February 2, 2011
One of our Vinson teams had a little extra time on the ice in Antarctica… 
The Picture Of Success
The Picture Of Success. (Photo by Ranbir Lally)
Eight climbers with three guides were on Aconcagua Team #3. All eleven stood on the summit. And, they sure look happy.
Congratulations, team.
Phil Ershler
One Ends, Another Begins
February 1, 2011
On the road to Aconcagua. (Photo by Doug Ingram)
Team 3 is back in Mendoza as of last evening. Peter Anderson reports that a long day of hiking and travel led everyone back to Mendoza last evening. Some members will begin flights home today while others will take another day to relax prior to heading home. Hugely successful, safe and happy, this expedition now ends.
But one more group remains for Aconcagua this season. IMG Senior Guide, Mike Hamill, reports from Mendoza that all team members arrived and with all their luggage. Today, they head to Penitentes to finalize their preparations and packing and to spend one more night in a bed before tackling Cerro Aconcagua. We’ll be wishing them good weather and good health. Those are two big ingredients, now. Let’s see how the group does.
Phil Ershler
100% on Top of Aconcagua
A View From the Top of South America (photo: Doug Ingram)
January 29, 2011
Just spoke with Senior Guide, Peter Anderson, on the summit of Aconcagua. 100% on top. Weather is perfect. Perhaps 5 cm of snow overnight. Winds were 20-25 kph when the team started at 5:30 am, their time. However, the wind continued to die throughout the morning, and Peter reports balmy conditions on the summit. The team played their strengths and the weather perfectly. Tremendous effort and a huge success. It couldn’t have gone better.
Phil Ershler
Update: Aconcagua Team At High Camp
January 28, 2011
Summit Day Tomorrow?
Just spoke with Senior Guide, Peter Anderson. The entire group got to high camp in good form. All are now tucked away for the evening. Forecasts show a possible summit day for tomorrow. Winds in the 20-30 km/h range and light precipitation. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for the team. Their plan is to stick their heads out the tent early tomorrow and, if conditions allow, head uphill.
Phil Ershler
Team 3 Eyes Possible Summit Attempt Tomorrow
January 28, 2011
High on Aconcagua. (Photo by Doug Ingram)
IMG Senior Guide, Peter Anderson, reported last evening that the team tagged Camp 3 (High Camp), left a cache and descended to Camp 2 for the evening. This is all great news. Even better is that all team members were healthy and climbing strong. Let’s see if they can make it to Camp 3 today. If so, and they’re feeling OK, it means that Saturday could be their first shot at a possible summit attempt.
Phil Ershler
Next Stop Ngorongoro Crater
January 27, 2011
Elephants having a snack. (Photo by Ang Jangbu Sherpa)
Justin reports from the bush that the safari is going well. They flew to Serengeti yesterday and had an afternoon game drive in the Seronera area, where they were able to see one of the elusive leopards, in a tree.  Today they traversed the Serengeti to Ndutu, where they are now at a classic lodge. The Migration is in full swing with lots of animals, and everyone is having fun! Tomorrow they head for Olduvai Gorge and Ngorongoro Crater.
Eric Simonson
Team 3 At Camp 2 – Eyes On The Weather
January 27, 2011
A nice view en route to C2. (Photo by Doug Ingram)
We heard from Peter Anderson and Team 3 last evening. Camp 2 has now been occupied and the team continues to do well. Now, the strategy game gets more difficult. They’re watching the weather and the forecast, trying to get a feel for when a summit window will be available. And, the guides are watching their team. You can’t push too hard or too fast or you burn someone out. But you want to be in position to take advantage of any openings the mountain gives you up high, and it will. The trick is to be in position when the time is right.
It’s been a bit windy but that’s not unusual for Aconcagua. And, the higher they climb, the better the views.
Stay with us and we’ll see how this unfolds.
Phil Ershler
Recipe For A Perfect Trip
January 26, 2011
Cotopaxi from above. (Photo by Jorge Anhalzer)
Add equal parts of a great group of climbers, great local guides, three decades of running the program, perfect weather, a friendly country with beautiful mountains and then stir. The result is a mixture for the perfect trip. I know you’ve followed the posts but it’s hard to do justice regarding the true flavor of a trip in short posts. You have to experience it. At the end, that’s what it’s all about – the experience.
IMG and I want to thank all of our climbers for two super weeks. I hope all our team members feel the same but I wouldn’t have changed a thing.
Phil Ershler
Aconcagua Team #3 At C1
January 25, 2011
A view of C1 from the trail to C2.
IMG Guide Peter Anderson called in to report that all is well at Camp 1. The team carried in some windy conditions today (30mph+) and will make the move to C 2 tomorrow. All continues to go well for the team.
The forecast calls for some windy days (normal for Aconcagua) and a few snow showers mid week. Temps have been, and will remain, in the high teens and low 20’s (Fahrenheit) on the middle mountain.
Tye Chapman