camp 1 tomorrow if all are feeling up to it after a good night’s rest.

George Dunn

May 23, 2011

IMG Guide Austin Shannon called in at 3:20 AKDT (Alaska Daylight Time) to report on the Bona Team in Alaska.

They flew onto the mountain today, landing at 10,000 feet on the Klutlan Glacier. It is a gorgeous day, warm with no wind.

Austin says they just finished setting up camp at the landing site, Sheldon is off on a glacier walk with the team and everyone is feeling strong. If they are up to it they will do a carry tomorrow to the next camp at around 12,000 feet. Everyone is happy and feeling strong.

George Dunn

Mt. Bona, Alaska

May 20,

IMG Bona Base Camp from a couple years ago.

The group gear has been checked and the duffels have been packed.

IMG Guides Austin Shannon and Sheldon Kerr are off to Alaska tomorrow to meet up with our Mt. Bona climbers. On Sunday they’ll drive to Bush Pilot, Paul Klaus’ airstrip for their flight to the Wrangell/St. Elias Range. Their absolute destination will be determined by the weather, but their primary goal will be the Klutlan Glacier with Paul’s lodge as their back-up until weather clears for landing.

While the first ascent of Mt. Bona was made by Alan Carpe, Terris Moore & Andrew Taylor in 1930 this will be everybody’s first summit, minus Sheldon, who summitted a couple years ago.

Have a great climb guys!

Tye Chapman