January 6, 2011

Returning to Vinson high camp. (Photo by Pat McCrann)

Spoke with Greg Vernovage last evening after the team had returned from a great summit day.  100% on top.  That makes 14 IMG customers with 4 IMG guides who have summited Vinson so far this season.  We couldn’t be happier for them.  And to top it off, it was pretty much a perfect weather day.  Now, that’s either good planning or a lot of luck.  Truth is that it’s probably a bit of both.  Regardless, results speak for themselves.

Today the team heads to Vinson base camp.  Flights back to the Union Glacier and then on to Punta Arenas, Chile will likely be in a couple of days.  The tentative fly day for the IL76 is January 10^th.  Who knows, maybe they get a bit more luck and get out earlier.  Regardless, not hard sitting either at VBC or the Union Glacier with the summit in hand.

Senior Guide, Mike Hamill, is now on deck with the final IMG group for the season.  Mike returns to the Ice almost annually to lead a group of IMG climbers up Vinson.  We’ll keep you posted on their progress.

Phil Ershler

January 5, 20100

Heading for the Vinson summit via the ‘variation’ ridge.’ (Photo by Pat McCrann)

We spoke with team leader, Greg Vernovage, last evening.  He was calling from high camp on Vinson Massif.  All team members reached camp today in good style and in reasonably good weather.

They were just finishing up dinner and getting ready for their summit attempt.  Best of all is the forecast.  It’s holding good.  No way the group will take a rest day now.  When the fish are running, it’s time to go fishing.  The mountain is providing the opportunity and they’ve put themselves in position to take advantage.  When the sun hits the tents, they’ll be up, getting the stoves going for a hot drink and a bite to eat, closing up the tents, getting packs on and heading for the summit.  We’ll let you know, when we know, how it all turns out.

Game day!

Phil Ershler

January 4, 2011

Heading for the start of the fixed ropes to high camp. (Photo by Pat McCrann)

The group is heading to high camp today.  All members are healthy and doing well.  One good blister but that’s manageable.  Forecast remains good for the next three days.  The team really couldn’t be in a better position.  They won’t rest at high camp after this move.  Tomorrow morning, they’ll be on their way to the top.  Sun hits high camp a little before 8 am, their time.  Figure 2 hours to get up, dressed, fed and watered and then they’ll be walking.  Around 12 hours to round trip the thing from high camp.  Sun doesn’t go behind the mountains until well after midnight so they’ll likely have a bit of warmth when they return.

Phil Ershler

January 2, 2011

Greg Vernovage called in this evening.  All continues to go well.  The team has now carried to high camp, about 12,500 ft.  They are right on schedule.  Tomorrow will be a rest day at low camp, a bit under 10,000 ft.  Weather forecast remains good.  Team remains strong.  This is all very good news.

Phil Ershler

Looking down to low camp from high camp (Photo: Pat McCrann)

All aboard the IL 76 (Photo: Pat McCrann)

December 29, 2010

The team was out the hotel door at 5:30 this morning.  It takes about 3 hours to get everyone picked up, to the airport and through security and settled in on the IL76.  Then, it’s 4 hours in the air to the new ice runway at the Union Glacier.

The adventure begins.

Phil Ershler