December 30, 2010
Ang Jangbu reported that the descent from Kili went smoothly. After a big celebration dinner back at the hotel, the team flew to Serengeti to begin their safari. It sounds like the wildlife got the memo that they were coming, because they saw 4 of the Big 5 on the first day, including the elusive leopard. Everyone is having a great time and the team heads for the lodge at Ndutu today.
Eric Simonson
Giraffes pose for safari spectators
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
December 28, 2010
IL 76 Russian Cargo Jet (Photo: Pat McCrann)
Nice to report that Greg Vernovage and team of 6 climbers has arrived in Punta and with all their gear.
Shopping is complete, packing is complete, their briefing is complete and they will be loading the big Russian cargo jet, an IL76, with gear this afternoon. Plan is for a flight to the Ice the morning of the 29th. Forecast is promising. That would put the team right on schedule.
When/if the calls comes tomorrow morning that the flight is a ‘go’, it’ll be a mad rush to grab that last shower and breakfast, dress, clear hotel bills and be ready for the pick up. Got to love that.
Phil Ershler
December 28, 2010
The team’s carried now to C2. That’s up and through the Ameghino Saddle and onto the upper part of the Guanacos Route. Nice. These are big days and you’ve got to give the guys/gals credit – they’re working hard. Aconcagua isn’t a technical mountain, at least by most routes, but it is a very physical one. Anyone who summits Aconcagua without porters has earned their stripes.
We are losing one of our climbers. A nasty cold has just made it too risky to continue for one member. He hung tight to C1 but knew it would only get worse up higher. Good decision. Hard sometimes to not let desire sway your judgment.
Phil Ershler
Rocky terrain makes for a strenuous ascent
December 27, 2010
One of the many vistas along the way.
Eben called on 12/26 to let us know that the carry to C1 went well. All members got the job done. It’s not an easy carry. C1 is located at just over 16,000 ft so that makes it a good pull from base camp. The terrain is a lot of lose rock, which makes the walking even more strenuous.
Next call should be to let us know that the team has moved to C1. That’s a real milestone in the trip. Getting everyone and all the gear to C1 in reasonable shape is no small accomplishment.
Phil Ershler
Follow their progress via the SPOT Tracker Eben is carrying.
December 27, 2010
View of Kilimanjaro
Ang Jangbu called in via satellite phone this morning from Mweka Camp to report that the team had a good summit day, and all have descended to camp for the night. Tomorrow they will finish their descent and make their way back to the hotel for some much deserved R&R. We’ll look forward to hearing from them tomorrow!
Eric Simonson
December 25, 2010
While you enjoy your Christmas cocoa in front of your fireplace we’ve got lots of climbers out there enjoying some cocoa of their own around the stoves and in their tents.
Happy Holidays from all of us here at IMG!
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Aconcagua
Plaza Argentina
What would most people say to celebrating Christmas at base camp on Aconcagua, at 13,600 ft? It’s a place called Plaza Argentina. Most, I think, would say “that’s nutsâ€. But that’s exactly where our current Aconcagua crew was last night, with guides Eben Reckord and Kelly Ryan. And, they’re loving it. Probably no place they’d rather be. They’re ending this year by starting a big adventure. Pretty cool, huh? So far, so good.  Always a few headaches on arrival to a new and higher altitude but it’s all par for the course. Christmas day will be a rest day for the team. They’re wishing all of us and we’re wishing all of them a very Merry Christmas!
Phil Ershler
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Vinson
Greg on Christmas Morning en route to Vinson
One Vinson expedition for this season is now complete and another one is about to begin. Senior IMG Guide, Greg Vernovage, leaves Christmas morning to meet a new team of IMG climbers for an attempt on Vinson Massif. IMG Senior Guide, Aaron Mainer, will meet them on the Ice. It’ll be Aaron’s second trip of the season. What a great New Year’s resolution – climb Vinson Massif. Now that’s what we call a heck of a way to start off the new year.
The weather is slowly warming up in Antarctica but doesn’t mean that the team can’t still experience temperatures in the minus 20-30 degree F range. It’s all relative. Christmas in the air and New Year’s on the Ice. Fairly impressive stuff. I bet they’ll sneak a little wine or champagne into the food bags.
Phil Ershler
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Kilimanjaro
The Barranco Wall trail heading for Karanga is visible climbing from lower left to upper right.
Ang Jangbu reports by Thuraya satellite phone that the team had a good hike to Barranco yesterday, at 13000 feet.  En route, the trail took them to 14,500 feet, just below Lava Tower, where the team was snowed on! They took it nice and slow, with the long ascent and descent. Great acclimatization! Everyone is doing well.  Today they will be heading to Karanga, for another night at 13,000. Machame is a great route, what a prime acclimatization profile!
Eric Simonson
December 24, 2010
7 for 7
Lots of memorable events in 2010. That’s the case every year. One very special climb was the ascent of Mt. Everest with IMG by the father/son team of John and Ryan Dahlem. John was 67 at the time of the ascent. Their Seven Summit quest began with IMG about 10 years ago with a climb of Kilimanjaro. It ended a couple of days ago at the summit of Kosciusko. Probably no way we could be happier for them.
Phil Ershler
December 23, 2010
Shira Plateau Camp looking south over Shira Cathedral Peaks.
Ang Jangbu Sherpa reports that the Kili trip is going smoothly. After the hiccups at the beginning with the missing luggage (all but two of the missing team duffels from the travel chaos in Europe finally showed up just before their departure) the team had a nice hike yesterday up through the forest to Machame Camp (at about 10,000 feet). They had a little rain during the day (that is why the forest is so lush!) but later in the afternoon the skies cleared and they had nice views of Kili from the camp in the evening. Today the team took a nice slow 6 hour pace up to Shira Plateau (about 12,500 feet). During the afternoon the clouds came in, but there was no rain, and again it cleared up in the evening. Jangbu says everyone is doing well, with only a few minor headaches, which is good news. If there is one thing we have learned over the years, it is the importance of really taking it easy for the first few days, to ensure good acclimatization! Tomorrow the team climbs to 14,500 at Lava Tower, then drops down to 13,000 at Barranco Camp.
So far, so good!
Eric Simonson
December 22, 2010
IMG Lead Guide Eben Reckord called in via sat. phone from Pampa de Lenas at 1:32 pm PST. Eben reports that the team is together and that all is well! The temperature is ranging between 90-100 deg. F, but that’s not stopping them from participating in their tent clinic! Tomorrow they head out to Casa de Piedra, about a 9 mile hike to 10,000′ if you’re keeping track. We’ll keep you posted on their progress as they check in.  Eben and the Aconcagua team are using the SPOT Tracker – you can check their current location by clicking here.
Becky Kjorvestad, IMG Office
SPOT Location of Aconcagua Team
